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4BR News

There are plenty of new reviews up on the site for you to enjoy and ponder over — from CDs to DVDs and even a couple of new books too...

4BR
 

4BR has been hard at work trying to catch up with the plethora of new releases of CDs, books and DVDs over the last few weeks, and has been able to put up reviews on many of them on the 4BR site in the last couple of days.

Latest CDs

Some of the latest CD releases to come under the 4BR critical spotlight have been the new CD from the Freckleton Band called ‘In the Search for Atlantis’, the recordings of the winning performances from both the 2007 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and Norwegian Nationals 2008, as well highlights of the very last concert given by the Sellers International Band.

Meanwhile, British Bandsman television has launched its second instalment of their BBTV DVD, a two hour long release that gives a different take on the reporting of banding events and features4BR

Books

Meanwhile, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox has been taking time out to read through two new books from John Maines and Dennis Taylor.

John has provided budding brass band comperes with an invaluable one stop guide to just about everything under the musical sun to help them in those awkward moments between bands playing the pieces of music at concerts, whilst Dennis takes an affectionate and fascinating look at the history of the North East brass band movement.

DVDs

Meanwhile, British Bandsman television has launched its second instalment of their BBTV DVD, a two hour long release that gives a different take on the reporting of banding events and features – and we take a long hard look at that too.

Shopping

Lastly a bit of shopping news.

We have finally got our hands on a recording of the Fourth Section National Finals test piece, Peter Yorke’s great suite for brass, ‘The Shipbuilders’.

This one was recorded a little while ago by the massed bands of Britannia Building Society, John Foster Black Dyke Mills, and Williams Fairey.

If you need to reacquaint yourself with the piece then we now have it in stock.

Further releases

In the next few days or so we will be putting up reviews of the next batch of latest releases, including the new ones from PolySteel, Steven Mead, Wire Brass, Brighouse & Rastrick, Chris Houlding and Steve Sykes, as well as an update of our regular features and much more besides…

CDs:
Norwegian National Championships

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd368.asp

Brass for Guide Dogs
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd367.asp

In the Search for Atlantis
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd366.asp

2007 National Finals of Great Britain
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd365.asp


DVDs:
BBTV — 2

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/general/dvd010.asp


Books:
The Complete Compere Notes Guide
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/general/lit017.asp

The Heritage of the North East Brass Band Movement
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/general/lit016.asp


NEW CD:
Harry Mortimer – A Tribute in Music
http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=754

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Podcast

Festival focus for 4BR Review podcast

January 14 • Join the live podcast broadcast this evening with Iwan Fox, Chris Thomas and Dr David Thornton as they preview the attractions at the forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


RBC

Area test-piece focus at RBC Brass Day

January 14 • Players, conductors and brass band supporters can enjoy a full day of Third and Fourth Section test-piece workshops in Birmingham — with a Thomas Fountain bonus.


RNCM Festival

Cymbals to soundtracks on offer at RNCM Percussion Day

January 14 • There will be a full day of percussion attractions on offer at the RNCM in February.


Desford

Desford landmark with latest Vietnam tour

January 14 • The 2025 National Champion will head to Vietnam as they mark their 20th overseas tour.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Cheltenham Silver Band

January 14 • Tenor Horn, Bass, Percussion (all positions negotiable) in our 3rd Section Band.. . As we prepare for the West of England Areas with our professional conductor, Neil Brownless, and the 2026 summer season, we are looking to welcome new members.


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (19th) at 11am in our own bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake and coffee thrown in all free.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

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