*
banner

Rankings: End of year/January update

The final World of Brass – 4barsrest Rankings for 2008 confirm Cory as the world’s leading band, following a year that saw it win the European Championship for the first time in 28 years.

Cory band logo
 

In addition, Cory won the Brass in Concert Championships for the first time ever. The World of Brass Rankings Trophy was presented a on 13th December at the band’s concert with Honley Male Voice Choir in Huddersfield Town Hall, where Dr. Robert Childs was the recipient of the glass globe for the second year in succession.

Cory was also the band that picked up the most points during 2008, while the highest new entry into the top 200 in 2007 was Stockholm Brass Band, which performed superbly at both the European and Swedish championships.

The contests taking place since the last update were:

North Wales BBA – won by Beaumaris
Durham BBA – won by Felling.

To view all the ranked bands, go to:

www.4barsrest.com/rankings/default.asp

Moving into 2009

As we enter 2009, the four bands at the top are a long way ahead of the rest, and their performances at the major contests especially will likely determine which of them will end next year at the top, unless, of course, Brighouse and Rastrick, Leyland, Stavanger, Fairey, Brass Band Willebroek or Carlton Main Frickley Colliery can pull off a few shocks and infiltrate what has become a very elite group over the past two or three years.

2008 was a good year for...

2007 2008 Band Total +/-

1, 1, Cory, 1,633.71, 351.97
3, 3, Foden’s, 1,399.21, 241.43
17, 7, Stavanger, 427.08, 229.05
2, 2, Grimethorpe Colliery, 1,475.14, 202.93
32, 21, Brass Band Fribourg, 113.18, 65.06
7, 6, Leyland, 446.22, 55.60
47, 25, Buizingen, 70.91, 43.85
126, 35, Aeolus, 45.12, 38.67
19, 16, Kirkintilloch, 201.23, 38.37
13, 10, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, 287.38, 38.34
96, 36, EYMS, 42.54, 32.60
26, 23, Eikanger-Bjørsvik, 89.67, 31.69
50, 29, Manger Musikklag, 56.14, 30.22
63, 34, Redbridge Brass, 46.29, 27.63
107, 38, Festival Brass Band, 35.41, 27.04
39, 26, Brass Band 13 Etoiles, 65.48, 25.75
15, 13, Tredegar, 249.21, 24.96
22, 19, BTM, 131.69, 22.82
10, 8, Fairey, 362.70, 21.95
25, 24, Mount Charles, 77.93, 19.38

And a bad year for...

2007 — 2008 — Band — Points — +/-

6,11, YBS, 266.13, -234.45
5, 5, Brighouse and Rastrick, 632.69, -148.28
8, 14, Scottish Co-op, 240.94, -143.75
9, 15, Whitburn, 239.17, -115.83
14, 17, Rothwell Temperance, 167.35, -61.86
20, 22, Reg Vardy, 110.01, -34.55
29, 46, Fountain City Brass Band, 26.41, -27.22
34, 61, SWT Woodfalls, 19.75, -25.69
23, 32, Brisbane Excelsior, 51.58, -24.66
12, 12, Desford Colliery, 265.60, -22.24
18, 18, Hepworth (Cookson Homes), 152.38, -21.17
41, 69, Unison Kinneil, 17.79, -18.06
35, 47, Camborne Town, 25.60, -17.71
24, 31, Brass Band Oberösterreich, 53.41, -16.20
21, 20, Flowers, 120.87, -15.25
31, 41, Fishburn, 33.88, -14.43
30, 39, Brass Band of Central Florida, 35.25, -13.94
57, 96, Chicago Brass Band, 9.09, -13.30
37, 44, Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel, 26.86, -13.00
42, 53, Staffordshire, 22.61, -12.54

Ten best new entries

Ranking — Band — Points

63. Stockholm Brass Band Sweden, 19.52
77. Jaren Hornmusikkforening Norway, 14.22
98. Point of Ayr Wales, 8.45
104. Kirkbymoorside Town North, 7.80
111. Ascot Park Hotel of Invercargill New Zealand, 7.36
129. Helston Town West, 5.99
130. Brassband Limburg Netherlands, 5.96
131. Warringah Concert Brass Australia, 5.92
134. Haslingden & Helmshore North West, 5.70
149 Bayerische Brassband Akademie (3BA) Germany 4.65

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    


bbss

Free workshops for youngsters at Brass Band Summer School

July 9 • There will be a free Youth Brass Workshop at Wycliffe College as part of the 40th anniversary BBSS on 6th August. So need to be quick to book a place...


Kerkrade

Live stream action from World Music Contest

July 9 • You can enjoy all the brass band contests at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade this weekend.


Mead and Agnew

Mead adds test match credentials to tutoring

July 9 • Steven Mead met up with cricket broadcaster and test match cricketer Jonathan Agnew to give him a euphonium lesson.


NXTOD

More demand for NXTOD

July 9 • You can enjoy a great mini documentary from the recent Red Admiral March & Hymn Tune contest and sign up for more live brass banding.


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Fulham Brass Band

July 7 • Principal Eb bass vacancy:. . Fulham Brass Band, under our inspirational new MD Alan Thomas, are looking for a top class Eb bass player to join us for the First Section National Finals in September and beyond as we seek promotion back to the Championship.


Sherborne Town Band

July 5 • We have positions available for dedicated players on Euphonium, Cornet and Trombone in our fun, friendly Dorset based band.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

July 4 • The band requires an Eb bass player for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd