*
banner

Sovereign benefits from Royal connections

Midlands First Section Regional Champion is one of many bands to benefit from the influx of brass band students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Soveeign Brass
  The band is conducted by Alan Gifford and has five under gradustae students in their ranks

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire continues to offer its students exciting opportunities to link up with brass bands in the Midlands as well as further afield.

Resurgence

Sovereign Brass, who are enjoying a real resurgence in form in 2023 following victories at the First Section Midlands Regional Championships and the inaugural ConsTest Championships held at the Conservatoire is one such band.

Alongside their MD, Alan Gifford who is in his final year doing a Masters Conducting Course a recent concert saw them field under graduate players Tom Stevenson, Ellie Bagshaw, Teresa Fischer, Vakare Gikyte and Jordan Kinsey in the ranks.

The Conservatoire is offering wonderful musical opportunities for their talented students, and we have certainly benefittedSovereign Brass

Opportunities

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The Conservatoire is offering wonderful musical opportunities for their talented students, and we have certainly benefitted.

As was shown with the recent ConsTest contest, there is a progressive outlook in making links to the banding movement and bands such as ours, and our thanks go Ian Porthouse and his team for encouraging it in such a positive way."

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    


mARZELLA

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.


Kaitlin

CBSO boosted by Wild trumpet addition

January 21 • The brass section of another leading British orchestra is boosted by the arrival of a brass band player as Kaitlin Wild joins the trumpet section of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.


Blackpool

North West Area line-ups announced

January 21 • The list of bands and judges have been confirmed for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool in February.


mINING

Brass band mining heritage celebrated

January 21 • Visitors to the National Coal Mining Museum for England can now enjoy finding out more about the long and proud connection between brass bands and the industry.


The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Hammonds Band

Sunday 26 January • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

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


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

January 22 • Reading Band (current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables and 2024 4th section National Finalists) needs BASSES! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings with our new MD Stephen Bucknell.


The Harrogate Band

January 22 • The Harrogate Band are looking for a front row cornet player to join them at the 1st Section North of England area contest and beyond! With a great bandroom, a wide range of engagments and a committed team, we'd love to see you.


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


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd