*
banner

French fancies at Cambridge

Brass Band Aeolus certainly enjoyed their trip over the English Channel on the weekend.

Clement Saunier (right) with 4BR editor Iwan Fox
 

French champions, Brass Band Aeolus left the All England Masters on Sunday totally delighted, as well as a little surprised, after their stylish performance of ‘Malcolm Arnold Variations’ saw them take third place and with it £1,000 in prize money.

Added bonus

In addition there was an added bonus as their principal cornet player Clement Saunier won the 4BR ‘Best Instrumentalist Award’ and £250 for his efforts in helping the band to perhaps their finest result in their short history.

I am of course very happy to have won the prize, but it even more so for the band. I love playing the cornet and we all enjoyed the music and the chance to play here4BR Winning Soloist, Clement Saunier

Right choice

After being unable to raise sufficient funds to make the trip to represent their country at the European Brass Band Championships in Stavanger, Brass Band Aelous concentrated their efforts and came away delighted that they had made the right choice.

Thrill

Conductor Bastien Still told 4BR: "It’s been a thrill for us. To come here and play is special. The prize is a bonus, but the experience of playing against these bands is so much greater."

Bastien also felt that the decision to play here will have a great effect on their future plans. "We could not afford to make the trip to Stavanger, so we concentrated on coming here. We really enjoyed the piece and the chance to play against so many good bands. The experience will be good for us and we hope to come again and try to win next time."

Soloist delight

As for their winning soloist, he too was delighted. "I am of course very happy to have won the prize, but it even more so for the band. I love playing the cornet and we all enjoyed the music and the chance to play here."

Worth every Euro

The band now hope to return next year and possibly play at the European Championships in Ostend too if they can afford both trips. The £1,000 though is already spent, but the experience of the Masters has been worth every last Euro.

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


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


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd