*
banner

Brighouse Festival of Brass

There will be plenty to enjoy at this year's Brighouse Festival of Brass — including the reformed JSVB and the James Madison University Band.

jAMESD mADISON
 

This year’s Brighouse March & Hymn Tune Contest on Sunday, 6th July, promises another great day for all brass enthusiasts from near and far.

JSVB

This event is the finale for the Brighouse Festival of Brass which begins on Friday evening, the 4th July in the Central Methodist Church, with a re-union concert by the James Shepherd Versatile Brass.

This team from the 1970’s built a terrific reputation for itself and it is just 30 years in July that JSVB gave a concert in Brighouse, before its 14 day tour of Australia.

This event is the finale for the Brighouse Festival of Brass which begins on Friday evening, the 4th July in the Central Methodist Church, with a re-union concert by the James Shepherd Versatile BrassOrganisers

Same line up

The team is the same, except for Kevin Edwards who replaced the late Harvey Whiteley after this fabulous trip down under. Frank Renton (BBC “Listen to the Band”) who fronted the group in those days will conduct, with the famous players who made up the group. The night promises to be a sell-out concert and one to capture the imagination.

American visitors

The following evening in the same Church, Brighouse Lions have booked the James Madison University Brass Band from USA, conductor Kevin Stees, to share the stage with the local United Co-op Band.

Guest Soloists Katrina Marzella and Brendan Wheeler will be featured. This annual concert, which was given last year by the Easington Colliery Band is always popular with the Brighouse people. Both these bands take part in the contest on Sunday.

Contest Day

The contest on the Sunday begins at 1pm with the Youth Section and then up to 25 bands will play for the many prizes. Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) Ltd have donated a “Xeno” cornet for the best principal cornet of the day.

Non-stop music is the order of the day and just before the results The Easington Colliery Band, conductor Stuart Gray will give a short concert in the Town Hall Square.

Sponsors

The main sponsors are Kirklees Music of Brighouse this year celebrating 25 years in business.

Sponsorship this year comes from Yamaha-Kemble Music, Kirklees Music, Calderdale MBC, Kershaw’s Garden Centre, Blakeley’s Fish Restaurant & Take-away, Concept Merchandise Ltd., Daniel & Hirst Estate Agents, The Association of Band Traders, Band Supplies (Leeds) & Weatherspoons.

More information sales@kirkleesmusic.co.uk

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    


4BR Review — Episode 21

September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham on the weekend.


Dobson

Dobson enjoying his latest Dopamine hit...

September 11 • The Cornish composer continues to make his mark on the wider musical world with his latest album already becoming a hit in more ways than one...


British Open

British Open Countdown: T minus 1

September 11 • All the bands are now heading to Birmingham with all their prep done and dusted on 'Music of the Spheres'.


Howard Snell

Eikanger lead 90th birthday celebration for Howard Snell

September 11 • A wonderful musical tribute was paid to Howard Snell by the Norwegian band he inspired to lead with passion and vision.


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


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


Tintwistle Band

September 12 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team.. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, performing a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

September 11 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! . As a second section band, we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.


Brunel Brass Organisation

September 11 • Brunel Brass is looking for a BACK ROW CORNET to complete the band. Challenging for promotion to the Championship Section in 2027 and achieving our highest ever result at the British Open Senior Trophy in 2026,


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd