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4BR Review podcast: Episode 2

The second episode is now out with at look at what has been, and what is going on in the banding world.

4BR Podcast
  The second episode is now out

Welcome to the second episode of the 4BR Review where joined by my colleague Chris Thomas we will once again be both looking back, as well as forward to, what has and what is, happening in the brass banding world.

To enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsE04xbG96k

What's on...

On this episode we look back at the recent Norwegian Championships in Bergen as well as forward to the series of Regional Championship event across the UK in the next few weeks — giving a few 'kiss of death' nominations on bands to watch out for.

All that and we touch on recent concerts at the Royal College of Music in London and Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, how we've been getting on enjoying the CD of Tim de Maeseneer and our book choices of the biography of Wilfred Heaton and 'Time's Echo' by Jeremy Eichler.

We also give you some new choices to look out for in the coming weeks to with new releases from Hauts de France and Gavin Higgins, concerts from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Brass and Percussion, books from Peter Bassano and John McCabe, contests and even two old vinyl LPs to add to your collection.

Featured reviews:


CDs:

Storm
Hauts de France
Conductor: Luc Vertommen
World of Brass: https://www.worldofbrass.com/102201
WobPlay: www.wobplay.com

Rong Brass:
Download only: https://www.worldofbrass.com/DOYCD444-download

Concerts:

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Sunday March 2nd
Town Hall
Birmingham
Go to: https://cbso.co.uk/events/cbso-brass-percussion-town-hall

Books:

So Written to After Times
John McCabe — A Life in Letters

Go to: https://www.prestomusic.com/books/products/9731660--so-written-to-after-times-john-mccabe-a-life-in-letters

Before the Music Stopped
The Life of Professional Musician 1965 — 2000
Go to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Before-Music-Stopped-Professional-1965-2000/dp/B09NGXZPZB

LPs:

Gothenburg Brass Band
Conductor: Bengt Eklund
Polyphonic Recordings: PRL032D

Grimethorpe Special
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Conductor: Elgar Howarth
Featuring: Besses o' th' Barn Band
Narrator: Valerie Solti
Decca Records: HEAD14

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BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Climb every mountain

Wright & Round: Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Rodgers & Hammerstein arr. Philip Harper)

August 25 • You simply can't beat a belting classic from Julie Andrews...


bRASS IN cOCNERT

Brass in Concert Championship sold out

August 25 • There is not a seat left to be filled in the hall for the 49th Brass in Concert Championship this year.


British Open

British Open live-stream

August 24 • The 2026 British Open Championship will be live-streamed around the banding globe — so make sure you don't miss a note of the action.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

August 18 • Putney and Wimbledon Band are looking for a percussionist, ideally tune although the ability to play an anvil is an absolute must! We play exciting music with lots of percussion so there's plenty to keep you occupied.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

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