*
banner

Final countdown starts for line-up at 170th British Open

Time is ticking for the bands competing at the British Open Championship to put their final musical stones in place

British Open
  The countdown is on to see who will become the 2024 Champion

Time is ticking away fast as the 18 bands competing at this year's British Open Championship at Symphony Hall in Birmingham put their final touches to their preparations on Jan Van der Roost's intriguing test-piece, 'The Lost Circle'.

Open rehearsals

There are a number also giving their free open rehearsals this evening too, so if you are in the area why not go along and find out more about the piece yourselves.

https://www.4barsrest.com/news/61187/enjoy-a-lost-circle-preview-ahead-of-symphony-hall

The 170th Championship kicks off at 10.00am on Saturday morning, with the action also being covered by the live stream broadcast by World of Brass on the www.wobplay.com media platform

The line up has been confirmed as follows:

The competing bands:


Aldbourne (Ivan Meylemans)
Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Frederic Theodoloz)
Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King)
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Allan Withington)
Cory (Philip Harper)
Flowers (Paul Holland)
Foden's (Russell Gray)
Grimethorpe Colliery (Michael Bach)
Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
KNDS Fairey (Philip Chalk)
Leyland (Daniel Brooks)
Northop Silver (Erik van de Kolk)
Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
the cooperation band (Glenn Van Looy)
Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
Whitburn (Michael Fowles)

Tickets:


Tickets for the 170th British Open Championship:

https://bmusic.co.uk/events/170th-british-open-brass-band-championships

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    


Durham

Results: 2026 North of England Regional Championships

March 21 • Durham Miners Institute, Felling, Barton Community and Driffield take the first four titles in Durham


Fulham

Results: 2026 London & SC Regional Championships

March 21 • Fulham, Staines and Crystal Palace claim titles at Stevenage with more to come


Money

Did brass bands really receive £31 million?

March 19 • Arts Council England is reported to have paid out over £31 million to bands in the last three years, but the figures may not be all that they appear to be...


NYBBGB

Ticket demand high for NYBBGB Easter showcases

March 19 • If you want to hear the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in action this Easter the you had better be quick about getting a ticket...


Regent Hall Concerts - Slide Effect Trombone Quartet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Welsh Guards Band Septet

Friday 20 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band - Around the World in 80 Minutes

Friday 20 March • Wycliffe Rooms, George St, Lutterworth LE17 4ED


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Longridge Band - Spring Concert

Saturday 21 March • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Tintwistle Band

March 18 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd euphonium and 2nd baritone player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

March 18 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 15 • We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Following our 4th place at the North West regionals, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET player (position negotiable). We rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd