*
banner

Hutchinson and Farr head IBBSS Gala Concert

Tom Hutchinson and Owen Farr will be the featured soloists on the International Brass Band Summer School Gala Concert this year — and you can be part of it.

Hutchinson and Farr
  Tom Hutchinson and Owen Farr lead the Gala Concert attractions

Details have been announced of the free Gala Concert which will close the 2023 International Brass Band Summer School course which is being held at Swansea University Campus from 31st July — 5th August.

There are still places available for the week of fun music making led by Prof Nicholas Childs and his team of world class tutors which will culminate in the concert at the Great Hall on the Swansea University Bay Campus site on Friday 4th August (7.00 pm).

The concert will feature sets by the Symphony and Cardinal Bands and will include classics such as 'An Italian Girl in Algiers', 'Poet and Peasant', Peter Graham's 'Shine as the Light' and Paul Lovatt-Cooper's new work 'Above and Beyond'.

The massed band items will include music by John Rutter with the grand finale of Dvorak's 'Finale' to the 'New World Symphony'.

Star soloists

Featured soloists will be Cory principal cornet, Tom Hutchinson and virtuoso horn star Owen Farr.

Prof Childs told 4BR: "It's a fantastic venue to host a wonderful Gala Concert featuring world class soloists and plenty of great music.

The venue hosted the Welsh Regional Championships a few years ago and offers a superb acoustic and plenty of comfortable seats to sit back and enjoy it all. All this and it is all free!"

Book a place

The IBBSS course is once again sponsored by principal partner Geneva, as well as World of Brass, Rath Trombones, Adams Percussion, Denis Wick, Brass Band World and Kapitol Promotions.

There are still a few places available on the 2023 course; for further details contact Alison Childs, alison4horn@btinternet.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


iNSTRUMENTS

Trump tariffs set to raise instrument prices in USA

August 13 • A new tariff proposal on imports, parts and accessories on brass and wind musical instruments draws criticism about national security issues.


willebroek

Willebroek's sixth sense pays off with Band Academy

August 13 • Over 60 young players enjoyed six days of Belgian music making on their sixth Academy course.


Harper

Harper enjoys Cory reconnection in Japan

August 13 • Philip Harper has made a Cory link in Japan to help inspire musicians on the Ageo Band Camp in Saitama.


Bruce Broughton

BrookWright Music: 11 March 1917 (Bruce Broughton)

August 13 • A moving euphonium solo from the pen of the critically acclaimed American composer Bruce Broughton.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waterbeach Brass

August 14 • Waterbeach Brass are a friendly and ambitious 2nd section band just north of Cambridge, looking for Tutti cornet, Eb bass and Tuned percussion to complete their lineup.. . Rehearsals on a Monday night- 7:45-10pm at Waterbeach Barracks.


Brunel Brass Organisation

August 13 • Brunel Brass is looking for a BACK ROW CORNET to complete the band. Challenging for promotion to the Championship Section in 2027 and achieving our highest ever result at the British Open Senior Trophy in 2026, it's an exciting time to join the band!


Chinnor Silver

August 12 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meets again on MONDAY (17th) in our bandroom at 11am. We welcome players of all abilities who want a friendly relaxed rehearsal with tea and cake.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band it’s just an extra blow.


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd