*
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    


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


Duncan A. Beckley

BA, MA
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd