*
banner

Great win for North Chadderton

Outstanding performance award for North Chadderton and MD John Collins at National Festival in Birmingham.

Collins
 

North Chadderton Brass Ensemble, a small group of brass and percussion players led by John Collins, that all attend North Chadderton Comprehensive School in Oldham has gained a fantastic award at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham.

A lot of the players aged between 12 to 17 years, who also play in Oldham Band (Lees) put together a fnatastic performance to wow the audience and take away the 'Outstanding Performance' award.

Anything goes

John Collins told 4BR: "There are not enough players to make up a brass band so we compete in the ensemble section of the Music for Youth Festival series. In the ensemble section just about anything goes, recorder trios, percussion ensembles playing plastic chairs to barber shop choirs. As the Music for Youth series has its own “Brass Band” section to compete in what is traditionally a non brass band section and to win is incredibly hard."

As the Music for Youth series has its own “Brass Band” section to compete in what is traditionally a non brass band section and to win is incredibly hardMD, John Collins

Programme

The groups programme was “Cortege for Mlada”, Toselli’s Euphonium solo “Serenata” featuring up and coming star euphonium player Harrison Heeley, “The Drunken Sailor” and “The Hawaii 5-O theme” — complete with stunning choreography.

Stiff competition

The young band played number 21 out of a 22 strong field and the competition was incredibly stiff.

This is the fourth consecutive time that the brass ensemble have appeared at the Music for Youth National Festival series having gained a 'Highly Commended' Performance award in 2005.

This is the first 'Outstanding Performance' award the group have achieved and now stand a chance of being picked as one of the performers in the Schools Proms held in November at the Royal Albert Hall.

Waxed lyrical

The performance was described as truly outstanding and superb by the adjudicator Val Brody. When speaking about the group she waxed lyrical about their ability to play together, in tune and with such dynamic flair when the programme was undirected and totally without music.

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    


NYBBGB

NYBBGB concert reprise this Friday

September 18 • You can sit back and enjoy a repeat of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain's Summer Concert this Friday evening.


Future

Brass Foundations Future Leaders graduate with distinction

September 18 • The first cohort of future brass band leaders graduate from the pioneering BBE programme.


cooperation and adams

Adams and coop in percussion partnership

September 18 • Adams Percussion and the cooperation band have entered into a new percussion partnership.


Dutch

Dutch judges announced

September 18 • The adjudication panels for the Dutch National Championships have been confirmed.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd