Norwegian euphonium soloist Bente Illevold has spoken of her pride at being presented with an award from her home town recognising her outstanding musical achievements.

The 2026 Rendal Prize stated that Bente had, "left her mark internationally with her world-class performances".

Quite special

In response Bente said: "There's something quite special about getting such recognition at home. After all, my journey as a musician started here, with a baritone in Rendalen Music School in 1998. It's since taken me out into the world — and in recent years back here, with a desire to create something and give something back."

Good roots

Bente added: "I cannot thank Rendalen for my entire career, but I can thank Rendalan for the roots, for the nurturing and freedom in growing up with my family and through music.

Good roots make it possible to grow long, and endure quite a lot of wind to eventually your way home again."

Join 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas on Wednesday 9th September at 7.00pm as they look ahead to the 172nd British Open Championship at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

They will be discussing the event, the music and the bands, as well as the issues for it and other major contests in attracting audiences to listen to test-piece contests — so please be a part of it with your views too.

They will also look back on a few highlights since the last podcast break with the usual recommendations to watch out for.

Bookmark it now at: https:/­/­www.youtube.com/­watch?v=kkfSksa4Rjc

30 years ago this year the 144th British Open title was won in memorable fashion by the Marple Band.

Not only was it their first, and to date, only Open success, but it also came at a venue that was only used the once too — Bridgewater Hall in Manchester — and took place even before the it was officially opened.

The had been a top-six prize winner in previous years, but on this occasion directed by Garry Cutt, Marple's their performance of Bram Gay's arrangement of Elgar's 'Severn Suite' finally saw them take the title and iconic Gold Shield — and all as the final band to play on the day.

Special article

Their achievement has now been marked by a special article written for the Bridgewater Hall's website with memories of the day from Garry Cutt and band members Paul Beetham, Ruth Groves and Lucy Cutt.

There is also a lovely reminder of just what it meant to the late Eileen Murphy who as the proudest Band Secretary in the world on the day was presented with the Gold Shield on behalf of the band on stage.

To read:

Tickets and Live Stream

Tickets for the 2026 British Open are available at:
https:/­/­bmusic.co.uk/­events/­the-172nd-british-open-brass-band-championship

Live stream coverage is available at:
https:/­/­thebritishopen.net/­the-british-open-event/

It seems brass bands are currently capturing the attention of not just of writers in the broadsheet newspaper media, but also publishers of academic research in higher education.

Following Ivan Hewett's recent article in The Daily Telegraph that looked at some of the contemporary issues he felt arose from Prof Trevor Herbert's recent book, 'The Brass Band Story', comes in an article on the Wonkhe website written by its Deputy Editor David Kernohan entitled, 'What brass bands can tell us about REF reform'.

Wonkhe, looks at current issues in the UK higher education through articles offering what they say is "expert analysis, debate and insight" which offers ideas about the sector that can be utilised by institutions, policymakers, businesses and public bodies.

Research Excellence Framework

REF stands for Research Excellence Framework — currently underpinning REF 2029 which is the UK's system for assessing excellence in higher education and helping to determine further research funding.

Having picked up that the Government's new Science Minister Chris McDonald was a passionate supporter of brass banding, Mr Kernohan offered his own, 'expert analysis and insight' into the banding world.

However, he soon framed it in offering the usual cliched stereotypes — depending he said on whether "on your disposition and heritage either makes hairs on the back of your neck stand up or is somewhat cloying, leaden and sentimental."

Firmer ground

Thankfully, he seemed on firmer academic ground in trying to explain how the assessment of the music played at competitions was in his opinion, fundamentally, "a way of sharing out a limited resource, with more going to the most deserving or the most proficient."

He added: "Money is what it often comes down to, but esteem and profile are also very desirable. REF, in universities, is used to allocate some funding, but it is equally seen as a means of departments and researchers demonstrating their prowess to people they want to work with."

Not a perfect comparison

It was however he said, "by no means a perfect comparison" — not perhaps helped at his attempt at a humorous misdirection punch-line in saying, "...on the one hand you have a niche activity accreting an enormously complex assessment process that can obsess people to an unhealthy extent and can even act as a detriment to creativity and innovation... and on the other hand you have the world of the British brass band".

More constructively though he added that whilst he felt the method used by the banding world in peer review adjudication became "an industry or community talking to itself", he did feel it did essentially "support everyone in becoming the best they possibly can."

To read:

The Dizzy Brasscals, an award-winning ensemble composed of former brass band players and RNCM alumni is set to launch an exciting new night-club venture in the heart of Manchester next month.

The 'Indie Brass Club' takes place on Thursday 15th October at the city's popular Deaf Institute venue, and will see them provide two energetic 45-minute sets of indie classics, with the audience providing the 'sing-along' vocals.

Banding links

Dizzy Brasscals was founded by professional trumpet player Dave Moore, who studied at the RNCM with friends John Watterson (drums), Adam Bidgood (trumpet), George Hardwick (trombone) and Conall Gormley (sousaphone).

Dave and John also enjoyed spells with the likes of Brighouse & Rastrick and Grimethorpe Colliery.

Wanting to try something a bit different they joined forces to create the ensemble which has since won the 'National Band of the Year' accolade at the 2026 Wedding Industry Awards.

They have also performed at major events such as the F1 British Grand Prix, headlined the Big Feastival alongside Nelly Furtado and played at corporate gigs for leading brands such as Adidas and Virgin.

Indie anthems

Now though they are bringing their intoxicating musical mix close to where they all started their musical careers (the RNCM is just around the corner) for a night of well-known indie anthems from bands including Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, The Courteeners, The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, James, The Smiths, The Fratellis and Pulp.

"We're thrilled to launch the night," Dave told 4BR. "I never quite thought we would be doing this one day, but it's been brilliant and we are all loving it.

Being brass players, we've enjoyed doing so many varied things, from orchestral playing with the Halle and Opera North to session work with James, Shed Seven, Lily Allen and Embrace. We even got gatecrashed by Stockport band Blossoms whilst playing at a recent wedding!"

Brass powered indie makeover

The former National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain player added: "We're giving The Deaf Institute a brass-powered indie makeover!

If you ever wondered what anthems from 'This Charming Man' to 'Sit Down' and 'Mr Brightside' to 'Don't Look Back in Anger' would sound like played by a brass band with you singing along, then this is the night for you — so make sure you come along.

The more brass banders we get the happier we are, as it also gives us a chance to chat and find out what's going on."

To enjoy:

Tickets: £14
https:/­/­www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk/­event/­dizzy-brasscals/