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4BR Review podcast: Episode 4

4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas look back at the European Championships as well as chatting about plenty of other things — from the Spring Festival to Maurice Murphy...

4br review
  The latest 4BR review podcast is now out

Welcome to the latest episode of the 4BR Review Podcast — where 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas chat about what is, what has and what will be going on in the brass band world.

We offer our views and opinions on events, topics, new releases and just about anything else that comes to mind.

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j_yOnrywEo

Europeans

On this episode, we look back at the recent European Championships in Stavanger where Brass Band Willebroek claimed the title for a fourth time to discuss whether or not the event is in need of a musical as well as structural overhaul?

Back in the UK there was also the British Open Spring Festival which took place in Blackpool.

As always, we will discuss latest releases and concerts that took our fancy as well as recommend a couple of books and old LPS to get your hands on.

Review opinions

We look at concerts by David Childs, the forthcoming Elgar Festival and a new release from Onyx Brass and John Wilson.

Then there is the new Radio 3 programme 'Brass Banding with Hannah Peel', the 'Amersham Story' on Wobplay and Mike Lovatt's latest release, books by David Hirst on the Victorian Era at Black Dyke, and Russell and Elliott's 'Brass Band Movement', whilst our LPs choices come from the 1980s with Besses o'th' Barn and Yorkshire Imps.

Watch out for

Please subscribe to enjoy all what we have to offer — with a new major interview coming up in the next week as well as plans for a live hour long podcast too.

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j_yOnrywEo

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Podcast

Festival focus for 4BR Review podcast

January 14 • Join the live podcast broadcast this evening with Iwan Fox, Chris Thomas and Dr David Thornton as they preview the attractions at the forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


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Area test-piece focus at RBC Brass Day

January 14 • Players, conductors and brass band supporters can enjoy a full day of Third and Fourth Section test-piece workshops in Birmingham — with a Thomas Fountain bonus.


RNCM Festival

Cymbals to soundtracks on offer at RNCM Percussion Day

January 14 • There will be a full day of percussion attractions on offer at the RNCM in February.


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Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Cheltenham Silver Band

January 14 • Tenor Horn, Bass, Percussion (all positions negotiable) in our 3rd Section Band.. . As we prepare for the West of England Areas with our professional conductor, Neil Brownless, and the 2026 summer season, we are looking to welcome new members.


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (19th) at 11am in our own bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake and coffee thrown in all free.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

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