*
banner

2024 4BR Test Piece of the Year

Plenty of test-pieces played across the banding world, but these were the three that made the greatest impression on our panel.

tETS pIECE
  A work inspired by the most ancient of monuments is our winner this year

Winner: The Lost Circle (Jan Van der Roost)


2. Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)

3. Smoke Sketches (Daniel Hall)

A work inspired by the mystery and majesty of Stonehenge imagined by Belgian composer Jan Van de Roost has been voted as the '4BR Test Piece of the Year'.

It was a collaborative commission between various contesting bodies and was premiered at the British Open in September, followed by the German, Austrian, Dutch, Swiss and Belgian Championships.

It gained 6 first choice nominations from the panel plus three other top three choices.

Philip Sparke's 1986 work, 'Variations on an Enigma' which was used as the top section Regional Championship test-piece is runner-up, gaining 4 first choice nominations and 3 other top three choices.

Third place goes to a work of more recent vintage in Daniel Hall's 'Smoke Sketches', written in 2017 and used as the Fourth Section National Final test piece in Cheltenham. It gained 2 first choice nominations and three other choices from the panel.

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)

It was a collaborative commission between various contesting bodies and was premiered at the British Open in September4BR

Past Winners:

2023: Sand and Stars (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2022: The World Rejoicing: Variations on a Lutheran Chorale (Edward Gregson)
2021: The World Rejoicing: Variations on a Lutheran Chorale (Edward Gregson)
2020: Neverland (Christopher Bond)
2019: Dear Cassandra… (Ludovic Neurohr)
2018: Concerto Grosso (Derek Bourgeois)
2017: Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2016: Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2015: The God Particle (Rolf Rudin)
2014: Vita Aeterna Variations (Ed de Boer writing as Alexander Comitas)
2013: Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style) (Edward Gregson)
2012: Goldberg 2012 (Svein Henrik Giske)
2011: Breath of Souls (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
2010: Saint Saens Variations (Philip Sparke)
2009: Titan's Progress (Hermann Pallhuber)
2008: The Dark Side of the Moon (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
2007: Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke)
2006: Vienna Nights (Philip Wilby)
2005: Eden (Dr. John Pickard)
2004: St. Magnus (Kenneth Downie)
2003: Festival Music (Eric Ball)
2002: Masquerade (Philip Wilby)
2001: Albion (Jan Van der Roost)

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    


gRETHE tONHEIM

2024 4BR Special Award

December 25 • The award this year goes to Grethe W Tonheim, who continues to inspire with her playing, teaching and musicianship


Band of the Year

2024 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • So many great bands on top form during the year, but these were the three that stood out for our panel.


Conductor of the Year

2024 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • These were the top three MDs who created the performances to savour in the past year for our panel.


pLAYER

2024 4BR Player of the Year

December 25 • So many great individual performers on show this year, but this trio were exceptional.


Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ


Enderby Band - Broughton Astley Rock Choir

Friday 13 December • Thomas Estley Community College. 2 Station Road. Broughton Astley. Leicestershire LE9 6PT


Bedford Town Band - Bedford Town Band Brass Academy

Saturday 14 December • Putnoe Heights Church MK418EB


Newstead Brass - Christmas Showcase 2024

Saturday 14 December • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 8LA


Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band

December 24 • Solo Baritone Eb Bass and Percussion required to complete the line up building towards the NEMBBA and area contests. Under the Direction of Duncan Beckley, the band is keen to fill the few remaining seats.


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

December 19 • Current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables and 2024 4th section National Finalists. We have recently appointed a new MD and are now looking to fill a few empty seats! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings.


Dobcross Silver Band

December 14 • Looking for a new challenge in the New Year? . Dobcross Silver Band is a progressive and Successful 3rd section band on the lookout for a competent SOLO BARITONE PLAYER. If you are a team player you fit perfectly! Really enjoyable rehearsals here!


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2024 4barsrest.com Ltd