*
banner

Harrogate set to welcome last of Summer School delegates

Players will head to Harrogate Ladies College this coming week for a week of musical challenges and attractions.

Harrogate
  Besson will be supporting the course

The last of the major brass band summer schools take places this coming week in Harrogate when delegates enjoy being part of the Brass Band Summer School led by Dr Robert Childs.

It takes place at Harrogate Ladies College from Tuesday 8th August to Friday 11th, with non-delegates able to visit on Thursday 10th August to enjoy a flavour of what takes place and to attend the evening concert.

Leading tutors

Tutors include many of the leading performers from the brass band movement and beyond — including David Childs, Owen Farr, Les Neish, James Fountain, Chris Bradley, Becky Smith, Matthew McCombie, Zoe Lovatt-Cooper and Mike Cavanagh.

Delegates will perform in one of two bands — the Imperial and Sovereign ensembles with a wide range of repertoire to explore and enjoy, including 'Penlee' by Simon Dobson, 'Connotations' by Edward Gregson, 'Triumphant Rhapsody' (Vinter) and 'Lions of Legends (Thierry Deleruyelle).

Support

Support comes from Besson Musical Instruments who will be in attendance all week to showcase their full range of instruments, as well as Band Supplies who will attend on Thursday.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "We are the oldest summer school course and continue to offer a truly unique musical experience aimed at players who really want to extend themselves and develop as musicians.

There is a warm welcome, plenty of fantastic music and the opportunity to learn from the very best."

We are the oldest summer school course and continue to offer a truly unique musical experience aimed at players who really want to extend themselves and develop as musiciansspokesperson

Besson commitment

A Besson spokesperson added: "We are proud to continue our partnership with the original and largest of our summer schools we support — and to continue our commitment to summer schools across Europe.

The world's best brass musicians and Besson artists gather in a common atmosphere of enjoyment to work with talented delegates from around the world.

Our instruments are on display at events throughout Europe, but you rarely get the chance to relax and experience them in person. We also offer the opportunity to explore our factories in Virtual Reality, learn about our brand's history, and ask the questions you really want answered!"

Course details

Brass Band Summer School
Harrogate Ladies College
8th -11th August

Open day:
Thursday 10th August

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    


Foden's Band

Result: 2026 British Open Championship

September 12 • Foden's (Russell Gray) have won the 172nd British Open at Symphony Hall with Philip Sparke's Music of the Spheres, ahead of Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet) in second and Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King) in third.


4BR Review — Episode 21

September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham on the weekend.


Dobson

Dobson enjoying his latest Dopamine hit...

September 11 • The Cornish composer continues to make his mark on the wider musical world with his latest album already becoming a hit in more ways than one...


British Open

British Open Countdown: T minus 1

September 11 • All the bands are now heading to Birmingham with all their prep done and dusted on 'Music of the Spheres'.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

September 12 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team.. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, performing a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

September 11 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! . As a second section band, we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.


Brunel Brass Organisation

September 11 • 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,


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd