*
banner

Own-choice attractions at Buxton

There will be plenty of great own-choice music on show at the Buxton Brass Band Festival next month.

Buxton
  The popular contest takes place at Buxton's Pavilion Gardens

The popular NWABBA Buxton Brass Band Festival will take place on Sunday 4th May at the Octagon Theatre at the town's Pavilion Gardens.

The own-choice format event starts at 10.00am with the Fourth Section, followed by the Third, Second and joint First/Championship Section. The adjudicator is the experienced Alan Widdop.

Wide variety

There will also be a wide variety of test-pieces performed with works from the pens of Eric Ball, Philip Sparke, Peter Graham, Stephen Bulla, Edward Gregson, Richard Grantham, Steven Ponsford, Kenneth Downie and Ray Steadman-Allen.

All day admission to the contest is £10 — wristbands can be purchased on the day of the contest.

Competing bands:


Championship/First Section:

Bedworth
Foss Dyke
Hebden Bridge
Skelmersdale
Whitworth
Wingates

Second Section:

Besses Boys
Carlton
Delph
Hawk Green
VBS Poynton

Third Section:

City of Wrexham
Dobcross Silver
Stalybridge

Fourth Section:

Blackley
Matlock
St John's Mossley

Featured works:


A Malvern Suite (Philip Sparke); Dances and Arias (Edward Gregson); The Essence of Time (Peter Graham); Hostile Skies (Richard Grantham); Images for Brass (Steven Bulla); Journey into Freedom (Eric Ball); The Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke); Music of a Legacy (Steven Ponsford); The Plantagenets (Edward Gregson); Purcell Variations (Kenneth Downie); The Saga of Haaken the Good (Philip Sparke); Stantonbury Festival (Ray Steadman-Allen); Variations on Laudate Dominum (Edward Gregson).

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    


Podcat

4BR Podcast: Are you not entertained?

November 10 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look at the wider questions surrounding brass band entertainment — and you can have your opinion heard...


Brass in Concert

Brass in Concert previews on offer

November 10 • Some of the bands will be providing a sneak preview of their entertainment programmes ahead of their trips to Gateshead.


Marc Reift

Editions Marc Reift publishes 100,000th title

November 10 • Music publishers Editions Marc Reift has just reached a remarkable milestone.


Brass in Concert

VIP tickets up for grabs at Brass in Concert

November 10 • There is a chance to get two of the very best seats in the house and enjoy a VIP experience at Brass in Concert by helping a fantastic cause — but you need to be generous and quick...


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Christmas Magic and More

Sunday 13 December • Rugby Theatre, Henry Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2QA


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • We are looking to strengthen our top end and require an ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CORNET to join this friendly and ambitious 1st Section band.Good book of concerts and contests planned that includes a trip to Belgium.


Oxford Cherwell Brass

November 6 • Oxford Cherwell Brass invites applications for a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR . We seek a new MD who is committed to an inclusive positive approach towards enjoyment of music making and development. We are a friendly second section band (L&SC).


Hade Edge Band

November 5 • Hade Edge Band are looking to recruit Front Row Cornets, position negotiable to complete our line up for next years Area contest. The band rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday at 7.45pm till 9.45pm in our fantastic purpose built bandroom.


Darron Cleary-McHarg

MISM
Composer, Arranger & Music Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd