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4BR — new features and articles

Plenty more to enjoy on 4BR at the moment — from new articles and reviews to lots more stuff to buy...

4BR
 

4BR has been busy once again bringing you features, articles and reviews to enjoy on the site.

Articles

25 years ago tragedy struck the young players of the Gwent Youth Band on a trip they were undertaking to play in Germany. The horrific bus crash left many seriously injured.

Iwan Fox looks back to the fateful day two and half decades ago:

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art877.asp


4BR Editor Iwan Fox listens to the new PolySteel CD to see if it measures up to its ambitious title, whilst Chris Thomas delves into the deep musical waters with the latest offering from euphonium virtuosi Tormod Flaten4BR

Band Spotlight

This month the 4BR ‘Band in the Spotlight’ is the BTM Band from South Wales. Formed in 1972, in September they will make their first ever appearance at the British Open Championships. 4BR looks at the band in detail.

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art876.asp


Gizmos and Gadgets

Meanwhile, five of the latest gizmos and gadgets from the brass band suppliers are given the once over. Strange and wonderful things they are to, so check out if there is anything there that takes your fancy.

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art873.asp


Concert Reviews

As always the 4BR reviewers have been busy, with Peter Bale taking the opportunity to listen to a very impressive Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Malcolm Wood enjoying the delights of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass Reunion Concert.

See what the lads thought at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con512.asp

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con511.asp


CD Reviews

There are also a couple of new reviews to keep you up to date with the latest releases from bands and soloists.

4BR Editor Iwan Fox listens to the new PolySteel CD to see if it measures up to its ambitious title, whilst Chris Thomas delves into the deep musical waters with the latest offering from euphonium virtuosi Tormod Flaten.

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd370.asp

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd369.asp


Go shopping

Finally, something to tempt you to add to your CD collections, with new releases from PolySteel, Grimethorpe and Steven Mead. Check them out at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=757

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=756

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=753

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Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our welcoming non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has openings for: . Percussion, kit and tuned: a lovely pair of timps awaits you!.


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

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