*
banner

Forest of Dean Music Festival

The details of the forthcoming Forest of Dean Music Festival have been released.

 

Details of the 4th Forest of Dean Music Festival which will be held on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July at Lakers School, Coleford, Gloucester have been announced by the organisers.

Grown

Established in 2006, the Festival was known as the 'Forest of Dean Solo, Duet, Quartet and Ensemble Championship' and it catered only for brass players. It quickly grew to being the largest event of its kind in the whole of the UK and in 2008 had over 160 entries.

This year the event has expanded to a full two-day music festival with classes for many other disciplines including brass, recorder, woodwind, strings, vocal and pianoorganisers

Expanded

This year the event has expanded to a full two-day music festival with classes for many other disciplines including brass, recorder, woodwind, strings, vocal and piano.

Two categories

Also new this year is the 'Forest of Dean Young Musician of the Year' competition which has two categories.

There is the Forest of Dean Junior Young Musician for brass, woodwind and string instrumentalists aged 13 and under who are a minimum of grade VI standard and Forest of Dean Senior Young Musician for brass, woodwind and string instrumentalists aged 14 to under 19 who are a minimum of Grade VIII standard.

Brass classes

Brass classes will be held on Sunday 5th July, all other disciplines including the Forest of Dean Young Musician of the Year competition will be held on Saturday 4th July. Adjudicator's will be announced in due course. The closing date for entries is 1st May.

For schedules and further details please contact the Festival Organiser:

Ms Kristyann Symonds, on 01594 562778 or email kristyann@ksymonds.fsnet.co.uk

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    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Back row cornet vacancy. . Instrument available


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd