*
banner

Set works confirmed for New Zealand National Championships

The works that will challenge the bands at the oldest National Championship in the world have been announced.

New Zealand
  The championships take place in Christchurch this year

The organisers of the 2025 New Zealand National Championships have announced the test-pieces that will used at their event in Christchurch in July.

The Festival of Brass, which will also incorporate the keenly fought over Solo Championship competitions will be held at Christchurch's Town Hall Complex from Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th July.

The chief adjudicators are Frederic Theodoloz, the Musical Director of the current European and British Open Champion, Brass Band Treize-Etoiles. The Assistant Chief Adjudicator is SSGT Nick Johnson, Bandmaster of the New Zealand Army Band.

Test pieces

The A Grade Championship Section bands will be faced with 'A Tale as yet Untold' by Philip Sparke.

In addition, the bands must also perform a sacred work plus their own-choice test-piece in their bid to claim the NZ Gold Cup Trophy. The defending champion is Wellington Brass who will be seeking a seventh consecutive title success.

The contest format is the same for the B, C and D Grade bands, with the Youth Grade bands having to play an own-choice programme.

Golland, Bond and Evans

The B Grade contenders will be faced with John Golland's evocative 'Sounds', used at the European Championships in 1993, whilst the C Grade contenders will have to perform 'The Lost Village of Imber' by Christopher Bond, which was the Third Section National Final set-work in the UK in 2023.

The D Grade bands will perform 'Be Still' by David Evans arranged by Stephen Tighe.

Set Works:

A Grade: A Tale As Yet Untold (Philip Sparke)
B Grade: Sounds (John Golland)
C Grade: The Lost Village of Imber (Christopher Bond)
D Grade: Be Still (David J Evans arr. Stephen Tighe)
Youth Grade: Own choice

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    


Presto CDs

New partnership link for 4BR and Presto Music

June 2 • If you are looking to add to your classical music collections or those linked to the brass world, then you can do it by a click or two...


Denis Wick

Denis Wick Memorial Concert

June 2 • The life of the iconic musician, teacher, mouthpiece designer and businessman Denis Wick will be celebrated at a special concert this week in London.


Brass Cruise

A Brass Band Cruise with a difference

June 2 • You can enjoy a relaxing trip to three port cities accompanied by the sound of brass next year — or you can join in yourself.


Italian Brass Band

STEAM power boosts Italian outreach

June 2 • The Italian Brass Band continues to strengthen its Roman profile with its latest school link.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Croy Silver Band

June 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but we always welcome enquiries for any section of the band. We rehearse in Croy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm.


Epping Forest Band

May 31 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn.. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year.. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd