*
banner

Whitburn duo to make Albert Hall debuts

Two new players will make their Albert Hall debuts this weekend with Whitburn Band

Whitburn
  Olivia and Emma will make their debuts this weekend at the Royal Albert Hall

Whitburn Band will head to London this weekend boosted by a brace of new signings ahead of their Royal Albert Hall challenge.

New arrivals

Olivia Beckett and Emma Dunn are the new arrivals, with 20-year-old cornet player Olivia joining from Annan Town Band, where her mum and dad still play and she was appointed principal cornet aged 14.

She competed with Annan at the Cheltenham National Finals and at the European Championships and was named 'Best Cornet Player' at the Borders Entertainment Contest last year.

Looking forward

Speaking about signing Olivia said: "I'm really looking forward to continuing my journey with Whitburn Band."

18-year-old percussionist Emma is a second year BEd Music student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Excited

She had a spell with Johnstone Band and is a regular performer with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and in the musical theatre scene. Emma added: "I'm delighted to be joining Whitburn and I am excited for what is to come."

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    


NYGGB

National Youth Band opportunities

May 8 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain is looking to appoint new trustees and a librarian to help strengthen the organisation's heritage and future.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall tickets now on sale

May 8 • Tickets for the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall are now on sale.


Band Supplies

Summer deals to grab at Band Supplies

May 8 • There are plenty of great deals to grab at Band Supplies on ex-demo and second hand instruments.


Emergency

BBE to host emergency planning webinar

May 8 • Make sure you have plans in place to protest valuable musical and memorabilia assets if potential disaster strikes.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Brunel Brass Organisation

May 8 • Brunel Brass is looking for a Solo Horn and Back Row Cornet to join our senior band. We are an ambitious, friendly band on the verge of promotion to the Championship Section and recently achieved our highest ever finish at the British Open Spring Festival


East London Brass

May 7 • B Flat Bass : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a bflat bass player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Thornton Cleveleys Band

May 7 • We currently have the following vacancies.. 3rd Cornet and Bb Bass.. Friendly 3rd Section NW band based just outside of Blackpool. We have some great concerts coming up as well as marches, galas and charity events. With the odd contest thrown in too


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd