Articles - 2005

26-Dec-2005
Old Buggers in Banding - James Baldwin
James Baldwin, a member of Traralgon City Band in Victoria, is yet another banding icon who has shaped the foundations of banding Downunder.

15-Dec-2005
Daniel in the Lion's Den - Boroondara Brass
Twenty-one-year-old Daniel van Bergen is set for the biggest challenge of his young life.

12-Dec-2005
Greater Bendigo Concert Brass - Reunion
Greater Bendigo Concert Brass is calling all current and retired players and their families, supporters and friends to participate in a reunion over the weekend of 4th & 5th February, 2006.

31-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - 4BR Band of the Year
Who are the players (and conductor) who we have chosen as the 4BR Band of the Year for 2005? Some great performers from all around the world have made it into our band for us, but do you agree with our choices?

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Introduction and categories
It's time to get your thinking caps on and start to vote in the categories to see who you think has been the best of the best in 2005.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - 4BR Special Award
Every year we make a special award to someone, or an organisation who we believe has enhanced the brass band movement, not only in the past 12 months but perhaps throughout their lifetime. This year we are proud to make that award to David Gallaher of the

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Contest Performance of the Year
Here is a real tricky one for you to vote on. What was the very best contest performance you heard during 2005 - and we don't just mean one that took the winners prize either. There is a possible endless selection to choose from...

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Test Piece of the Year
What was the best piece any band performed during 2005 then? Lots of stuff played - some great, some good, some not worthy of a mention maybe?

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Newcomer of the Year
Which talent do you think made the biggest new impression on the banding scene during 2005. Lots to choose from as someone and something has created a real impression in the last 12 months.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Lower Section Band of the Year
Who were the best Lower Section/Youth Band in 2005 then? Some quite brilliant achievements during the past 12 months from lots of bands, so if you think your band were the best, then get voting.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Solo CD of the Year
Some of the very best performers in the movement have released CDs this year, and all have been of fantastic quality. It's going to be a pretty difficult choice for you to make.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - CD/DVD of the Year
There have been some fine recordings released by numerous band during the past 12 months, but which one did you think was the best of the lot. There was plenty to choose from.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Player of the Year
We have some of the greatest talents in the world within our movement, but who do you think was the one absolute star of the year.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Conductor of the Year
Who do you think should gain the accolade as the best stickman (or woman) for 2005. There have been some pretty exciting talents on show on the podium in the past 12 months, but who do you think was the best.

9-Dec-2005
2005 4BR Awards - Band of the Year
Who do you think should be awarded the accolade as the 4BR Band of the Year for 2005. Plenty to choose from isn't there?

5-Dec-2005
2005 Tameside Youth Brass Festival - Contest retrospective
Malcolm Wood was at Tameside last weekend to enjoy a great entertainment event - it even brought back memories of Jim Montgomery and Bob Stokoe!

2-Dec-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - Contest retrospective
What happens when you get 17 bands playing 14 different test pieces? The Scottish Open found out what on the weekend.

30-Nov-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Glasgow
Glasgow is a great city with a great big divide: Football and Brass Bands - there was nothing to choose between them on the weekend - just ask the conductors and managers.

25-Nov-2005
2005 Wilkinson Open Brass Band Championship - Retrospective
It may have been a cold old day in St. Helens but 35 bands braved the elements to battle it out for the prizes. John James was there to and to listen for 4BR.

25-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championships - Contest retrospective
Brass in Concert at The Sage, Gateshead proved to be a superbly organsied event at a great venue. So did the contributions of the bands prove just as memorable?

25-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championships - Postcard from Gateshead
A fantastic venue, great organisation but lots of wood and black and white everywhere you look! 4BR enjoyed Brass in Concert.

25-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championships - The Humour Stakes
Making people laugh is a serious business at the best of times, so why do brass bands still think entertainment equals belly laughs. 4BR looks back at the humour, or lack of it, at Brass in Concert this year.

25-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championships - The Fashion stakes
4BR's Trinny and Suzannah were on hand at the weekend to see what was hot and what was not. All in the best possible taste of course!

23-Nov-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - Introduction and Predictions
The Scottish Open is one of the best organised brass band contests in the UK, but it is still facing an uncertain future. Can the 2005 version bring in the crowds for what is on paper a cracking event?

24-Nov-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - The Runners and Riders
17 bands line up at the Royal Concert Hall with their own choice selections at the ready. 4BR casts its eye over them all.

23-Nov-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - The Scottish Challenge Shield
4BR has a quick glance at the five bands that will be taking to the stage to try and gain domestic honours at the first Socttish Challenge Shield contest.

23-Nov-2005
2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships - The Adjudicators [All sections]
These are the men in the box this year for the different sections of the event. So now you know who you need to impress.

21-Nov-2005
4BR Interview - Professor Philip Wilby
The man who has brought us some of the finest works ever written for the brass band medium talks to 4BR's Chris Thomas about his influences and those great works themselves.

21-Nov-2005
The Flying Soprano Star - Alex Kerwin
Soprano star Alex Kerwin has had a busy couple of months after racking up the air miles once again to fly back to the UK and Europe. This is her diary for yet another journey in her busy schedule - this time with here children in tow!

14-Nov-2005
2005 SIDDIS Championships - Contest retrospective
4BR takes a look back at the premier Norwegian Entertainment Contest, which this year saw the Elite Division title taken by Eikanger.

14-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championship - Introduction and Predictions
A new era in the UK's premier banding contest takes place this weekend when 11 of the best in the land take to the stage at The Sage, Gateshead to entertain a packed house of 1500 people.

16-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championship - Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the 11 bands that will be trying to take home with them the most prestigious entertainment title in the business.

15-Nov-2005
2005 Brass in Concert Championships - The Adjudicators
These are the judges who the bands and soloists will have to impress this weekend.

10-Nov-2005
2005 British Open Solo and Quartet Championships - Retrospective
Malcolm Wood and Dave Tinker enjoyed themselves at Hyde Town Hall as a record number of contestants, but a poor turn out from the listeners took part in the prestigious event.

10-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - Contest Retrospective
There was no doubt the Americans are improving, but are they improving in the right way? 4BR was there to find out and to sample US brass band entertainment at its best.

10-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Chicago
Chicago is 4BR's kind of town. Lots of sport and beer for sure, but it is also a city that has its problems. This is what we found out on our second trip here.

10-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - An American view by Pat Herak
Pat Herak is 4BR's man in the States, and these are his thoughts on his first visit to the US Open.

2-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - Runner and Riders
4BR looks at the seven runners and riders for this years events at Arlington Heights.

2-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - The Judges
These are the three men who will judge the bands here. Oh, and they be explaining themselves to the bands on the Sunday morning as well!

2-Nov-2005
2005 US Open Brass Band Championships - Introduction and dodgy predictions
4BR will be heading across the 'Big Pond' later this week to sample the delights of Chicago Illinois and the US Open Brass Band Championships. It promises to be another great event.

2-Nov-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Mortimer Championship Retrospective
It was Staffordshire who were the one band to make all the figures add up the right way on the weekend, when other simply found their musical arithmatic on Herbert Howell's odd old piece went astray.

2-Nov-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - First Section Retrospective
Even in a huge 26 band field there was no doubt about who was the deserved winner here. Marsden and Glyn Williams took inspiration from the Fodens of 1928 and 1964 and it certainly paid off.

8-Nov-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Second Section Retrospective
Wire Brass put the disappointment of Harrogate firmly behind them by winning the Second Section here - and also managed to overcome the dreaded 4BR prediction curse as well!

2-Nov-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Third Section Retrospective
On a day when the tuning problems led to some forthright views from one of the judges, it was Flixton who certainly kept things in check to take the Third Section title.

2-Nov-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Fourth Section Retrospective
There was only one winner here in the Fourth Section - and with the organisation they have in place, Oldham Band (Lees) could by looking at a long winning streak indeed.

28-Oct-2005
South Australian State Band Championships - Retrospective
The South Australian State Band Championships were held last Saturday in the picturesque Barossa Valley.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - The Winners [1974-2004]
In the 31 years a lot of bands have been declared the winners here, but these are the ones who the most first prizes.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - The adjudicators records [1974-2005]
Lots of famous and not so famous judges have been in the box over the years here. 4BR has compiled the longest list ever on who was where and when - and who gave you a prize or not from 1974 to 2005!

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - The Pontins experience
Pontins is a right of passage; an essential part of a player's and band's evolutionary process. If you haven’t been to the sun-kissed beaches of the North Wales coast in late October for a weekend of unadulterated pleasure, then you haven't lived.

27-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Mortimer Championship: Intro & Prediction
4BR will be at Pontins this weekend when over 100 bands will try and take home with them the 5 Pontins titles on offer. The Championship Section meanwhile offers a real test for some very well matched bands.

28-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Mortimer Championship - Runners and Riders
There is a fair line up of quality bands to be found at Pontins this year all trying to take home with them the Harry and Margaret Mortimer Title on a piece with a fair bit of history to itself.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Preview: First Section - Runners and Riders
It should be a keenly fought fight in the First Section as a whole raft of bands will make the trip to Prestatyn confident of picking up the top prize on a classic work from bandings past.

28-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Preview: Second Section - Runners and Riders
A huge turn out of bands should mean a marathon not a sprint to the title here, but with a very crafty choice of test piece that makes demands on the musicianship of the performers, it should lead to a long but enjoyable day.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Preview: Third Section - Runners and Riders
A slightly smaller field this year, but one packed with bands who are more than capable of winning and winning well here. Should make for a fair old scrap for the bunce on offer then.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Preview: Fourth Section - Runners and Riders
A neat and clever test piece, plenty of tunes and a hatful of bands should make for a cracking contest here on the Saturday.

26-Oct-2005
2005 Pontins Championships - Adjudicators
These are the men in the box this weekend - and the men the bands will have to try and impress.

18-Oct-2005
South Australian State Band Championships - Preview
Eight brass bands will compete this weekend in the South Australian Band Championships, to be held at Chataeu Tanunda in the beautiful Barossa Valley.

18-Oct-2005
2005 Besson National Championships of Great Britain - Contest retrospective
Off a terrible draw and against some pretty stiff opposition coming straight after them, did Leyland really did shock us all by winning the 2005 Nationals?

18-Oct-2005
2005 Besson National Championships of Great Britain - A Kensington Postcard
The Royal Albert Hall is the biggest and best place to win a brass band contest - even when you do it with a bit of a conjurors trick.

17-Oct-2005
2005 Besson National Championships of Great Britain - No Gray days in 2005
Russell Gray now has his name in the history books as a National winning conductor in a year when everything he has directed has just about been a winner as well.

17-Oct-2005
2005 Besson National Championships of Great Britain - Leyland beat the draw too!
If winning the 2005 Nationals Championships wasn't enough - Leyland did it off the most unproductive and unluckiest draw number at the contest since 1968 as well!

17-Oct-2005
2005 Besson National Championships of Great Britain - Happy days are here again for Leyland
After a peiord of uncertainty, Leyland are back as National Champions in a dream come true for some dedicated players and an inspirational MD.

11-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the records of the 20 bands who will take to the stage trying to win the title this weekend.

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - The Conductors Records
4BR looks at the records of the 19 conductors (Nigel Taken has two bites of the forbidden apple on Eden) trying to add a National title to their CV this year to see if they are really as good as their record suggests.

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - The Composer - Dr John Pickard
Dr John Pickard is one of the most refreshing new composers to write for brass band - a medium he is no stranger to.

14-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - Test Piece Review - Eden
Iwan Fox looks at Eden - a piece that is as significant as Contest Music and Cloudcatcher Fells and a new dimension in the art of writing a test piece for brass band.

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - The Adjudicators
David Read, Malcolm Brownbill and John Berryman are the omnipotent trio deciding the Eden fates this year in the box.

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - John Milton and Paradise Lost
If you want to know where the inspiration for 'Eden' comes from, then 4BR has found out all about the poet John Milton and his great work. Don't say we don't try and educate you...

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - The luck of the draw: 1968 - 2004
4BR has updated the records to show which draw numbers may give your band that little bit of an extra slice of luck come draw time - and which ones won't.

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - 105 Useless facts and figures
4BR has updated our useless facts and figures for you. So if you are bored between bands try and find the year when a monkey orchestra and its conductor was a main attraction at the venue (and they were not competing!)

10-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - The 10 Greatest Winning performances
In the last couple of years there have been some good winning performances, but have they been any better than the top 10 we have picked. See what you think?

11-Oct-2005
2005 National Championships of Great Britain - Introduction and Dodgy Predictions
This could very well be a critical year for the Nationals and its future. Will there be a full hall to hear the 2005 Champion Band of Great Britain and if so, who do we think it is going to be?

9-Oct-2005
Profile Interview - Matthew Van Emmerik
Matthew Van Emmerik is a talented young Australian who has gained international acclaim as a euphonium player.

30-Sep-2005
2005 Besson National Finals - First Section retrospective
Malcolm Wood looks back with a sense of deja vu as Yorkshire Imps take the First Section title and book themselves a place back in the big time of Yorkshire's elite.

30-Sep-2005
2005 Besson National Finals - Second Section retrospective
Malcolm Wood looks back at a contest won by the St. Keverne band from Cornwall that was overshadowed by the comments of one of the adjudicators - rightly or wrongly.

30-Sep-2005
2005 Besson National Finals - Third Section retrospective
John James certainly enjoyed himself listening to the bands in the Third Section - especially as all the bands brought something to a quite fantastic test piece by Philip Harper.

30-Sep-2005
2005 Besson National Finals - Fourth Section retrospective
4BR looks back at one of the very best Fourth Section contests of recent times - one that really did have everything.

29-Sep-2005
2005 Besson National Finals - Postcard from Harrogate
4BR had a fine time in the 'posh' town of Harrogate - enjoying the delights of the playing, the organisation, the cuisine - but not the orange shower in the hotel!

22-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - First Section Runners and Riders
4BR has a look at all the runners and riders in the First Section hoping to be crowned National Champions this weekend.

20-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - Second Section Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the runners and riders in the Second Section - all hoping to leave Harrogate crowned as National Champions.

24-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - Third Section Runners and Riders
4BR casts its eye over the bands here in the Third Section hoping to leave Harrogate crowned as National Champions.

24-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - Fourth Section Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the bands who are looking to master Darrol Barry's tricky work and leave Harrogate crowned as National Champions.

20-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - Test Piece Reviews
4BR has a look at the four test pieces and the four composers whose works will be on show this weekend.

20-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - The Adjudicators
These are the eight men who the bands will have to try and impress this weekend at Harrogate. A great selection of talent and experience – they have all done it and worn the t-shirts, so it will be mighty difficult to pull the wool over their eyes or ears

22-Sep-2005
2005 Lower Section National Finals - Introduction and Predictions
This weekend sees a plethora of bands converge on the posh bit of Yorkshire called Harrogate, all to have a great musical scrap to see who will be crowned National Champions for 2005.

20-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - Contest retrospective
4BR looks back on a day when Black Dyke took one step closer to achieving a 2005 'Triple Crown'.

19-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - The Adjudicators Remarks
This is what William Relton, Derek Broadbent and Nigel Boddice wrote about the top six prize winning performances.

19-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - Postcard from Birmingham
There was plenty to see and hear in Birmingham on the weekend - although you did need some opthalmic help with certain things.

15-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the 18 contenders from the UK and the USA, who will be trying to put their names on the famous Gold Trophy for all eternity.

12-Sep-2005
2005 British Oopen Championships - Test Piece Review: A Night to Sing
4BR looks at the new work, inspired by one of the most emotional days in British history - ’The Night To Sing’ by Bramwell Tovey

12-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - Composer: Bramwell Tovey
4BR looks at the career of the composer of the set work for this year's contest.

12-Sep-2005
British Open Championships - The Open and the War Years
This year's test piece may remember the end of the Second World War in Europe, but somehow the British Open survived the priod 1939 - 1944. 4BR finds out what the years were like.

12-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - The Conductors Records
4BR looks at the track records of the 18 men who will take to the stage this year to try and get their name on the most famous trophy in the banding world.

19-Sep-2005
2005 British Open Championships - Introduction and Predictions
It is the greatest brass band contest in the world; full of passion, talent, brilliant performers and performances and with more than a sprinkling of controversy. Welcome to the 153rd British Open Brass Band Championships.

11-Sep-2005
New South Wales State Band Championships - Retrospective
The New South Wales State Band Championships goes down as one of the highlights of the banding year for 4BRDU.

1-Sep-2005
New South Wales State Brass Band Championships - Preview
Twenty seven bands will be participating in the NSW Championships this weekend, to be held in the Macquarie Theatre at the Macquarie University, Ryde.

1-Oct-2005
4BR Downunder Profile Interview - Mark Fitzpatrick
With all the attention the poor old soprano cornet has been receiving lately, it is appropriate to profile one of our rising stars.

21-Aug-2005
Victorian Brass Band Championships - Retrospective
Last weekend Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat was alive with the sound of brass as the Royal South Street Society hosted the brass solo, ensemble and band championships in conjunction with the Victorian Bands’ League.

9-Aug-2005
National Secondary Schools Brass Band of New Zealand - 2005
A course to remember: the rucksacks and holdalls were being carelessly dragged across the mud; the contrast of hugging and shuffling shyness between teenagers was noticeable.

30-Jul-2005
Old Buggers in Banding - Jack Lapthorne
Jack Lapthorne is an amazing old bugger. At the age of 88 he plays Second Baritone with Marion City Band in South Australia – and the remarkable thing about this is that after a 66-year break from playing, he took it up again at the age of 86!

30-Jul-2005
Interview with C. Brian Buckley - ABBA Secretary talks with Iwan Fox
Iwan Fox talks to C. Brian Buckley, the Secretary of the Adjudicators Association to find out what opinions they have about the way in which they see their role in banding's future.

24-Jul-2005
Thoughts on adjudication Part 2 - by Dallas Niermeyer
Dallas Niermeyer continues his series of thoughts on adjudication.

24-Jul-2005
Bougeois on the box - again! - Stephen Didcott revisits Bourgeois thesis
Over 25 years ago, Derek Bourgeois wrote about his views on brass band contesting. Now, Stephen Didcott looks at his thought provoking topic again.

19-Jul-2005
Interview with Philip Watson - The man with the hardest job in banding?
Iwan Fox talks to Philip Watson,the Development Officer for the BFBB, who has the difficult job of raising the profile of the banding movement - all in 25 hours a week.

17-Jul-2005
4BR Downunder Profile Interview - Dom Harvey
4BR Downunder recently caught up with the energetic and talented Dom Harvey in Adelaide where he guest conducted the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for their Zeppelin Flies Again Concerts.

18-Jul-2005
2005 World Brass Band Championships - Lower Section retrospective
Pete Meechan and 4BR took time out to listen to the contenders for the other World Championships on offer for the brass bands in Kerkrade, where the Brits put up a great fight on a pretty uneven playing field.

18-Jul-2005
2005 World Brass Band Championships - Contest retrospective
Pete Meechan was on hand for 4BR to listen and comment on the bands taking part in the inaugural Brass Band World Championships, and see impeccable Swiss timing win the day.

15-Jul-2005
2005 World Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Kerkrade
Pat Herak was on duty for 4BR at the World Championships in Kerkrade and he cast his all seeing American eye on an event that boasted bands, beer and horse meat sausages!

14-Jul-2005
4BR Downunder Profile Interview - Anniken Ødegård
Midland Brick Brass in Western Australia is lucky to have this gorgeous and talented young lady as a member of their band playing cornet. 4BR Downunder caught up with her recently at the WA State Band Championships.

10-Jul-2005
2005 World Brass Band Championships - Preview: Championship Bands and Prediction
4BR looks at the seven bands who hope to leave Kerkrade crowned as World Champions.

5-Jul-2005
2005 World Brass Band Championships - Introduction
4BR casts its introductory beady eye over the forthcoming World Championships in Kerkrade this weekend. Who will come back with the prize and the title of Champions of the World?

24-Jun-2005
James Morrison - 4BR Profile interview
At the recent Black Dyke 150th Anniversary Concert in Manchester the star of the show was the Wizard of Oz, James Morrison. Iwan Fox met up with him for a quick chat about his great and not so great moments as well as his amazing playing!

21-Jun-2005
2005 Queensland State Band Championships - Contest Retrospective
Maryborough, Queensland was the terrific setting for the Queensland State Band Championships over the June long weekend this year. Maryborough is currently celebrating 150 years, and the competition was part of this year-long celebration in which the town

21-Jun-2005
2005 Western Australian State Band Championships - Contest retrospective
Music Auditorium, Churchlands Senior High School, Churchlands (Perth) WA, Saturday 4th June to Monday 6th June 2005.

8-Jun-2005
2005 Wigan Brass and Bier Fest - Contest retrospective
John James enjoyed himself with hundreds more, especially Glyn Williams and his Marsden Band who took top honours at the JJB Brass and Bier Fest contest. This is what he made of it all.

5-Jun-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Retrospective
4BR looks back at the Cambridge examination on Cloudcatcher Fells, when the Scottish Co-op were the best prepared to conquer the great Lake District peaks.

5-Jun-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Postcard from Cambridge
4BR looks back at the day in the hot and humid atmosphere of the Corn Exchange and wonders if it was all worth it?

28-May-2005
2005 Whit Friday - Retrospective
4BR's Malcolm Wood was out and about on Whit Friday to soak up the atmosphere of this unique event in the banding world. This is what he remembers about it all!

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Test Piece Review
4BR looks at the test piece - John McCabe's classic 'Cloudcatcher Fells' - a piece of technical brilliance and sublime beauty.

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - 53 things you need to know - honest!
4BR gives you the 53 indispensible facts you need to know about the contest.

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Dedicated Service Award - Ted Griffith
4BR pays tribute to Ted Griffiths - a man who has really given his life to the banding movement and who has ensured generations to come will enjoy it too.

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Anorak Heaven - the records
All the statistics you need to have at your fingertips if you want to bore your friends in the pub on a wet Sunday afternoon.

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - The Conductors and their records
4BR has a look at the records of the 19 men who will be looking to add the title 'Masters Champion' to their CV and pick up a cool £1000 for themselves into the bargain.

26-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - The Competing Bands
4BR casts its eye over the 19 bands that will take to the stage here on Sunday hoping to become the first International Masters Champion.

24-May-2005
2005 All England Masters International Championship - Preview and prediction
4BR has a look at the regenerated but pragmatic International Masters and tries to work out who we think may be crowned as the first champions.

9-Jun-2005
Families in Banding - Episode 1
4BRDU looks at four banding families; The Magins, the Bains, the McDonalds and the Bowmans, all of whom have brass banding in their blood.

18-May-2005
Masterclass number 4 - Dystonia and Valsalva - by Roger Webster
Continuing his series, Dr. Roger Webster looks at two serious problems that can cause great problems for players - Dystonia and Valsalva.

6-Jun-2005
Hilda Tansey (1901 - 1975) - Australia's First Lady Conductor
Barbara Turner takes an affectionate personal look back at the remarkable career of Hilda Tansey (1901-1975), one of Australia's great brass pioneers.

11-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Retrospective: Senior Trophy
John James was on hand to listen to a whole hatful of quality performances on Edward Gregson's test piece. In the end though it was the Alliance movement that pipped the Temperance brigade to top spot.

11-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Retrospective: Senior Cup
Montage proved to be one heck of a test for the bands in the Senior Cup, but the winners perhaps took inspiration from the set work in the Grand Shield, and left with the last laugh - especially over 4BR!

11-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Retrospective: Grand Shield
4BR looks back at a Grand Shield that certainly lived up to its reputation and gave the Hepworth (Persimmon Homes) Band another title to its name.

11-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Postcard from Blackpool
4BR enjoyed the weekend in Blackpool - really we did, although trying to enjoy the nightlife was a bit beyond a couple of Methodist Chapel boys from the Valleys.

11-May-2005
2005 European Championships - Composers talk - Johan de Meij
John James was on hand to hear the composer of Extreme Make Over give his thoughts and fancies on the inspiration behind his work - from Tchaikovsky to Frank Zappa.

4-May-2005
2005 European Championships - Open Forum and Press Conference
EBBA used the Groningen event to open up a debate about its future, as well as fielding some detailed questions about Wales, YBS and even its accounts.

4-May-2005
2005 European Championships - 3rd Conductors Competition
4BR looks back at a night when the performance of the presenter outshone the bands, soloist and the three young conductors - for all the wrong reasons.

4-May-2005
2005 European Championships - Retrospective - B Section
John James was up early in the morning to enjoy the B Section, and was treated to an absolute masterclass from the Austrians and a touch of genius from an ex Vienna Philharmonic trumpet player.

5-May-2005
2005 European Championships - Championship Section retrospective
4BR looks back at Black Dyke's triumph on a weekend when there were many unanswered questions - but not about who deserved to win.

4-May-2005
2005 European Championships - Overall Impressions
The 2005 European was the chance for EBBA to show the banding world that the European is safe in thier hands - but did Groningen really give us the blueprint for the future without Besson?

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - Band by band analysis
20 quality bands line up here to tackle a very difficult set work, and try to gain one of the four promotion places to the Grand Shield. Some famous names mix with some rising stars for what should be a keenly fought contest.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Belle Vue Time Line [1819-2004]
The Grand Shield came into being in 1921 and has a history and heritage that is inextricably linked with the British Open Contest and the Belle Vue Gardens in Manchester. This is the time line that it has created over the years since 1819.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Qualifiers at the Open [1991-2004]
4BR takes a look at how the qualifiers from the Grand Shield to the British Open have done since 1991.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Masquerade – the Euphonium ‘Everest’
The euphonium players of the 21 bands in the Grand Shield will be having a few sleepless nights ahead of 'Masquerade' this weekend, as they tackle on of the hardest euphonium cadenzas ever written. Mark Bousie investigates.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - The test pieces
4BR looks at the three test pieces to be used this weekend in Blackpool; Philip Wilby's immense 'Masquerade', Peter Graham's electrifying 'Montage' and Edward Gregson's groundbreaking 'Connotations'.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - The adjudicators
A very experienced line up of judges this year for the bands to try and impress. No news to which section they will go, but you may get some idea if you read on.

6-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy - Band by band analysis
20 bands will be battling it out in the Spanish Hall playing Gregson's Connotation trying to gain promotion to the Senior Cup.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy - Introduction and dodgy predictions
One of the real indications that the revamped Spring Festival has become a success has been the amount of bands who now clamber to try and get an invitation to the Senior Trophy. Who will it be?

6-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - Band by Band analysis
20 quality bands line up here to tackle a very difficult set work, and try to gain one of the four promotion places to the Grand Shield. Some famous names mix with some rising stars for what should be a keenly fought contest.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Senior Cup - Introduction and dodgy predictions
If you thought the Grand Shield was a hard contest to pick a winner from, the this year’s Senior Cup will also get you scratching your head and wondering who out of the 20 bands on show will have the class to either take the title or pick up one of the qu

6-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Grand Shield - Band by band analysis
We cast our eye over the 22 bands on show this Saturday in Blackpool. Plenty of talented players, determined MDs and lots and lots of pure unbridled ambition to get to Birmingham.

5-May-2005
2005 Spring Festival - Grand Shield - Introduction and dodgy predictions
22 quality bands line up to test their luck and fortune on Philip Wilby's 'Masquerade', but which one do we think will leave the Winter Gardens as Shakepsear said, with the last laugh?

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - 65 Facts and Figures
4BR has updated our useless facts and figures for you to cast an eye over and inwardly digest. You can amaze your friends with all the trivia here (if you have any left that is).

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - Groningen and the Martiniplaza
For those of you with a bent for a bit of culture, 4BR gives a pocket history of the city of Groningen and some info on the Martiniplaza venue where it will all take place.

4-May-2005
2005 European Championships - The Stats Archive [1978-2005]
4BR brings you all the statistics you need to know about from 1978 to 2005 about the European Championship.

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - Own choice selections
There are nine bands taking part this year, but only six pieces of own choice music will be used. However, two of them have never been heard here before and the rest are classics of their generation.

27-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - Extreme Make-Over - Set Test Piece
4BR has been listening to this year's cracking new test piece from the pen of Johan de Meij, Extreme Make-Over - Metamorphosis on a Theme of Tchaikovsky.

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - The Adjudicators
4BR looks at the CVs of the six men charged with picking the 2005 Champion Band of Europe.

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - First section championships
The B Section this year sees six bands take to the stage in what is becoming an ever more important contest for the future of the Championships and for the movement as a whole. This is the future and it needs your support.

26-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - Band by band analysis
We have a look at the records of the nine competing bands all hoping to leave the Martiniplaza shaken and not stirred into becoming the 28th Champion Band of Europe.

25-Apr-2005
2005 European Championships - Introduction and dodgy predictions
There is a fine line up of bands for what could be the start of a new beginning or perhaps the end of a great dream. Who will leave the Martiniplaza as Champions though?

20-Apr-2005
2005 British Federation of Brass Bands - AGM
John James was at the BFBB AGM and reports on what proved to be a tension filled meeting as Chairman Robert Morgan took the gloves off in his annual report and had a eloquent bash at a few sacred cows of the movement.

18-Apr-2005
Black Dyke - A Century of Recordings - by Tim Mutum
Tim Mutum is the foremost authority on brass band recordings, and for this article for 4BR he looks at the plethora of recordings that Black Dyke has made over the years.

18-Apr-2005
Yorkshire invades New Zealand - Part 2: 26 March - 2 April
In the second part of her exclusive diary, Tabby Clegg and the Yorkshire Co-op Band build up to their appearance at the National Championships, the Band of the Year contest and finally a bit of relaxation before the long trip home.

18-Apr-2005
Yorkshire invades New Zealand - Part 1: 16-25 March
Back from its mammoth adventure on the other side of the world, members of the United Co-op Yorkshire Brass Band now have plenty of experiences to cherish and stories to tell! Tabby Clegg kept a two part diary exclusively for 4barsrest.

6-Jun-2005
2005 National Band of New Zealand - European Tour
The 2005 National Band of New Zealand is preparing for its forthcoming European Tour. 4BR Down Under looks at the itinery, the lineup of personnel and the history of the band that hopes to come back as World Champions.

10-Jan-2006
Motivating Youth - by Veronica Bowman
Teacher and youth band conductor Veronica Bowman from South Australia gives her opinions and thoughts on motivating students and encouraging them to continue playing.

14-Apr-2005
The great Gracie Cole - My Story
Brian Ravenhill has been researching all about the famous Ivy Benson and her All Girl Band. One of the most famous players in the band was Gracie Cole, who was no stranger to the brass band world (even at Grimethorpe) in the 1940s.

13-Apr-2005
4BR Interview - Simon Dobson
The talented young composer Simon Dobson continues to make new fans with his music – this time at the National Youth Brass Band Championships. 4BR caught up with him in Manchester and talked to him about his new work and his future plans.

15-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Retrospective: Junior Championship
4BR had to get up early to listen to the Junior Championships, but it was well worth while as Camborne Youth took the honours with a cracking performance to take the top award back on the long road to Cornwall.

15-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Retrospective: Schools Championships
Smithills and Chris Wormald do it again - this time by a short head from Abraham Darby and Wardle High in the Schools Section.

16-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Retrospective: County Championship
4BR reviews the County Championship, where the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the winning MD was reflected in the performance of her brilliant Gold winning band.

14-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Retrospective: Community Championship
4BR looks back at the largest section on the day when a Mount Charles Youth literally stood out from the rest in winning the title.

14-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Retrospective: Premier Championship
4BR looks back at the Premier Championship where a mythical sinking by Simon Dobson was perhaps the real highlight of a day where the bands didn't quite match the brilliance of his test piece 'Lyonesse'.

18-May-2005
NABBC: Diploma in Adjudicating - Notes for Candidates
There are some notes that you need to have a look at if you are thinking about taking the Diploma exams.

18-May-2005
NABBC: Diploma in Adjudicating - Pre-study course details
The NABBC offers a pre study course for those who wish to take the opportunity to get a qualification in brass band adjudicating.

28-May-2005
NABBC: Diploma in Adjudicating - Introduction
Fancy learning the the art of adjudicating. The National Association of Brass Band Conductors and the University of Salford have a Diploma available for those who wish to study.

7-Apr-2005
2005 Mellieha International Band Festival - Malcolm Wood revisits Malta
Sunday 27-Thursday 31st March Mellieha, Malta

5-Apr-2005
2005 Tameside Open - Contest retrospective
4BR looks back at the recent Tameside Open, which saw a top section victory go to a band having a great 2005 after a poor 2004.

9-Apr-2005
2005 National Youth Championships - Contest preview
4BR looks ahead to what promises to be a great Sunday of brass band playing at the Royal Northern College of Music.

4-Apr-2005
The adjudicator - by Trevor Walmsley
The late and great Trevor Walmsley DFC gave this personal appraisal of the adjudicators art back in 1986.

4-Apr-2005
The knotty problem of adjudication - by Stephen Roberts
The composer Stephen Roberts has plenty of experience of being in the box. Here he gives his thoughts on adjudication problems.

3-Apr-2005
A brief history of American judging - by Dallas Niermeyer
Dallas Niermeyer gives us a brief overview of the history of brass band adjudication in America. Can the British learn anything from the American experience?

3-Apr-2005
Adjudication - The debate
Is there an answer to the problem of adjudicating a brass band contest? Three men of the movement have given their views about the subject, from 1986 to date.

4-Apr-2005
2005 Regionals Retrospective - What happened where...
Malcolm Wood looks back at the highs and lows of this years Regional Championships.

6-Jun-2005
2005 Australian National Championships - D and Junior Grade retrospectives
4BR Downunder takes a look back at the 2005 D and Junior Grade Australian National Band Championships held at the Adelaide University in South Australia at the end of last month.

6-Jun-2005
2005 Australian National Championships - C Grade retrospective
4BR Downunder takes a look back at the 2005 C Grade Australian National Band Championships held at the Adelaide University in South Australia at the end of last month.

1-Jul-2005
2005 Australian National Championships - B Grade retrospective
4BR Downunder takes a look back at the 2005 B Grade Australian National Band Championships held at the Adelaide University in South Australia at the end of last month.

6-Jun-2005
2005 Australian National Championships - A Grade retrospective
4BR Downunder takes a look back at the 2005 A Grade Australian National Band Championships held at the Adelaide University in South Australia at the end of last month.

6-Jun-2005
2005 New Zealand National Championships - Contest retrospective
4BR looks back at a fine week of banding in windy Wellington where Gothenburg took the top honours at the 125th New Zealand National Championships.

6-Jun-2005
2005 New Zealand National Championships - Introduction
4BR is out in New Zealand soaking up the atmosphere ahead of this weekend's 125th National Championships.

23-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: London and Southern Counties - Fourth Section Retrospective
Due to the problems of not having enough man power we can only give a brief account of Norfolk Wherry's fine win at Stevenage. Sorry folks.

23-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: London & Southern Counties - Retrospective: Third Section
Peter Bale looks back at the Third Section where Jersey Premier Brass and Gavin Saynor top the top prize and clinched 1 of 3 qualification spots for Harrogate with their assured performance of Tam O'Shanter.

22-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: London & Southern Counties - Retrospective: Second Section
Malcolm Wood braved the Second Section where Sandhurst Silver and Roger Burke took the top honours and claimed one of the two qualification spots for Harrogate.

22-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: London & Southern Counties - Retrospective: First Section
Peter Bale talks us thorugh the First Section where Staines Brass and Ian McElligott came through without egg on their faces while other bands "walked on eggshells".

23-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: London & Southern Counties - Retrospective: Championship Section
Malcolm Wood looks back at the Championship Section where Redbridge and Melvin White made it a fabulous four in a row and gained one of the two places on offer for the Finals in October.

21-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: Scotland - Retrospective: Fourth Section
A retrospective look at the Fourth Section where Broxburn Silver and Coalburn Silver took the top spots and booked their tickets for Harrogate later in the year.

21-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: Scotland - Retrospective: Third Section
A retroespective look at the Third Section where Shotts St Patrick's and MD Alan Duguid took the top prize from Selkirk Silver and Richard Duff in second.

21-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: Scotland - Retrospective: Second Section
A retrospective look at the Second Second where Granite City Brass under David James claimed a two point victory over Lochgelly.

22-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: Scotland - Retrospective: First Section
4barsrest looks at the First Section where Johnstone Silver and Gavin Lindsay stormed to a three point victory to claim a 'finals' spot in Harrogate later this year.

21-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: Scotland - Retrospective: Championship Section
A slightly delayed look at the Championship Section where Newtongrange under Allan Ramsey secured the top prize and an invitation to compete at the 2006 Europeans and of course in London in October.

18-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: West of England - Restrospective: All sections
Steve York take a look at the events in Torquay last weekend where the bands making up the West of England region were battling out for a trip to Harrogate or London, later this year.

23-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: North West - Retrospective: Fourth Section
John Collins and Oldham (Lees) Band stormed to victory here and will be looking forward to crossing the Pennines to play in Harrogate later this year. Malcolm Wood talks us through the day.

20-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: North West - Retrospective: Third Section
John James got there in planty of time to hear the Third Cection bands playing Tam O'Shanter. Ultimately it was Stuart Barton directing Trinity Girls that took 1st prize and claimed their ticket to Harrogate.

20-Mar-2005
2005 Regionals: North West - Retrospective: Second Section
Dave Tinker sits back and reflects on a real set of Variation where Wire Brass and Paul Andrews cam away with first prize and an invitation to Harrogate later in the year.