*
banner

2024 4BR Newcomer of the Year

New initiatives and new figures made their mark on the banding movement that came to the fore in 2024 — but these were the three that impressed our panel most.

nEWCOMER
  The talented young Norwegian composer is our Newcomer of the Year

Winner: Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen

2. So Matsukawa

3. Hitchin Band/Richmond Hill East School/BBE

Another exciting young compositional talent to emerge in Norwegian banding is the '4BR Newcomer of the Year'.

Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen brings a freshness of thought processes, evocative colours, texture and engaging melodicism to her works — four of which we heard this year at championships from Australia and the USA to Utrecht and Varnamo.

'Radioactive Discoveries', 'Headland Fantasy' and 'Pegasus' and 'Headland Fantasy' were used at the Swedish National Championships as set-works in the Championship, First and Second Divisions of the Swedish National Championships, whilst 'Headland Fantasy' was also used in the Third Division of the Dutch Nationals.

'The Cosmographic Mystery' (first heard at the Norwegian Nationals in 2023) was used as an own-choice by San Francisco Brass Band in winning the First Division of the North American Championships as well as by bands in the Victorian and Western Australian Championships.

Also a very talented cornet player, she gained 6 first choice nominations and two others from the panel.

The runner-up is the outstanding Japanese born conductor So Matsukawa. The 31-year-old made a remarkable impression with the judges, performers and audience in winning the 2024 Brass Band Conductors' Association competition earlier in the year. He gained 3 first choice nominations and four others.

An assistant to Music Director Robin Ticciati at the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin his only experience of brass banding came from listening to recordings of the YBS Band

As part of his prize he later worked with conductor Russell Gray and Foden's Band and conducted them during their pre-National Finals concert at Regent Hall in London in October.

Third place with 2 first place nominations and four others is the wonderful 'One Size Does Not Fit All' project led by Hitchin Band/Richmond Hill East School/BBE in reaching out to children with Special Education Needs.

Panel:

The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (4BR Editor); Malcolm Wood (4BR); Chris Thomas (4BR & BBW); Gordon Simpson (brass band statistician); Anne Crookston (conductor/adjudicator); Sarah Groarke-Booth (conductor/adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (conductor/journalist); Jess Tredrea (conductor/musician); Tim Mutum (brass band historian); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Michael Franz (Editor Brass Band News Switzerland); Henk Van Loon (Editor CU Brass); Stein Skorpholm (broadcaster/musician); Camila Soderstrom Tveit (musician/adjudicator); Philippa Edwards AOM (conductor/performing arts producer)

Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen brings a freshness of thought processes, evocative colours, texture and engaging melodicism to her works4BR

Past Winners:

2023: Brass Bands England — Elevate Project
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

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    


Albert Hall

Albert Hall qualification reversed

August 6 • The top four bands at this year's Championship Section National Final will gain an automatic invitation to the 2026 contest.


mANGER

King leads conducting trio at Manger

August 5 • Prof David King, Magnus Brandseth and Tormod Flaten will mastermind the musical challenges of the Norwegian National Champion.


Angus

Talent showcase at NYBBGB Course

August 5 • Eight talented performers battled it out to be crowned Harry Mortimer Solo Award winner.


Tredegar

Tredegar join the Rath pack

August 5 • The trombone section of the Welsh Champion are now ambassadors for Rath Trombones.


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


Elland Silver Band

August 5 • Are seeking a SOLO CORNET player and a 3rd CORNET player to complete our line up for our exciting autumn / winter season of concerts & contests. Rehearsals are Monday & Thursday evenings 8 -10pm at our bandroom in Elland HX5 9AZ.


wantage silver band

August 5 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have a vacancy for a BASS PLAYER, Eb or Bb. The band are ideally looking for an experienced player but are committed to giving younger players opportunities. There are always openings to teach and conduct at WSB too.


Petworth Town Band

August 4 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for BASS TROMBONE, CORNET and TUBA. We are an active band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome new players to join us and our happy band of players.


Duncan A. Beckley

BA, MA
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd