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4BR Podcast Interview Episode 2: Johnny Thirkell

4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to a musician who has gone from playing soprano with Easington Colliery to sharing the stage with Jamiroquai and David Bowie — and is now offering a new venture in fab surroundings for players to learn how...

Podcast
  4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Johnny Thirkell

Welcome to another 4BR Podcast Interview — our series talking to leading musicians and personalities with a link to the brass band world.

Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJIcyU9aWdc

Episode 2 sees us joined by trumpet and flugel player Johnny Thirkell who has performed on hundreds of pop, rock and jazz recordings and live performances with the world's great stars.

These include working with the likes of Jay Kay and Jamiroquai and David Bowie to George Michael and Tina Turner, and so many more. He has also played with the Buddy Rich Band and Gil Evans Orchestra, played alongside the great Derek Watkins and a host of world class session musicians and stars.

The latest is a Cornet Camp which will be led by Tom Hutchinson of Cory Band from the 15th to 21st June.

Elite Music Camps

Over the last few years though he has been developing different aspects of his musical outlook — the latest a series of bespoke 'Elite Music Camps' based at his Spanish Villa about 20 miles from the city of Granada in the Sierra Nevada mountains alongside some of the industry leading musicians he has worked with for many years.

The latest is a Cornet Camp which will be led by Tom Hutchinson of Cory Band from the 15th to 21st June.

Find out more


To find out more: https://www.elitemusiccamps.com/

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Syndey

Report & Results: 2025 Yamaha Australian National Band Championships

April 20 • Sydney City becomes the inaugural Premier Championships of Australia as senior National titles head to Footscray-Yarraville City, Cairns Brass No. 1, Wonthaggi Citizensand City of Ballarat Municipal Brass.


Wobplay

Wobplay offers global opportunities at Euros

April 19 • There will be plenty of advertising opportunities for businesses as part of the comprehensive weekend of live-broadcast action from the European Championships in Stavanger.


Russell Gray

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April 19 • Aspiring conductors can enjoy the opportunity to work alongside Russell Gray in Scotland and Norway next month as he hosts his Conducting Seminars in Bathgate and Askoy.


Siusa

Jena pride at Sousa inclusion

April 19 • Jose Sousa will become the fifth young player from the Jena Brass Band Centre in Germany to represent the nation as part of the European Youth Brass Band.


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Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


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Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

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Chinnor Silver

April 21 • Required Percussion and Bass players (Eb or Bb). We are a friendly and ambitious band and have successfully qualified for the second section national finals and also earned promotion to the 1st section in 2026. Come along and help complete our happy team


wantage silver band

April 21 • A friendly and ambitious first section band, Wantage Concert Brass are looking for an experienced and dedicated MUSICAL DIRECTOR to help drive the band's continued growth and development, building on their best result to date at the recent area contest.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

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