Articles /2015
2015 4BR Awards — 4BR Band of the Year
December 31, 2015
We pick the conductors and players to fill the ranks of the 4BR Band of the Year.
Gallery from 2015 Swiss National Championship — Images of the Championships
December 2, 2015
Gallery of images capturing the 2015 Swiss National Championships (Images by Ian Clowes)
A question of purpose? — The future of the entertainment contest.
December 29, 2015
45 years since the first Granada Band of the Year, has the entertainment contest lost contact with the visionary endeavour of its pioneers?
Gallery from 2015 Swiss National Championship — Images of Conductors: Excellence Division
December 1, 2015
Gallery of action from 2015 Swiss National Championship (Images by Ian Clowes)
2015 4BR Awards — The Results
December 25, 2015
Who has ended the year with an extra present to enjoy in their Christmas stocking from the panel of 4BR experts...
2015 4BR Awards — Long List Nominations
December 23, 2015
We have changed things this year - with a panel of nine experts deciding on the outcome of each of the 4BR Awards, which will be revealed on Christmas Day
Gallery from 2015 Swiss National Championship — Images of Prize Winners
November 29, 2015
Section wins for Valaisia Brass Band, Brass Band Eglisau, Michelsamt, Brass Band Abinchova and Hinterlander Jugend Brass Band (Images by Ian Clowes)
Reckless and ill-considered — ABBA draws Scottish climbdown on Passport controls
November 25, 2015
The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators has ensured that the proposed Scottish Passport to Adjudication scheme has been put on a very long pause...
2015 Brass in Concert Championship — Preview & Predictions
November 12, 2015
4BR looks forward to the 39th Brass in Concert Championship, which takes place at Sage Gateshead this weekend on the foggy banks of the River Tyne...
2015 Foden's Solo, Duet & Ensemble Contest — Images from Sandbach
November 2, 2015
Images from the Foden's Solo, Duet & Ensemble Contest held in Sandbach
Framed for posterity — 2015 National Championship of Great Britain retrospective
November 11, 2015
Malcolm Wood looks back at a memorable National Final festival topped by a remarkable winning performance from Cory - one fit to find its place next to Frank Sinatra and Led Zeppelin.
A Richer Dust — A unique act of Remembrance
November 1, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to composer Nigel Clarke and Andrew Porter of The Band of the Irish Guards about 'A Richer Dust' - an epic composition of time and place...
4BR Interview — Gavin Higgins (Part 2)
October 19, 2015
In the second part of his extensive interview with 4BR, composer Gavin Higgins talks more about 'Dark Arteries' and his future compositional plans.
4BR Interview — Gavin Higgins (Part 1)
October 19, 2015
With the ground breaking 'Dark Arteries' ballet now on its UK tour, Chris Thomas talks to composer Gavin Higgins about the work and it's inspiration.
2016 Festival of Brass — Subtle changes to leading brass band festival at RNCM
October 16, 2015
A world class line up of bands will provide the outstanding music making at the RNCM next January - although there has been a subtle change in emphasis and approach according to its organiser.
Lasting Principals — Nick Walkley and David Read recall Welsh Guards banding life
October 13, 2015
Nick Walkley, current Principal Cornet of the Welsh Guards Band, recently spent a day in the company of David Read MBE, a former member of the band as he made a return visit as part of their centenary year celebrations.
2015 National Championship of Great Britain — Images from the Albert Hall
October 11, 2015
Images from the 2015 National Championship of Great Britain from Albert Hall. Photos by Ian Clowes.
2015 National Championship of Great Britain — Preview & Prediction
October 8, 2015
Bands may need more than contesting spirituality to claim the National title on a wonderfully evocative work by Thomas Doss...
Making more of enthusiasm and endeavour — Brass Bands England AGM
September 24, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox reports on Brass Bands England's efforts to try and overcome the need for hard facts with more than just bright eyed optimism.
2015 National Championships of Great Britain — First Section: Preview & Prediction
September 15, 2015
4BR takes a closer look to find out who may find the secret of contest winning alchemy on Kenneth Hesketh's inventive work.
2015 National Championships of Great Britain — Second Section: Preview & Prediction
September 15, 2015
Here comes the Sun - 4BR enjoys a closer look at another colourful tale as told by composer Stephen Roberts...
2015 National Championships of Great Britain — Third Section: Preview & Prediction
September 14, 2015
4BR looks forward to the delights of Renaissance dance courtesy of another superb work by Oliver Waespi.
2015 National Championships of Great Britain — Fourth Section: Preview & Prediction
September 14, 2015
4BR has a Vision of what might be in store for the 19 competing bands at Cheltenham on the weekend...
4BR Interview — Alison Balsom
September 4, 2015
Before her eagerly anticipated Proms appearance at the Albert Hall this weekend, trumpet star Alison Balsom talks exclusively to 4BR about lust and envy, passions and brass bands...
2015 British Open Championship — Five Symphony Hall reflections
September 10, 2015
Five possible things to reflect on after the British Open at Symphony Hall.
2015 British Open Championship — Retrospective
September 9, 2015
4BR reflects back at a possibly defining Grimethorpe victory at the British Open in Birmingham.
2015 British Open Championship — Images from Birmingham
September 9, 2015
Images from the 2015 British Open Championship from Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Photos by Ian Clowes.
2015 British Open Championship — What the judges thought
September 7, 2015
The official adjudications from the top three bands at this year's British Open at Symphony Hall.
2015 British Open Championship — Preview & Prediction
September 2, 2015
A touch of spice has been added to this year's British Open - although there is nothing new in that...
2015 British Open Championship — Reflections on Swan Lake
September 2, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox peers under the surface of the latest British Open test piece by Stephen Roberts.
2015 British Open Championship — Runners & Riders
September 2, 2015
18 bands will be looking to claim the iconic Golden Trophy with their ballet skills on the weekend at Symphony Hall.
An Army life for me? — 2015 CAMUS Summer Academy
August 31, 2015
The doors of Kneller Hall were opened recently for the free Corps of Army Music Summer Academy - with 44 talented young musicians enjoying their first taste of a possible future professional musical career.
Grimethorpe downunder — Images from Perth
August 20, 2015
Images from Grimethorpe Colliery Band's final Australian Tour performance at Perth Concert Hall. Photos by Alan Edmond.
Soapbox opinion — Heading into a musical cul-de-sac?
August 17, 2015
Sandy Smith argues our increasing reliance on Test Piece Check Lists is in real danger of leaving a musical legacy that is both false and mediocre.
4BR Spotlight interview — 5 minutes with Christian Overhead
August 11, 2015
4BR catches up with Christian Overhead - an Englishman abroad who is making a name for himself with his inventive compositions.
Grimethorpe Downunder — Australia set for Entertainment Kings
August 4, 2015
Grimethorpe Colliery Band is ready to bring their unique brand of brass band entertainment to the audiences of Australia under the baton of Dr Robert Childs.
Prescription pad junkies — The damaging craving for own-choice highs
August 1, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if brass bands have become hooked on the habit of demanding ever more exotically produced artificial highs for own-choice contests.
Student debt of gratitude — A birthday present with a difference
July 29, 2015
4BR meets Dutch anaesthesia medical student Sygrid Mollema to find out why she asked for a 22nd birthday present with a difference...
Soapbox opinion — Small but perfectly formed?
July 26, 2015
Cornet player Russell Cavanagh puts up the argument that a radical musical downsizing approach could be the answer to many bands personnel problems.
4BR Interview — Matt Gee
July 14, 2015
In the latest in the series of interviews with leading professional brass players, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Matt Gee, principal trombone of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lessons learnt — Back to School with Allan Withington's Conducting Course
July 9, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox enjoys the latest Allan Withington Conducting Course in Leeuwarden in Holland - and finds plenty of school reports to be proud of...
Mission accomplished — 4BR talks to Captain Justin Matthews
July 5, 2015
As he prepares for the next chapter in his musical career, 4BR catches up with Captain Justin Matthews to reflect on the historic decision he helped make in creating a trio of professional British Army Brass Bands.
Contest integrity? — The demise of the Corinthian spirit and level playing field
June 14, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders why we have the contest problems we do and finds that it is possibly history just repeating itself...
The lure of gold — The Spring Festival 2015
June 10, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at an engrossing Spring Festival - and the lure of the chance of winning the ultimate golden prize of banding that still attracts bands to Blackpool.
The in out question — What now for banding Eurovision?
June 9, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders what the future holds for EBBA and its Championship following the 2015 event in Freiburg.
