*
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    


Siddis Brass

Siddis confirms 64 band line-up

July 31 • The Siddis Brass Entertainment Championships will be packed with competing bands.


Barrhead Band

Barrhead to make free investment in youth

July 31 • Barrhead Burgh Band will look to kickstart its future prosperity with a free ethos of inclusion and support in youth.


Btteshanger

Betteshanger looks to Eclipse recent achievements

July 31 • Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band is looking to gain yet more National success thanks to the help of generous sponsors.


Wellington

New Zealand President reflects on banding's worldwide contribution

July 31 • BBANZ President, John Sullivan focusses his praise for bands at home and abroad in the latest issue of the 'Mouthpiece' journal.


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


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


Crewe Brass

August 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

August 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

August 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd