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2025 4BR Newcomer of the Year

An exciting year full as exciting new talent emerged in different fields and genres of the brass band movement.

Newcomer
  It was the new 'That's Not Banding' podcast from Brighouse pair Tom and Chris that claimed the award

Winner: That's Not Banding (podcast)

2. Will Everitt (NYBBGB Young Composer winner)
3. Brass Banding with Hannah Peel (BBC Radio 3)

An exciting year for new talent to emerge in different corners and genres of the banding world — from players, composers and conductors to community bands, contests and on-line chat.

It was the 'That's Not Banding' podcast that was launched in 2025 by Brighouse & Rastrick players Chris Robertson and Tom Smith though that certainly caught the imagination and created a buzz with its entertaining mix of irreverence and insight.

It was a neck and neck fight for the accolade with National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Young Composer winner Will Everitt, with each getting 5 first choice preference votes, with the second and third choice preferences that swung the day for the podcasters.

Third place went to the engaging Radio 3 mix and match exploration of the banding world and its music making from Hannah Peel.

Panel:

The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (4BR Editor); Chris Thomas (4BR & BBW); Malcolm Wood (4BR & BBW); Josie Sleigh (musician); Gordon Simpson (brass band statistician); Sarah Groarke-Booth (conductor/adjudicator); Michael Franz (Editor Brass Band News Switzerland); Liv Appleton (Content Creator/itsnotatrumpet.com); Camila Soderstrom Tveit (musician/adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (conductor/journalist); Tim Mutum (brass band historian); Henk Van Loon (Editor Emotions on Stage); Philippa Edwards AOM (conductor/performing arts producer); Stein Skorpholm (broadcaster/musician).

Past Winners:


2024: Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen
2023: Brass Bands England — Elevate Project
2022: Fredrick Schjelderup
2021: WobPlay.com — In Concert Series
2020: Cory Band Online Championships
2019: Sky Arts — Battle of the Bands television series
2018: Thomas Nielsen
2017: Ingar Bergby
2016: Thierry Deleruyelle
2015: Dark Arteries — Rambert Ballet and Tredegar Band
2014: The Band of the King's Division
2013: Korpsfiksert! — Eikanger Bjorsvik television series
2012: Brass in Concert
2011: Venezuelan Brass Ensemble
2010: Exit Brass
2009: Lucy Pankhurst
2008: Paul Duffy
2007: Proms Brass Day
2006: English National Championship
2005: Brass Band Aid
2004: The National Children's Band of Great Britain
2003: Emma Farrow
2002: Simon Dobson

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nybbg

New generation starts to shine for NYBBGB

May 29 • A trio of workshops inspires the next generation of players looking to enjoy the musical experience of being part of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Thats not banding

Podcast: That's Not Banding — Episode 20

May 29 • The Brighouse duo give their thoughts and opinions on Whit Friday and Saddleworth versus Tameside, as well as looking back on their recent travels far and wide.


British Open

British Open tickets on sale

May 28 • The box office is open from 10.00am today to get tickets for the 172nd British Open Championship.


Tameside

Tameside ready to welcome Whit Friday visitors

May 28 • Tameside will offer a warm welcome to competitors and visitors alike for their Whit Friday contests.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Tintwistle Band

May 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for front row cornet players to help complete our team. . We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, under the baton of MD Jim Henson, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Chinnor Silver

May 28 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meets again on Monday(1st) at 11am and we welcome players of all abilities to come along and join us in a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.. What is not to like = wont effect your no1 band ,its free and with coffee and cake


Otley Brass Association

May 26 • Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a new member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our MD, Martyn Beecham.


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

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