Settling the dust cover of history — A look back at Black Dyke's 2015 European triumph
June 2, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at Black Dyke's European win in Freiburg - a victory outcome worked out from a complex contesting equation.
The greatest free show on earth — 2015 Whit Friday
May 28, 2015
4BR looks ahead to what promises to be yet another memorable Whit Friday in Saddleworth and Tameside.
2015 All England Masters International Championship — Preview & Prediction
May 23, 2015
4BR looks forward to the return of the Masters - back up on its contesting feet after a year on the critical list...
2015 Spring Festival — Gallery of Images
May 13, 2015
Action from the 2015 Spring Festival with images by Steve Jack
2015 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy: As it happened
May 9, 2015
All the action from the 2015 Spring Festival Senior Trophy - as it happened.
2015 Spring Festival — Senior Cup: As it happened
May 9, 2015
All the action from the 2015 Spring Festival Senior Cup - as it happened.
2015 Spring Festival — Grand Shield: As it happened
May 9, 2015
All the action from the 2015 Spring Festival Grand Shield - as it happened.
2015 Spring Festival — Introduction to Blackpool
May 8, 2015
4BR looks ahead to the 95th Spring Festival in Blackpool, as 61 bands look to take a step closer to the British Open at Symphony Hall.
2015 Spring Festival — Grand Shield: Preview & Prediction
May 8, 2015
4BR looks forward to the action in the Opera House as 20 bands look to claim their place at the British Open in Birmingham on Arabian Nights.
2015 Spring Festival — Senior Cup: Preview & Prediction
May 8, 2015
4BR looks forward to the action that will take place in the Pavilion Theatre on Eric Ball's Festival Music.
2015 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy: Preview & Prediction
May 8, 2015
4BR looks forward to the action that will unfold on Tallis Variations in the Spanish Ballroom on Saturday.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — European Youth Contest: As it happened
May 3, 2015
All the action from the 2015 European Brass Band Championship - European Youth Contest - as it happened.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Championship Section: As it happened
May 2, 2015
All the action from the 2015 European Brass Band Championship - Championship Section - as it happened.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Challenge Section: As it happened
May 2, 2015
All the action from the 2015 European Brass Band Championship - Challenge Section - as it happened.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Composers Competition: As it happened
April 30, 2015
All the action from the 2015 European Brass Band Championship Composers Competition as it happened.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery of Memories
May 5, 2015
Images from the 2015 European Brass Band Championships in Freiburg. Photography by Ian Clowes
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ Youth Section Awards
May 3, 2015
Gallery from the Awards Ceremony from the Youth Sections. Images by Ian Clowes
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ Awards
May 3, 2015
With images by Ian Clowes a gallery from the Awards Ceremony
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ Draw and Opening Ceremony
May 1, 2015
With images by Ian Clowes a gallery from the Opening Ceremony and Draw within the Historisches Kaufhaus (Freiburg).
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ EYBB in Concert
May 1, 2015
European Youth Brass Band in concert in the Rolf Bohme Saal at the Konzerthaus-Freiburg. Images by Ian Clowes.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ Oberosterreich in Rehearsal
April 30, 2015
Oberosterreich rehearsal in Tiengen (Freiburg) prior to their European Challenge. Images by Ian Clowes
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery ~ EYBB in Rehearsal
April 30, 2015
European Youth Brass Band rehearsing at the Kultur & Burgerhaus Delcanto Hall in Denzlingen. Images by Ian Clowes
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Gallery of Images
April 29, 2015
Images from the 2015 European Brass Band Championships in Freiburg
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Introduction to Freiburg
April 28, 2015
4BR looks forward to the action in Freiburg where EBBA hosts the European Championships with a little help from the Higgs boson particle...
2015 European Brass Band Championship — Championship Section preview & prediction
April 28, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the chances of the twelve bands all looking for that elusive bit of help from above to take the European title.
2015 European Brass Band Championship — The God Particle
April 28, 2015
Chris Davies takes a closer look at the intriguing set work for the Championship Section in Freiburg - Rolf Rudin's 'The God Particle'.
4BR interview — Philippe Schartz
April 22, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox catches up Philippe Schartz to find out more about one of Europe's top orchestral trumpet players and his brass band background.
Soapbox opinion — How to stop National strife
April 22, 2015
Kevin Jordan, MD of Fairlop Band, gives us his personal views on what he felt was right and wrong about the recent Regional qualification contests.
2015 National Youth Championships — Retrospective
April 24, 2015
Despite the fantastic competitive music making on display at the RNCM in Manchester last weekend, Brass Bands England cannot afford to miss another chance to promote and support some brilliant youth bands...
2015 National Youth Championships — Gallery of Images
April 24, 2015
Galley of images from the 2015 National Youth Championships with photography by Steve Jack
2015 National Youth Championships — Awards
April 24, 2015
Gallery from the Awards & Presentations at the 2015 National Youth Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 National Youth Championships — Contest Preview
April 18, 2015
4BR looks forward to the battle for national power at the RNCM in Manchester this weekend - where the musical manifestos will be full of promises that will be delivered on...
5 minute spotlight — 4BR talks to Rob Richardson
April 13, 2015
Malcolm Wood catches up with Fairey's baritone player Rob Richardson who recently returned to top flight banding after a bit of a career break...
Tips from the Top — Expert advice on four lyrical trombone solos
April 5, 2015
Former Central Band of the RAF and Brighouse & Rastrick trombone star Jonathan Pippen picks four classic lyrical solos to help players at all levels of their solo development.
Out of the blue — Recovering and playing with Bell's Palsy
April 1, 2015
Earlier this year, trumpet player Antony Kearns woke up to find paralysis had affected his face. He had been struck by Bell's Palsy...
4BR interview — Ben Gernon
March 31, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox manages to catch up with Ben Gernon - one of the orchestral world's most sought after young conducting talents and a musician with a proud brass band background.
Take 5 — The good, the bad and the opportunity to grasp
March 29, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox gives a personal view on five good points, five bad and one opportunity to grasp after the dust has settled on this year's Regional Championships...
2015 Welsh Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 28, 2015
Iwan Fox looks back on a Welsh Area contest that showed the need for the excellence of the nation's bands to be heard on a different stage...
2015 Welsh Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
March 19, 2015
4BR looks forward to the battle for qualification places in Swansea this weekend as the Welsh Area contest returns to the Brangwyn Hall.
2015 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 27, 2015
Malcolm Wood looks back at thoroughly enjoyable contest weekend in Stevenage, where thankfully it was only a few finger nails that were bitten in brass band anger...
2015 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship — Previews & Predictions
March 19, 2015
4BR looks forward to the battles for London and Cheltenham qualification places at Stevenage.
2015 West of England Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 25, 2015
Iwan Fox looks back on a West of England Regional Championship that just about had it all - win, lose or denied...
2015 West of England Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
March 13, 2015
As always there will be plenty of great action packed in for your entry fee at Torquay as the West of England continues to punch above its co-operative contesting weight...
2015 North of England Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 25, 2015
Malcolm Wood looks back at the start of what looks like becoming a highly enjoyable and encouraging new era of Area contesting in Durham.
2015 North of England Regional Championship — Awards
March 21, 2015
Gallery from the Awards & Presentations at the 2015 North of England Regional Championship. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 North of England Regional Championship — Championship Section
March 21, 2015
Gallery of action from the Championship Section at the 2015 North of England Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 North of England Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
March 12, 2015
After 30 years of Dolphin watching the North of England finds an exciting new water side home - although the smell of chlorine may well be missing...
2015 Scottish Championship — Retrospective
March 27, 2015
Paul Bennett looks back at a highly encouraging event in Perth where growing musical excellence is just in need of a bit more audience support...
2015 Scottish Championship — Previews & Predictions
March 12, 2015
4BR looks forward to the post referendum Great Britain National Championship qualification battles in Perth this weekend.
2015 Midlands Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 11, 2015
There was plenty of competitive action to enjoy in the Midlands on the weekend - and no sign of a canine Dr Crippen to worry about either from beaten rivals...
2015 Midlands Regional Championship — Awards
March 10, 2015
Gallery from the Awards & Presentations at the 2015 Midlands Regional Championships. Pictures by Iwan Fox
2015 Midlands Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
March 6, 2015
Despite the demise of the infamous greasy chip van, 4BR looks forward to the keen battles that will be fought in great venues in the Midlands this year...
2015 Yorkshire Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 11, 2015
There was epic drama to enjoy at the Yorkshire Regional Championship in Bradford - the type of stuff even Hilary Mantel can't top...
2015 Yorkshire Regional Championship — 2nd & 4th Sections
March 10, 2015
Gallery of action from the 2nd and 4th Sections at the 2015 Yorkshire Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 Yorkshire Regional Championship — Championship Section
March 10, 2015
Gallery of action from the Championship Section at the 2015 Yorkshire Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 Yorkshire Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
March 5, 2015
4BR looks forward to the weekend in Bradford, when the locals may well have one eye on the bantams rather than the bands for once...
2015 North West Regional Championship — Retrospective
March 3, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if the economic gurus will be proved right and that the North West powerhouse is going to generate a bright new future of banding prosperity.
2015 North West Regional Championship — Action
March 3, 2015
Gallery of images from around the Winter Gardens at the 2015 North West Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 North West Regional Championship — Championship Section
March 3, 2015
Gallery of action from the Championship Section at the 2015 North West Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 North West Regional Championship — Awards
March 3, 2015
Gallery from the Awards & Presentations at the 2015 North West Regional Championships. Pictures by Steve Jack
2015 North West Regional Championship — Preview & Predictions
February 27, 2015
4BR looks forward to the start of the 2015 Regional Championship qualifiers with what promises to be a cracking day by the sea in Blackpool on Sunday...
2015 Norwegian National Championship — Retrospective from Bergen
February 17, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if a long awaited touch of unpredictability may well be good for Norwegian banding...
Brass in Education — The Wardle Factor
February 17, 2015
4BR's Malcolm Wood catches up with Wardle Academy Director of Performing Arts, Janet Emsley, to find out what it takes to run four successful bands in one educational establishment.
5 minute spotlight — 4BR Talks to Brian Turner CBE
February 17, 2015
Malcolm Wood pops into the kitchen of celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE to find out more about his love for brass banding...
2015 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships — Retrospective
February 14, 2015
Inspiration was and will be the key to future success at the premier youth entertainment event - as Malcolm Wood found out in Blackpool last weekend.
2015 Norwegian National Championship — Bergen preview
February 4, 2015
It seems the Norwegians have gone all French in their desire to rally the elite troops...
2015 Norwegian National Championship — Elite Division: Previews & Prediction
February 4, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox previews the action in the Elite Division of the Norwegian Championships this weekend in Bergen.
2015 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships — Preview & Prediction
February 4, 2015
Malcolm Wood previews the Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships of Great Britain in Blackpool this weekend.
2015 RNCM Festival of Brass — Gallery of Images
February 4, 2015
Galley of images from the 2015 RNCM Festival of Brass with photography by Ian Clowes
2015 Brass at the Guild Hall — Awards
February 2, 2015
Gallery from the Awards & Presentations at the 2015 Brass at the Guild Hall
The new French Revolution — Enthusiasm, Confidence, Virtuosity
February 1, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox enjoys a new call to revolutionary arms that is providing French brass banding with an exciting future...
An English Pastorale — An ABBA analysis of the Fourth Section Area test piece
January 30, 2015
4BR links up with the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators to help shed some contesting light on what the judges may be looking for on the Fourth Section Area work this year.
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championship — As it happened
January 18, 2015
All the action from the 2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - as it happened.
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championship — Championship Section retrospective
January 22, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at a Flowers victory that posed more questions for rivals not at Skegness than it did for those who took to the stage...
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Gallery of Action from Sunday at Butlins
January 21, 2015
Steve Jack was in Skegness on the weekend to record images from 2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Gallery of Action from Set Work Championships
January 21, 2015
Steve Jack was in Skegness on the weekend to record images from 2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships — Gallery of Action from Butlins Championships
January 21, 2015
Steve Jack was in Skegness on the weekend to record images from 2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championships
2015 Butlins Mineworkers Championship — Previews & Predictions
January 15, 2015
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks forward to the start of the 2015 contest season at Butlins.
5 minute spotlight — 4BR talks to musician Paul Duffy
January 10, 2015
4BR's Malcolm Wood catches up with Paul Duffy and discovers that although Black Dyke remains in his blood, his own musical journey has Only Just Begun.
5 minute spotlight — 4BR talks to composer Simon Dobson
January 2, 2015
4BR's Malcolm Wood catches up with composer Simon Dobson to find out about his second British Composer Award win and the launch of his recent dream inspired CD.
2014 4BR Awards — The Results
January 5, 2015
The votes have been counted and the 2014 winners can be revealed...
