With the new year comes new ideas, features and articles on the 4BR site.
Dinner Guests
'Dinner Guests' will see 4BR asking leading brass band personalities for the 10 people, dead or alive, who they would like to invite around their dinner table for a quiet meal and a chin wag about the state of the brass band movement given the chance.
First up in the new series is Chris Wormald.
Go to:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art783.asp
Under the Spotlight
Meanwhile, 'Under the Spotlight' will see 4BR take a very close look at a band to try and find out more about its history, its personnel, but more importantly, about its aims and objectives for the coming season — and whether or not we think they will meet them.
First up is Wingates.
Go to:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art784.asp
New interview series
In addition we will still be looking at the up and coming players around the country in our 'Scouting Report', as well as our 'Gizmos & Gadgets slot and the look back in history that is the 4BR 'Time Team'.
We are also due to start a new series of interviews, whilst we hope to bring some interesting new developments on our contest coverage too.
We are also due to start a new series of interviews, whilst we hope to bring some interesting new developments on our contest coverage too4BR
Contest coverage
Contest coverage starts with the trip to Skegness and Butlins, and we will be at Yeovil, the Norwegian Championships and Action Research too in the early part of February.
Regionals
The Regionals will get our usual in depth coverage and analysis (despite five Areas taking place on one weekend) and we will be looking closely at the state of play in the Fourth Section in particular this year to see what can be done to encourage optimism not despair.
Events
On the event front we will be at the RNCM later this month to report on the bands and the music there, whilst there will also be a report from the National Association of Brass Band Conductors AGM and convention at Bolton where 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is chairing a forum discussing the question of how to help the transition from school and youth bands to adult bands.
Hope you enjoy them all...