*
banner

New boys (and girls) for Besses

Besses Boys Band has announced new signings ahead of the Regionals.

 

Besses Boys Band has announced further new signings to their ranks, ahead of the forthcoming North West area contest.

Following recent signings made earlier this month, the band have now secured the services of Ryan Forde (Horn), Alex Nolan (Eb Bass) and Elise Ince (Percussion).

Debuts

All three players will make their debuts with the band at the area contest, and are very excited about the task at hand.

The band are also delighted to welcome back Charlotte Dodd (Horn) who has joined the band having previously played for the Timperley Band, and Becca Hurst (baritone) who relinquished her seat within the band last year to go to university. Both have answered the call of MD James Holt to come and help the band with their preparations for the contest.

To be able to strengthen the band further following other recent signings is fantasticMD James Holt

Fantastic signings

Musical Director James Holt told 4BR: "To be able to strengthen the band further following other recent signings is fantastic, and can only help us mount a stronger challenge at the Area in Blackpool next month.

I am very pleased to have secured the services of these new quality players as well as welcoming back some old friends to the 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    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Dave Collins

BA (Hons) (Dunelm) I, FSCO
Composer and Arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd