*
banner

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

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    


Spring Festival

Change in judging teams for 2027 Spring Festival

November 5 • A conflict of interest sees Dr Robert Childs step down from his Grand Shield adjudication appointment, with Col David Barringer now taking Senior Cup roll.


siddis brass

Live Wobplay coverage of Siddis Championships

November 5 • You can sit back and enjoy the Norwegian entertainment on offer from Stavanger on Saturday on the wobplay.com media platform.


Easington

Easington's backing to John Lewis festive advert

November 5 • Your can hear the sound of a brass ensemble from Easington Colliery Band on this year's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert.


NYBBGB

Excellent response to NYBBGB Composer Competition

November 5 • Lots of interest, but there is still plenty of time to get entries in for the John Gillam Young Composer Competition run by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


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


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.


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (9th) and we welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed and friendly rehearsal.Playing with us does not impact on your band. We meet in our bandroom at 11am it is all free including refreshments


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).


Ronnie MacNiven

MMus GRSM LRAM
Trombonist, composer, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd