*
banner

Radio: Touch of Brass

More brass bands music to enjoy from presenters Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges.

Radio
  More great music to enjoy from Martin and Julie

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 5pm & 6pm 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 5.00pm & 6.00pm 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 27th November:

Calling all Workers (Coates)
Band of the Royal Yeomanry

Irvin Berlin Favourites (Berlin)
Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers

Solitaire (Sedaka)
Love on the Rocks (Diamond)
Leyland Band
Soloist: Maurice Murphy

You are the sunshine of my life (Wonder)
Kirkintilloch Band

Be my Love (Brodsky)
Foden's
Soloist: Glyn Williams

Thunderbirds (Gray)
Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story (Bernstein)
Grimethorpe

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (Hess)
Flowers
Soloist: Andrew Smith

Deep Harmony (Parker)
Kettering Citadel Band of The Salvation Army

Shepherd's Song (Trad)
Aldbourne

Lezghinka (Khachaturian)
Sellers International Band

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    


Red Admiral

Live stream for Red Admiral watching

September 25 • You can sit back and enjoy plenty of great brass band entertainment this weekend.


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: A Carol Rhapsody (Geoffrey Nobes)

September 25 • A rhapsody of some of the most famous and popular carols — and an ideal early Christmas present for a band with a busy festive schedule.


Harper

Harper takes Bugle exams

September 25 • Cory MD Philip Harper will be the adjudicator at the 101st Bandsmen's Festival in Bugle next year.


Granite City

Glynn takes on Granite lead

September 25 • Adam Glynn has been appointed as the new Musical Director of Granite City Brass.


Dobcross Silver Band -

Sunday 27 September • Dobcross Band and Social Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Saddleworth Oldham OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the National Finals

Tuesday 29 September • Batley Town Hall WF17 5DA


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Barnsley Brass

September 25 • We are looking to recruit a Flugel Horn and Back Row Cornet players We are based in Worsbrough Bridge by the A61 south of Barnsley. S70 5LJ Rehearsals are Mondays / Thursdays at 8pm in our purpose-built band room.


East London Brass

September 24 • Percussion - East London Brass are seeking an enthusiastic percussionist to join our friendly, ambitious band. Great music, regular rehearsals and a welcoming atmosphere. Interested? Get in touch for more details!


Epping Forest Band

September 23 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


John Maines

BA (Hons)
Presenter, compere and conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd