*
banner

Radio: Touch of Brass

More music to enjoy over the airwaves with Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge.

Radio
  The programme is presented by Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge

The Touch of Brass programme is hosted by Martin Upfold and co-presenter Julie Hedge is on the air each week on Community Radio Station Swindon105.5.com.

Not only can you tune in each week and listen to a new programme, you can also repeat things on 'Catch Up' too.

Martin Upfold

Martin's family banding roots lie with Pelton Fell Band, now the NASUWT Riverside Band with whom his grandfather and great grandfather both played.

He started to play on Eb bass aged 13, and went on to play with Swindon Youth Band, the Swindon Young Musicians Club, Swindon Concert Brass and Aldbourne Band.

He returned to Swindon Band and continued to play with them under the late Francis Cowley. He also had time to fit in playing with the Wessex RAF Voluntary Band and went on to play again with Swindon Pegasus Brass.

He started to work with Community radio station Swindon105.5 in 2008 presenting 'A Touch of Brass' which you can hear between 6pm & 7pm every Sunday evening.

In 2020 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons but has maintained his programme ever since, much to the delight of listeners around the banding world who listen in every week.

Welcome

Martin welcomes listeners every Sunday between 6.00pm & 7.00pm on Swindon105.5 or (FM)105.5, on the App, Now on Digital,

Go to www.swindon1055.com and click on 'Listen Live', or if you missed the show y, click on 'Catch Up'.

You can also leave a message to get a track played at martin.upfold@swindon1055.com or info@swindon1055.com (putting your message c/o A Touch of Brass) or telephone Swindon105.5 between 10am — 3pm, Monday — Friday on 01793 611555 and leave a message.

Sunday 29th June:

Entry of the Gladiators (Fucik)
The REME Band

Overture — Candide (Bernstein)
Flowers

Best of the Seekers (Various)
THE REME Band

Theme from 'Cockleshell Heroes' (Addison)
Band of HM Royal Marines

Someone to Watch Over Me (Gershwin)
Selles International

Serenade (Bourgeois)
Flowers

Lloyd-Webber: A Symphonic Study (Lloyd-Webber)
Band of the Coldstream Guards

Three Blades of Toledo (Sharpe)
Band of the Coldstream Guards

A Bridge Too Far (Addison)
Band of the Parachute Regiment

Hymn to the Fallen (Williams)
Band of the Coldstream Guards

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    


Clare Cope

Cope gains Royal Philharmonic Society commission

October 20 • Composer Claire Cope is one eight young composers who has been commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society to write a new work for a UK audience.


Yorkshire

Yorkshire announces judges for 2027 Regional Championship

October 20 • The judges and schedule for the Yorkshire Regional Championship in Huddersfield next March have been confirmed.


Dame Evelyn Glennie

Dame Evelyn Glennie to join NYBBGB for landmark Easter concert

October 20 • The renowned percussion soloist and a major new work from Martin Ellerby will feature in the 2027 Easter Course Concert of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain — so book your tickets now.


Ivors

Brass composers nominated for Ivors

October 20 • Ailis Ni Riain, Ben Nobuto, Richard Blackford and Hannah Peel have been nominated for Ivor Composer Awards.


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Symphonic Brass

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Friday 16 October • Playhouse 2 . 2 Newtown street. Shaw. Oldham OL2 8NX


The Egham Band - The Egham Band Plays Classic Rock

Friday 16 October • St John's Church Egham, Manor Farm Lane, Egham tw20 9HR


Epping Forest Band

October 20 • Friendly and forward thinking 2nd section band requires a Solo Horn and Euphonium player to join our team. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground. We have a sensible mix of contests and concerts throughout the year.


Kibworth Band

October 19 • Kibworth Band (First Section - South Leicestershire) seeking percussionist to join our friendly, ambitious team. Any seat negotiable. We rehearse Monday and Thursday evenings in our purpose built band room.


Kibworth Band

October 19 • Kibworth Band (First Section - South Leicestershire) seeking a BBb Bass player to join our friendly, ambitious team. Any seat negotiable. We rehearse Monday and Thursday evenings in our purpose built band room.


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd