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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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ConsTest

Result: 2026 ConsTest Birmingham Open

April 11 • Derwent Brass claim the honours in the heart of Birmingham with a show of future ambition.


New Zealand

Results: 2026 New Zealand National Championships

April 11 • North Shore Brass breaks the Wellington stranglehold on the A Grade honours as there are section wins for St Kilda Brass, Rolleston Brass, Brass Whanganui Concert Brass and Tonga Collge Brass


Eikanger-Bjørsvik celebrating

World Rankings: April 2026

April 9 • Eikanger-Bjørsvik return to the top of the rankings following their recent victory at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen.


Victoria Wood

Limited tickets only for NYBBGB Easter concerts

April 8 • There are only limited tickets left if you wish to enjoy the New Horizons Concerts of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Leyburn and Manchester — so be quick.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


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


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

April 12 • WHIT FRIDAY MORNING - all players welcome.. . Experience Whit Friday morning in the Mossley Whit Walks from 9am on 29 May, with food and drink at the Yorkshire Ward after the march.


Ian Holmes

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


               

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