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2023 4BR Newcomer of the Year

Brass Bands England exciting Elevate initiative takes the Newcomer of the Year award .

Awards
  4BR Newcomer of the Year

Winner: Brass Bands England Elevate Project


2. Foden's Band Young Female Composer initiative

3. ABRSM Brass Syllabuses (Practice & Performance Grades)

The two stand out 'newcomers' this year for our panel came from organisations that continue to look to expand the musical horizons of the brass band movement.

Brass Bands England's imaginative Elevate Project sought to bring together five different artists in collaborative projects to explore new ideas, genres and ways of performing. The link between the Freckleton Band, director and musician Jamie Fletcher and drag cabaret artists is surely going an artistic highlight of 2024.

It gained 6 first choice preference nominations from the panel to pip Foden's Band exciting 'Young Female Composer initiative' (5 first choice nominations), with the new ABRSM Brass Syllabuses (Practice & Performance Grades) in third.

Panel:

The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (4BR Editor); Malcolm Wood; Paul Hindmarsh; Andrew Wainwright; Chris Thomas; Gordon Simpson; Annie Crookston; Steven Mead; Sarah Groarke-Booth; Alexander Zwann; Jess Tredrea; Tim Mutum; Katrina Marzella; Stein Skorpholm; Camila Soderstrom Tveit.

Past Winners:

2022: Fredrick Schjelderup
2021: WobPlay.com — In Concert Series
2020: Cory Band Online Championships
2019: Sky Arts — Battle of the Bands television series
2018: Thomas Nielsen
2017: Ingar Bergby
2016: Thierry Deleruyelle
2015: Dark Arteries — Rambert Ballet and Tredegar Band
2014: The Band of the King's Division
2013: Korpsfiksert! — Eikanger Bjorsvik television series
2012: Brass in Concert
2011: Venezuelan Brass Ensemble
2010: Exit Brass
2009: Lucy Pankhurst
2008: Paul Duffy
2007: Proms Brass Day
2006: English National Championship
2005: Brass Band Aid
2004: The National Children's Band of Great Britain
2003: Emma Farrow
2002: Simon Dobson

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Blackpool

Results: 2026 North West Regional Championship

March 1 • Titles go to Foden's, Haydock, Lostock Hall, Allerton Brass and Wardle Community Band in Blackpool.


rooms4groups

rooms4gropups ready for Blackpool qualifiers

February 28 • The specialist hotel booking company will be on hand first thing on Monday morning to take the pressure of York and London qualifiers.


Blackpool

York and London on the horizon for North West Area contenders

February 28 • The 2026 Regional Championships get underway in Blackpool on Sunday with 75 taking to the stage at the Winter Gardens but with qualification sights on York and London.


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February 28 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke Band, Flowers, Foden's and David Childs headline the musical attractions for a day of the very best brass band music making in June.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

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Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


West Wycombe Brass Band

March 1 • West Wycombe Brass Band are looking for Horn players, any position. Rehearsals Wednesday 7.45-9.45pm in own band hall. Give us a call or email.


Croy Silver Band

March 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Harlow Brass Band

February 27 • We are a friendly, non-contesting band who have the following vacancies:. Trombones, 2nd Horn, Back Row Cornets, Percussion. . We rehearse every Thursday in Harlow, 8-10pm and play at local events throughout the year.


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

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