*
banner

Brillo Brass returns for repeat performance — 51 after its last.

A wonderful reunion of players will be marked by the performance of Brillo Brass at the forthcoming Chester Music Festival.

Brillo Brass
  Life on Mars: The original band and players from 1973

There will be a wonderful reprise performance, 51 years in the making, this weekend at the Chester Music Festival.

It will come from Brillo Brass, a group of friends who have come together under the baton of Malcom Perry to mark the half century that has passed since they last appeared at the event in 1973.

The band will also perform 'Little Suite for Brass' by Malcolm Arnold — one of the works alongside Holst's 'Suite No.2' that they played, as Ellesmere Port Grammar School for Boys Band at Chester Town Hall in May 1973.

20 return

Spokesperson David Lancashire told 4BR: "We expect to have 20 players on stage. Thirteen of them played with the Boys Band between 1970 and 1974 and we also welcome two female players who joined the band when it became Whitby Comprehensive School in 1974."

David revealed that all the players were aged between 12 and 15 on the day in 1973, whilst two, in Alan MacDonald and Iain Davey has already become members of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

We have managed to persuade five others to join us for the day to make up the numbers, and we're determined to enjoy ourselves and recall great memoriesspokesperson

Great fun

He added: "We have managed to persuade five others to join us for the day to make up the numbers, and we're determined to enjoy ourselves and recall great memories.

It's going to be great fun, especially as we are going to be conducted by Malcolm Perry once again. It shows that the love of making brass band music never leaves you!"

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    


uk fORUM

Endorsement and reservations from UKLBF to automatic National invitations

August 13 • The UK Leading Bands Forum has welcomed the return of the four band automatic invitation to Albert Hall Final — but with pointed reservations.


Presto

Make a presto decision to add to your recording collection...

August 13 • There are six more, new and classic CDs and downloads to consider as you build your brass collection through a new partnership between 4BR and Presto Music.


Star Crossed lovers

Fewer than 100 premium tickets left for British Open

August 13 • If you want to to snap up a ticket for the Stalls or Upper Circle for this year's British Open, then make sure you don't miss out.


Gregson

Gregson's Choice on National eve

August 13 • You can still grab a seat for the chance to hear an evening of great Edward Gregson music on the eve of the Albert Hall National Final from the ISB and Ian Bousfield.


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 8 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham GL51 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 15 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL52 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Epping Forest Band

August 11 • Epping Forest Band have a vacancy for a solo horn player.. We are a friendly social 3rd section band with a variety of concerts throughout the year.. We have our own band hut and are within easy distance of the M11 and the central line.


Ilkeston Brass

August 9 • Ilkeston Brass need a new MD! We are a 4th section band based in SE Derbyshire with a strong community presence. We have empty seats in the cornet section but a core of committed players fighting to keep the band going.


Shirley Band

August 9 • The Shirley Band invite applications for the position of MUSICAL DIRECTOR. Due to relocation, we now seek a Musical Director to maintain a high standard of playing and to produce varied programmes for our sell-out concert series together with contests.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd