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Open champions feature on Wizard of Oz playlist

Brighouse & Rastrick make an appearance on James Morrison's 'Top Brass Christmas' programme on Radio 2.

Top Brass
  The programme is hosted by James Morrison (image: BBC/Cameron Bloom Photography)

Brass bands continue to make a musical impression on the BBC with British Open Champion Brighouse & Rastrick being featured on a new Christmas show on Radio 2.

'A Top Brass Christmas' is presented by the great Australian multi-instrumentalist James Morrison — and it is also acting as something of an aperitif for a new series of his 'Top Brass' show in January.

Festive favourites

'The Wizard of Oz' brings together some festive favourites, introducing carols, songs and lots of seasonal brass music.

There's jazz from Chet Baker and Gunhild Carling, big band from Tom Kubis, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and The Airmen of Note, carols from Brighouse & Rastrick and The New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, plus brassy pop covers from Oompah Brass, Aubrey Logan, and Back Chat Brass.

James also compiles his own 'Top Brass Nutcracker Suite' and plays original arrangements of festive classics by the likes of Imperial Brass, Riot Jazz, Bone-a-Fide Trombone Quartet, the Red Light Brass Band, German Brass, and the Funky Butt Brass Band!

To enjoy:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ghk9

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2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Katrina Marzella-Wheeler

January 21 • We catch up with the Scottish conductor to find out more about the programme to be performed by the RNCM Brass Band on the weekend in Manchester.


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North West Area line-ups announced

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The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

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Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


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Mereside Brass

January 21 • MERESIDE BRASS are excited to be starting the New Year with a new MD! To complete our happiness, we would love to welcome a FLUGEL player and a PERCUSSIONIST to join our team. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials


West Yorkshire Brass

January 20 • We are a friendly and welcoming non-competing band based in the Bradford area of West Yorkshire. We play at various events in Yorkshire throughout the year. We have vacancies for Eb and BBb basses. Instruments provided if required


wantage silver band

January 20 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacant 2ND CORNET position. This would suit a player with experience in a championship or first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

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