*
banner

Varsity assault on Whit Friday

The brainy Blues of Oxford and Cambridge will be teaming up for their assault on the Whit Friday contests in May.

 

For once Oxford and Cambridge will not be competing against each other, as they team up for the first time to enter the Saddleworth and Tameside Whit Friday Contests.

Successful

Following two extremely successful joint concerts – one in Cambridge in 2007 and a return visit to Oxford this year – the bands have decided to turn on the rest of the banding world!

Players from both the Oxford and Cambridge University bands, as well as players from the Oxford and District Brass Band Association will make up a full strength band under the baton of Graham Lunn4BR

Full strength

Players from both the Oxford and Cambridge University bands, as well as players from the Oxford and District Brass Band Association will make up a full strength band under the baton of Graham Lunn, an undergraduate at Oxford who has conducted Oxford University Brass Band for the past 3 years.

The band plans to travel up to Manchester on 16th May and take their place in the competition alongside other university bands who already contest regularly.

Sponsors

The band has, very kindly, been sponsored by Marshalls plc, the UK’s leading hard landscaping transformation company. Their support has been invaluable to the budding band, who will take the name ‘Marshalls Brass’ on the night to recognise the contribution the company has made to them and in honour of its Northern roots.

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    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Back row cornet vacancy. . Instrument available


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Percussion - kit vacancy. . Pearl & mapex kits available . Own bandroom, no additional setting up between rehearsals


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • 2nd Euphonium vacancy. . Flexible rehearsals available to support band-home life balance


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd