*
banner

Johnny Sop hits 50 not out

One of the best players in the Principality will reach a great personal milestone on Sunday night...

Jon Evans
 

One of Welsh bandings finest players will be quietly celebrating a personal milestone at the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea on Sunday.

Johnny Sop

John Evans – ‘Johnny Sop’ to everyone in the Principality, will have notched up 50 years of contesting at the Regionals this year – something he may want to keep a little under wraps, but will in fact be a bit of a well deserved achievement to celebrate.

John started playing at the age of 7 and a year later played at his first Area — 50 years ago this year.

John started playing at the age of 7 and a year later played at his first Area — 50 years ago this year4BR

Family affair

His regional career started with Rhymney Youth Band conducted by Richard Nash, and two years later his sister Ann followed in his footsteps. In fact it was something of a family tradition as his mother Katie was on the women’s committee whilst father Vivian was an avid supporter and eventually band librarian.

The band subsequently won the Third Section and went on to represent Wales at the national finals, and as the youngest competitor that year he attracted newspaper attention from the Daily Herald.

Hooked

With that he was hooked and went on to play with the Gwent Youth band as well as for many years the Rhymney Band (which eventually became Hymac Works) under the direction of C. Brian Buckley.

John subsequently moved to play with Parc and Dare, winning the area championship on many occasions, as well as representing Wales at the European Championship. He also started his conducting career with Abertillery Youth Band with the family tradition continued as he coaxed his eldest daughter Leanne to join on percussion as they too played at the Nationals in London.

Reputation

He further confirmed his reputation as one of the best players produced in Wales in the last four decades when he joined the BTM Band, playing both soprano and principal cornet, whilst he also successfully conducted the Pontypool Band. Once again the family bug for banding was bitten as his younger daughters Janine and Jemma were brought into play too!

50 Years

He made another top section move to Cory for a number of very successful years as they won the double in 2000 and has continued to help out many other bands over years, both playing and conducting.

50 years isn’t a very long time in banding it seems, especially if you have been as busy as John!

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    


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


NYBBGB

National Youth Band sells out in Halifax

April 25 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain will be joined by the British Army Brass Band for a sell out concert in Halifax this weekend.


bRADOFRD

Bradford boost for Black Dyke Band

April 25 • The Yorkshire champion's involvement in Bradford's celebration as the UK City of Culture on Radio 2 has gained widespread plaudits.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd