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4BR features

Plenty of things to enjoy on the new look 4BR site — so why not dip in and find out what we think...

4BR
 

With the launch of the new look 4BR site, we have had plenty of great feedback about the new features and articles, as well as the odd suggestion or two on how to improve it further.

Features and updates

More features and updates from the old site will be included over the next few weeks, but for the time being there is plenty to enjoy.

British Open

With the British Open over for another year you can check out the retrospectives and see if you agree with our analysis of what was a very enjoyable contesting day.

All British Open retrospectives and features at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/results/open.asp

On the review front there have been plenty of new CD releases of late and you can see what we thought of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Walking with Heroes' and 'Masters of Space and Time'4BR

Reviews

On the review front there have been plenty of new CD releases of late and you can see what we thought of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Walking with Heroes’ and ‘Masters of Space and Time’ from the National Youth Band as well as releases from Joe Cook, Strata Brass, the British Army Brass Band and the European Brass Band Championships.

Walking with Heroes
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd385.asp

Debut – Joe Cook
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd386.asp

Masters of Space and Time
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd382.asp

All others CD reviews at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/default.asp?type=2

Concerts

On the concert front you can read Peter Bale’s thoughts on the Brass Gala Concert at Symphony Hall the day after the British Open, and also the opinions of Iwan Fox and Malcolm Wood on the performances at Bridgewater Hall the week before, which caused a few eyebrows to be raised.

British Open Gala Concert:
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con522.asp

Bridgewater Gala Concert
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con519.asp

Fairey Band
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con518.asp

All other concert reviews at:
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/default.asp?type=1

Features

There are the usual features of course, with our look at the latest gadgets & gizmos and Chris Tomas talking to composer Leigh Baker, whilst plenty of people have been looking at our new 4BR Vision inserts on the site – something a bit different.

Hope you enjoy them all, and we will be adding more and more as the weeks progress. Next stop Harrogate and the Lower Section National Finals.

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Sparke

British Open Countdown: T minus 9

September 3 • The countdown is underway for this year's British Open with 'Music of the Spheres' ready for lift off. But which European own-choice topping piece comes close to it in contest popularity since it was used in 2004?


Friary

New signing at Friary

September 3 • Cornish cornet player Jacob Griffiths returns to the banding fold with Friary.


BrookWright

2026 BrookWright Solo winners announced

September 3 • Mark Vause and Elijah Baker claim the main category awards with 11-year-old cornetist Bradley Mahungu capturing the Public Commendation Prize.


Music

Spheres starting to align across the UK

September 3 • Keep an eye out for a chance to hear a preview of 'Music of the Spheres' ahead of the British Open at Symphony Hall.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Yorkshire Imperial

September 3 • Yorkshire Imperial band have SECOND HORN and BBb BASS vacancies available. . At Imps we have a proud tradition, clear ambitions and a sensible, well-planned schedule. We're looking for musicians who want to make outstanding music & will enjoy the journey.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

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