*
banner

YBS sparkling diamonds

The YBS Band has been celebrating the success of three of their brightest diamond players.

YBS
 

The YBS Band were proudly celebrating success at the British Open Solos last weekend. All three entrants from the band came home with prizes against top draw competition.

Potential

Jamie Smith continued to show his potential with a fine third place finish in the Intermediate Slow Melody Contest, playing 'Abide with Me'. This was all the more commendable being still just 13 years old and one of the youngest players to compete.

We are very proud of the success achieved by Jamie, Helen and Iain. With Jason coming in it further underlines the quality right throughout the team at YBSBand Manager, Dave Long

Fabulous performance

Meanwhile, principal horn Helen Varley showed her quality by stealing away the individual tenor horn prize after a fabulous performance of 'Tyrollean Variations'.

Breathtaking

Finally, principal cornet Iain Culross gained third place overall and finished as the highest place soloist from Great Britain after his breathtaking rendition of 'Slavische Fantasie', a performance that one judge described as “telling a story through music.”

Further boost

YBS have had a further boost with the news that another top class player has joined their ranks in the shape of Jason Barlow, on the front row. Jason brings with him a wealth of experience and adds to already very strong cornet section.

Quality

Band Manager Dave Long told 4BR: "We are very proud of the success achieved by Jamie, Helen and Iain. With Jason coming in it further underlines the quality right throughout the team at YBS and it’s a big boost for us as we prepare for Brass In Concert."

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    


British Open

Livestream broadcasts brought in-house for Spring Festival and British Open

April 16 • The 2026 Spring Festival and British Open Championships will be broadcast in a new link between the organisers and Red Shell Productions.


NYBBGB

NYBBGB ready to add to plaudits in Manchester

April 16 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will head to the RNCM in Manchester this weekend.


BBE Young Leaders

Brass Bands England to help new youth leaders

April 16 • A course aimed at enhancing specialised skills to inspire the next generation of brass band players is launched with increased capacity by BBE.


Field of the Cloth of Gold

Wright & Round: Field of the Cloth of Gold (Philip Harper)

April 16 • An exciting concert work that recalls a historic summit of superpowers...


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 18 April • Hathersage Methodist Church . Main Road. Hathersage S32 1BB


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Chinnor Silver

April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday


Linthwaite Band

April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd