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8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Grand Shield: Introduction & Predictions
19 top class bands line up to try and win a place at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in September. Only two places up for grabs, so who will say 'Goodnight Vienna' and leave the desperation of Blackpool behind...

9-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Grand Shield: Runners & Riders
We cast our eye over the 20 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.

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Grand Shield: Test piece review - Vienna Nights
4BR takes a much closer look at Philip Wilby's masterful treatment of Mozart.

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Cup: Introduction & Predictions
Which of the 19 bands here will be taking a step closer to the British Open by mastering a very English variation on an Elgar theme.

9-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Cup: Runners & Riders
19 quality bands line up here to tackle a very English inspired set work, to try to gain one of the four gilt edged promotion places to the Grand Shield.

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Cup: Test piece review - Elgar Variations
4BR looks a little closer at Martin Ellerby's 'Elgar Variations' to find out what the secret theme is to potential success...

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy: Introduction & Predictions
Potentially two steps away from Birmingham, but also just one step away from oblivion too. The Senior Trophy has a keen edge of competition to it at both ends of the results table...

9-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy: Runners & Riders
18 bands line up to see if they can take the first step up the ladder that leads to the British Open.

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - Senior Trophy: Test piece review - Epic Symphony
4BR looks closer at one of the true classics of the brass band repertoire - Percy Fletcher's 'Epic Symphony'.

8-May-2008
2008 Spring Festival - The Adjudicators
Here are the six men who will decide the banding fates on the weekend in Blackpool.

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - European future?
After a successful championships in Norway, what does the future hold for the Europeans?

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Stavanger
Stavanger maybe a city rich on oil - but it still rolled out the barrel for the brass bands on the weekend...

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Section: Set Work Retrospective
The foundation for the first Welsh win in 28 years was laid on the Friday night as Cory very nearly touched perfection...

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Section: Own Choice Retrospective
The title was still up for grabs come Saturday afternoon - and a truely memorable climax to the 31st Championships unfolded...

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - B Section: Retrospective
The Italians of Pfeffersberg - with a little help from the Welsh, English and Australians held onto their title in fine style - as Malcolm Wood found out...

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - 4th Conductors Competition
Iwan Fox looks back at the Conductors Competition and a night when great prospective talents locked horns with something very weird...

7-May-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - EBBA Conference
Malcolm Wood reports on the EBBA Conference which saw a number of exciting ideas starting to bear fruit.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Welcome to Stavanger
4BR looks forward to the 31st European Brass Band Championships and the delights of the open port of Stavanger.

30-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Introduction and predictions
4BR looks forward to the Championship Section contest. Can Brass Band Willebroek make it a hat-trick or will the famous trophy head for a new home come Saturday night?

30-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Championship Section runners and riders
4BR looks at the eleven bands and their records that will hope to leave Stavanger on the weekend crowned as the 31st European Champions.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Strengths & Weaknesses
Each of the 11 bands will be hoping that they have all the right ingredients in place in their team to take the title back home with them come Saturday night. Or do they? 4BR looks at their potential strengths and weaknesses...

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Test piece review
4BR looks at Hakon Berges Brass Blot - a piece of intrigue and intellect.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Own Choice selections
4BR has a look at the selections made by the bands to showcase their abilities and try and win valuable points to become European Champions.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - The composers
4BR has a look at the two men who have written the pieces for this year's championships Hkon Berge and Craig Farr.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - The Adjudicators
4BR has a look at the six men in the box this year for both the Championship and B Section contests.

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Additional events
Not only are the eyes and ears tuned into the Championship Section battle, but there is plenty of other exciting events going on too this year in Stavanger...

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - Statistical Heaven
All you need to know from the names of the winners to the number of performances of Eric Balls works to be used at the contest since 1978. Go on - bore your friends to death...

29-Apr-2008
2008 European Brass Band Championships - 75 useless facts and figures
All you really need to know about the European Contest to impress your friends. If you have any that is if you know this lot...

29-Apr-2008
4BR Interview - Allan Withington
On the eve of the European Championships in Stavanger, 4BR talks to Allan Withington - the man with the contesting Midas touch

16-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Postcard from Manchester
With so much to enjoy it may seem things don't need to change here at these championships - but they do...

16-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Premier Championship: Retrospective
There was a major disappointment in the Premier Section, but it wasn't the fine effort from West Lothian in taking the title.

22-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Community Championship: Retrospective
There was great deal of expectation before this contest - and it all lived up to the hype with plenty of fantastic playing.

16-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - County Championship: Retrospective
An enjoyable County battle saw Hampshire retain their title in Gold standard style.

16-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Schools Championship: Retrospective
The long contest day started off with a renewel of rivalry between two very good Schools bands.

16-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Junior Championship: Retrospective
The Junior Section was a delight, but one played out on a slightly lopsided playing field.

10-Apr-2008
Classic LPs - The 1960s
In the first of a new series, Tim Mutum looks closely at two iconic recordings from the 1960s.

10-Apr-2008
Classic LPs - The 1970s
Tim Mutum casts his expert eye over two iconic releases from the 1970s.

10-Apr-2008
Classic LPs - The 1980s
Tim Mutum casts his expert eye over two iconic releases from the 1980s - the last decade before the age of the CD release changed things forever...

9-Apr-2008
Black Dyke Arts Festival - Retrospective
Malcolm Wood was on hand to enjoy a weekend of music making and internet filming at Leeds Metropolitan Universaity.

9-Apr-2008
The State of the Nation - The regional health report in numbers
4BR looks at the state of the brass band nation - in stark unforgiving numbers. Are we in good health around the country or in the first stages of terminal decline...the stats speak for themselves.

9-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Introduction
The cream of youth banding in the UK will do battle at the RNCM this weekend. The numbers may be down but hopefully the quality remains just as high.

12-Apr-2008
2008 National Youth Band Championships - Runners & Riders
4BR looks forward to the bands playing at the RNCM this weekend - and tries to predict who will come out on top...

8-Apr-2008
2008 National Championships of Great Britain - Regional Reflections
4BR looks back at regional championships - the good, the bad and the ever so slightly controversial...

7-Apr-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Postcard from Albany
Lots of questions before hand but after a great weekend NABBA has much to be pleased about.

7-Apr-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Retrospective: Championship Section
Fountain City are now the band to beat - and maybe on both sides of the Atlantic in future.

4-Apr-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Retrospective: Honors Section
There was a great deal to enjoy in the Honors Section with a number of classy performances battling it out for thetop 'honor' itself.

3-Apr-2008
Tameside Open Championships - Retrospective
There was a great atmosphere at the Tameside Hippodrome as the bands did battle in the first post Regional contest of the year.

1-Apr-2008
Gizmos & Gadgets - April 2008
From the latest high wonder products to the simplest little bits and bobs and a few that are truly weird and wonderful. 4BR has been out shopping and testing out what's on offer this April.

1-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - Postcard from Darlington
Darlington and the North of England contest is a friendly place to visit - even the coppers are nice to you too...

2-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - Championship Section: Retrospective
Reg Vardy came to the contest facing contesting hell - they left though in seventh heaven.

1-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - First Section: Retrospective
Interesting wasn't the word for it in the First Section - No. 'Absolutley superb' were the two that mattered...

1-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - Second Section: Retrospective
Dick's Barton were the special agents in the Second Section as they booked themselves a place at Harrogate once again.

1-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - Third Section: Retrospective
When are 8 here better than 8 there? When Peter Robert says so - we think...

2-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championships - Fourth Section: Retrospective
One of the best performances of the entire 2008 regional championships was the highlight of a cracking contest

1-Apr-2008
4BR Time Team - April 2008
This month we delve into the history books to find out about the brass band recording scene of 1949, and the entrepreneurial skills of a certain William Gaskell of Jamco Records.

1-Apr-2008
Dinner Guests - David Reads ultimate brass band dinner guest list
In the fifth of our series David Read tells us who he would like to invite to come to dinner...dead or alive.

1-Apr-2008
Band under the spotlight - Mount Charles
In the fourth of our series, 4BR puts a band under the spotlight to find out more about them and whether or not we think they can be successful in 2008. This time it's Mount Charles - the newly crowned West of England Regional champion.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Introduction
4BR looks at the 2008 North American Brass Band Championships, which take place in New Albany, Indiana this weekend.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Championship Section
The very best bands in North America line up on the weekend to see if they can take home with them the title as the best brass band in the North America.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Honors Section
4BR looks at the bands taking part in the Honors Section at the Championships, which equates to the First Section on the east side of the pond.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Challenge Section
4BR looks at the challengers in the Challenge Section itself as they strive to claim their own version of the Second Section National title.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Explorer Section
4BR takes a look at the bands in the Explorer Section of the NABBA Contest.

26-Mar-2008
2008 North American Brass Band Championships - Preview: Open, Youth and Youth Open Sections
We take a look at the Open and youth bands that will be competing at the 2007 North American Brass Band Championships.

25-Mar-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Introduction
There is always a warm welcome here in Darlington, and through hard work the numbers are on the increase too.

25-Mar-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Championship Section
With Reg Vardy aiming to be in seventh heaven, the question is, can anyone stop them?

25-Mar-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: First Section
A closely matched group of bands get set to tackle Gilbert Vinters test piece, but which of them will come to grips with a work that is proving to be a very stern test indeed around the country.

25-Mar-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Second Section
10 well matched bands will try to be their inventive best to overcome the stylistic difficulties of Kenneth Downie's delicate work in what could be the best contest of the weekend.

25-Mar-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Third Section
Eight bands will see if they can produce something from the dark side to book their place at Harrogate by impressing Peter Roberts.

4-Apr-2008
2008 North of England Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Fourth Section
Some new faces boost the Fourth Section this year up to an encouraging 13 bands, and it should prove to be a cracking contest on a cracking piece.

26-Mar-2008
Scouting Report - March 2008
4BR has been out and about assessing the brightest and the best young brass players around to find out who are likely to be the superstar players of the future. We've been to Wales, Yorkshire and the North West - now it's three of the best in the West

2-Apr-2008
4BR Time Team - March 2008
This month we delve into the history books to find out who have been the top dog conductors at the regionals since 1945.

19-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Postcard from Stevenage
The posh people may call it Saint Evenage, but it still has a sports centre with knobs on - and a pretty good place to hold a brass band contest it is too.

19-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
Are Redbridge and Avely & Newham becoming the brass band version of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? If they carry on winning here they may get sponsored by Microsoft...

18-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
Not often the Goths get in on the act at a brass band contest, but they did here, although they didn't come from Jersey.

18-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
Lots of speculation, but it was pretty clear who were the best bands here on the weekend.

18-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
Damp and cold outside, but in the main hall it was Littleport on red hot form to take the Third Section title.

18-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
The largest field of contenders it may have been, but for Hemel Hempstead the big prize of victory was accompnaied by a tiny reward...

1-Apr-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
One of the great names in North West banding continues to make history for itself as Fodens make it a hat trick of titles on Festival Music.

17-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
It was a question of experience in the First Section as Colin Cranson used 30 years or more to get Roberts Bakery to the finals as champion.

17-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
An enjoyable contest and a fine winner here as the bands just about got to grips with Downie's very tricky test piece.

17-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
It was a question of keeping the best till last here as Oldham (Lees) took the title in what was a cracking contest for everyone to enjoy.

17-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
A huge field for Geoffrey Whitham to enjoy and ponder over - and according to him, he seemed to enjoy the lot!

30-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Gallery & Summary: All Other Grades & Junior CofC's
Snapshots and comments from our roving reporters, Deb Geayley and Allan Wardrope.

6-Apr-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Retrospective: A Grade
Those expecting an historic, closely fought battle were not disappointed.

25-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Gallery: Parade of Bands
Parade of Bands Saturday 24 March Brisbane

16-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - The Adjudicators
Who they are and what will they be adjudicating...

16-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Preview: A Grade
Brisbane City Hall Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts Test Music: Dances and Alleluias, Philip Sparke Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 3.15pm Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 2.45pm

17-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Preview: B Grade
Brisbane City Hall Adjudicator: Peter Adams Test Music: Main Street, Eric Ball Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 2.00pm Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 2.00pm

14-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Preview: C Grade
Brisbane City Hall Adjudicator: John Thomas Test Music: The Shipbuilders, Peter Yorke Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 12.15pm Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 2.00pm

14-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Preview: D Grade
Brisbane City Hall Adjudicator: Dr Peter Morris Test Music: Anglian Dances, Alan Fernie Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 10.00am Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 9.00am

16-Mar-2008
2008 Australian National Band Championships - Preview: Junior Grades
A disappointing number of bands in the Junior sections this year, with only five bands in total making up the three grades - three bands from New South Wales, one from Victoria, and one from Queensland.

13-Mar-2008
2008 Australian Band Championships - Introduction & Schedule
20-24 March Brisbane City Hall

16-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Postcard from Bedworth
Things are looking up in the Midlands - great new venues and great new performances. Just bear a thought for the bloke who used to run the burger van at Burton...

1-Apr-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
After the problems of Burton, Bedworth was a new era in the Midlands, with a old winner nonetheless.

16-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
A huge field but still the same problems - not many found their sea legs in Bedworth - apart from the qualifiers of course...

16-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
An attention grabber right at the end saw victory head for Coventry in the Second Section on a piece many took too lightly...

16-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
A fantastic new venue, fantastic bands, fantastic audience and a fatastic test piece. Old time banding was back in the Third Section and made for a great contest.

17-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
23 bands provided the adjudicators with a marathon test of stamina on the weekend, but it turned out to be a highly enjoyable one with some great performances on show.

12-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Postcard from Glenrothes
There were plenty of things that went right in Glenrothes on the weekend - including a Scottish rugby win and a long overdue victory for a certain band...

16-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
Nine years is a very long time to get a monkey off your back - but Whitburn finally did it on the weekend with the help of a little bit of Russell Gray magic.

16-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
James Cook once again tested the bands to the full and beyond, but the two qualifiers certainly found their sealegs and will be confident travellers on the shorter trip to Harrogate.

16-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
The bands in the Second Section never quite enjoyed the Downie 'Invention' on the weekend, but the top two qualifiers did more than enough to win through in style.

16-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
The space race came to Glenrothes on the weekend, and the Scots certainly had two bands who went into orbit.

16-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
Eight good performances of Rodney Newton's work just left the one question. Why no Glasgow or Aberdeen movement?

13-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Postcard from Torquay
4BR had a great time in Torquay at the weekend and perhaps we’re a good omen too?

12-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
The dreaded curse did strike again, but that wasn't the only talking point in the Championship Section on the weekend.

16-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
The storm clouds gathered both outside and inside at Torquay on the weekend, but it was Helston that made the most of their musical journey on the high seas.

16-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
Plenty of foundations laid here - from the great winners to the plain speaking of the judges. Something to keep everyone interested then...

16-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
The Dark Side of the Moon really tested the large field on the weekend, but lots of the competitors found the journey into space much to their liking - especially the winners.

12-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
A huge field for the judges to contemplate over, but when it came to it, the quality rose to the very top...

12-Mar-2008
4BR Children's Adjudication Panel - How it all turned out...
4BR teamed up with Peggy Tomlinson and the Regional committeee at Bradford a couple of weeks ago to put on the first ever Childrens Adjudication Panel in the Third Section.

12-Mar-2008
4BR Children's Adjudication Panel - The judges remarks...
This is what the four youngsters thought about each of the performances in the Third Section in Bradford on Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'The Side of the Moon'.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Postcard from Swansea
Success at rugby and now football? Welsh banding had a lot to compete with on the weekend, but may see the benefits in 2009 as a result.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
All things must come to an end - from Fidel Castro to Cory's dominance at Swansea as Tredegar topple the Welsh dictators.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
It may have ended up the same old result but only Newbridge (Celynen) really enjoyed their trip on the high seas on the weekend.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
They may be back slighlty greyer and with fuller waistlines, But Point of Ayr still know how to win a brass band contest.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
Sometimes its handy if you live in a place that sometimes resembles the dark side of the moon - because Blaenavon certainly made the most of it in winning here.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
There may have been less numbers here than the Welsh pack of forwards at Croke Park, but Cross Keys still stamped their class in retaining their title.

11-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Introduction
After the thrills and spills of 'Super Sunday' the spotlight falls on the 82 bands that take to the stage in Stevenage.

11-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Championship Sect
The top bands south of the Watford Gap line up to get to grips with Eric Balls excellent work and to see which of them will tickle David Horsfields fancy.

11-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: First Section
James Cook has been a severe test all around the country, so can the best bands here steer themselves through potential choppy seas.

11-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Second Section
Kenneth Downies work should be an enjoyable contest in the Gordon Craig Theatre for Steve Pritchard Jones to judge.

13-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Third Section
Whose going to be looking on the bright side of the moon never mind the 'Dark Side' as Paul Lovatt Coopers work gets the London contest underway on Saturday morning?

11-Mar-2008
2008 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders: Fourth Section
A huge field of bands for Steve Pritchard-Jones to listen and ponder over, but who will be looking forward to the Autumnal season the most and a trip to Harrogate?

7-Mar-2008
Gizmos & Gadgets - March 2008
From the latest high wonder products to the simplest little bits and bobs and a few that are truly weird and wonderful. 4BR has been out shopping and testing out what's on offer this March.

7-Mar-2008
Band under the spotlight - Carlton Main Frickley
In the third of a new feature, 4BR puts a band under the spotlight to find out more about them and whether or not we think they can be successful in 2008. This times its Carlton Main Frickley one of the most famous names in banding history.

6-Mar-2008
4BR Interview - Rodney Newton
Chris Thomas catches up with Rodney Newton, composer of Four Cities Symphony, and much, much more...

7-Mar-2008
Dinner Guests - Alan Jenkins ultimate brass band dinner guest list
In the fourth of a new feature Alan Jenkins tells us who he would like to invite to come to dinner...dead or alive.

5-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Postcard from Bradford
This year Yorkshire had a bit of everything - from great performances to great grub and even a 41 year old youngest player...

6-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Retrospective: Championship Section
Brass banding in its most elemental form - the Championship Section just about had it all...

5-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Retrospective: First Section
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be - but it was good enough for Skelmanthorpe on the weekend.

11-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Retrospective: Second Section
The bands that adhered to Plato came out on top here on the weekend. Read on...

5-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Retrospective: Third Section
Everyone had a great time in the Third Section - the bands, the players, the conductors and especially, the winners...

8-Mar-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Retrospective: Fourth Section
10 bands providing a fine morning's entertainment - the Fourth Section contest had plenty to enjoy.

5-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Introduction
The Midlands can offer no less than 82 bands across the sections - all competing for that ultimate goal of National glory. As always, the region will be closely fought so expect thrills, spills and surprises galore.

5-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
Which of the twelve well matched bands here will be keeping their eyes on the Ball to gain a trip to the RAH?

5-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
A large old field of 18 bands will have to battle against a very difficult set work if they are to eventually set sail for Harrogate in September.

8-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
Twelve bands line up to see who can produce the best home made inventions to tickle the fancy of John Roberts and David Lancaster.

6-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
A big old field of well matched bands and a great test piece could give Malcolm Brownbill and David Lancaster a most enjoyable headache...

5-Mar-2008
2008 Midlands Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
The usual huge field for the judges to ponder over, but which of the bands can make the most of their musical travels around Rodney Newton's score to head for Harrogate?

3-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Introduction
As always there is always a warm and friendly atmosphere down in Torquay, and it appears that some sort of contesting osmosis has taken place too…

5-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
Can PolySteel become the first band in well over a decade to retain their West of England title or will the reigning champions curse strike once again?

5-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
A good strong line up of bands will take to the stage here with just the one aim in mind - a voyage to Harrogate.

3-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
A full line up of bands for the judges to enjoy and ponder over. But which ones will be able to re-invent themselves for a trip to Harrogate.

3-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
They have a few dark going ons to do with the moon in this neck of the woods, so which of these bands can eclipse Paul Lovatt-Coopers work and head to Harrogate.

5-Mar-2008
2008 West of England Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
A huge field of bands for Peter Roberts and Rob Wiffin to enjoy and place in order some job, but made the better with a great choice of test piece.

3-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Introduction
Domestic pride or national success – it’s a hard balancing act when Celtic pride is at stake in Scotland.

5-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
How will the best bands in Scotland get to grips with Eric Balls Festival Music? It promises to be a real battle of the clans this year with the added bonus of a ticket to Ostend in 2009 too.

3-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
The First Section in Scotland promises to be the closest at this years Scottish regional. But who will make that step up into Scotlands premier banding league?

5-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
The Scots are well known as inventors of some note, but whose notes on invention will take them to Harrogate?

8-Mar-2008
2008 Scottish Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
They do tend to see the moon a lot more up here (British Summer Time was invented to help the Scots farmers out) so these should be expert performances then?

3-Mar-2008
2007 Scottish Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
Eight bands this year up from six from last time out, and all wanting a trip to Harrogate. Lets see what their musical tour guides make of Rodney Newtons test piece first though

3-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Introduction
The one thing bands in these parts enjoy doing is competing against each other – so Sunday should be a great day of domestic battles then…

3-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
Can Fodens retain their title and become the most successful regional winning band in North West history - or can someone stop them?

3-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
Will any of the bands here will get to grips with Gilbert Vinters great work and get Chris Wormald to send them on an epic journey to Harrogate and possible further glory?

5-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
Which of the bands here will be able to invent something spectacular to catch the ear of John Maines and planning their arrangements for Harrogate?

6-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
Whoever gets through here could well be one of the favourites come Harrogate itself, but they first have to work out their way to the dark side of the moon and back.

5-Mar-2008
2008 North West Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
A great line up of bands on the Sunday to do battle on Rodney Newtons Four City Symphony.

3-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Introduction
They may be back to winning at the rugby, but Wales needs to ensure that it doesn’t lose any more of its bands.

8-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
Can anyone stop Cory from yet again taking the title this year it could be seven in a row if someone cant.

3-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
Not quite James Hook outside half, but James Cook Circumnavigator for the bands to tackle here to claim a place at Harrogate.

3-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
Should be a well matched contest this as the bands get to grips with Kenneth Downies fine set work.

5-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
According to Max Boyce a Welshman called Morgan the Moon also landed on the old lump of rock, so who will be able to blast off to Harrogate from Swansea on the weekend?

3-Mar-2008
2008 Welsh Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
Slightly down on numbers this year but still a whole host of bands ready to show plenty of hwyl to get to Harrogate?

25-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Introduction
Yorkshire provides brass band contesting in its most elemental form so what a cracking way to start this years Regional Championships by coming to Bradford.

25-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Championship Section: Runners & Riders
A fantastic contest is in prospect here as the 12 bands tackle Festival Music. With two already booked into their hotels for October there should be a tremendous scrap to see who joins them.

26-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - First Section: Runners & Riders
The bands that want to try and make it to Harrogate will have to overcome a classic piece from the pen of Gilbert Vinter.

25-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Second Section: Runners & Riders
Which of the 11 bands here will be the most inventive on Kenneth Downies fine set work?

28-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Third Section: Runners & Riders
10 bands will reach for the stars on the weekend to see if they can be inspired by the dark side

26-Feb-2008
2008 Yorkshire Regional Championship - Fourth Section: Runners & Riders
10 well matched bands should provide some excellent early spring time contesting on the Saturday morning, but which ones have been doing their homework on the four cities in question?

25-Feb-2008
BBC Young Musician of the Year - Brass Final: Retrospective
Four of the most talented young brass players in the country locked horns in Cardiff to see if they could get through to the Concerto Grand Final in May.

18-Feb-2008
Gizmos & Gadgets - February 2008
From the latest high wonder products to the simplest little bits and bobs and a few that are truly weird and wonderful. 4BR has been out shopping and testing out what's on offer this February.

20-Feb-2008
34th Ern Keller Memorial - Photo Gallery
Some snaps from the big day....

18-Feb-2008
34th Ern Keller Memorial - Retrospective
It would seem that each year the Ern Keller Memorial keeps getting better - in more ways than one.

16-Feb-2008
2008 Action Medical Research Championships - Retrospective
There was a feast of entertainment for everyone to enjoy at Blackpool last weekend - with Rochdale once more coming out as champions.

16-Feb-2008
2008 Action Medical Research Championships - What the bands played
There was a fantastic diet of diverse brass pieces played at the contest - and this is what each band played.

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Postcard from Bergen
900 years of culture, commerce and high beer prices - Bergen and its brass bands have come a long way - honest.

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: Elite Division Set Work
Odin proved to be a great choice for the best bands to get to grips with this year - and get to grips with it they did, in fine style.

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: Elite Division Own Choice
It was all guns blazing on the Staurday, but it was Eikanger who blasted their rivals away in quite brilliant style to take the 2008 title.

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: First Division
A First Division contest that did exactly what it set out to do - and benefitted from some great performances as a result. British banding, are you listening?

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: Second Division
The first contest of the championships provided an excellent aperitif for the main courses to come - and a fine winning performance too.

13-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: Third Division
Despite having to take place at the same time as the Elite bands, there was plenty to enjoy inthe Third Division, especially if you liked classics from brass band history.

14-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Retrospective: Fourth Division
Who said getting fat was bad for you? Not here in the Fourth Division where aan ever expanding field is a true sign of a healthy banding movement.

16-Feb-2008
2008 Action Medical Research Championships - Preview: Introduction
4BR looks ahead to the jamboree that takes place in Blackpool this Sunday as the best young brass entertainers take part in the Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Championships of Great Britain.

7-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Introduction
4BR will be in Bergen this weekend to bring you a flavour of one of the most exciting brass band contests in the world - the Norwegian Nationals.

7-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Elite Division
4BR will be in Bergen to listen to the very best bands in Norway battle it out to see who will represent them at the 2009 European Championships. Can Stavanger retain their title or can someone else stop them?

7-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Test Piece review
4BR looks at the test piece Arthur Butterworths colourful Odin' - a piece that fully deserves to be heard more at the highest level.

7-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: First Division
4BR casts its eye over the 12 bands hoping to make the step up and join the Elite bands in Norway this weekend.

6-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Second Division
4BR casts its eye over the 13 bands hoping to fight their way out of the Second Division at Bergen.

6-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Third Division
A big old field of 15 bands will be performing their own choice selections to open adjudicators in the Third Section and they have chosen some pretty ambitious works too. Could be interesting then.

6-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - Preview: Fourth Division
19 bands are set to take part in the Fourth Section as the growing stature of banding in the country bears fruit. The standard is improving and so are the ambitious choices of repertoire.

6-Feb-2008
2008 Norwegian National Championships - The Champions (1979- 2007)
Who has won what and when since the Norwegian Nationals started in 1979.

7-Feb-2008
4BR Interview - Arthur Butterworth
'Odin Revisited' - Arthur Butterworth in conversation with 4BR's Christopher Thomas.

6-Feb-2008
2008 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Retrospective
Wales may have won at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years on the weekend, but the Yeovil Entertainment title remained firmly in the grasp of a very impressive English band.

5-Feb-2008
2008 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - What the bands played
There was a lot of music to be played on the weekend, and this what the bands thought would tickle the fancy of the man in the box.

1-Feb-2008
Scouting Report - February 2008
4BR has been out and about assessing the brightest and the best young brass players around to find out who are likely to be the superstar players of the future. We've been to Wales and Yorkshire - now it's three of the best in the North West.

1-Feb-2008
Band under the spotlight - Unison Kinneil
In the second of a new feature, 4BR puts a band under the spotlight to find out more about them and whether or not we think they can be successful in 2008. This times its Unison Kinneil celebrating its 150th birthday this year.

1-Feb-2008
4BR Time Team - February 2008
This month we delve into the history books to find out what was happening in the brass band world at various times in February from 1965 - 1998.

31-Jan-2008
Dinner Guests - Peter Meechan's ultimate brass band dinner guest list
In the third part of a new feature Peter Meechan tells us who he would like to invite to come to dinner...dead or alive.

30-Jan-2008
2008 RNCM Festival of Brass: - Festival retrospective
With bands still getting a raw deal from the BBC, Paul Hindmarsh masterminded a fantastic weekend of brass playing at the RNCM.

30-Jan-2008
2008 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Preview: Introduction and prediction
Yeovil celebrates its 31st anniversary this year. Does it opt for comfortable middle age spread or try and regain the exciting vigour of its youth - all based on comments made by two of the movements most experienced adjudicators.

2-Feb-2008
2008 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Preview: Runners and Riders
14 bands will line up to do battle at the Octagon Yeovil this weekend to see who will claim the 31st title and the 2000 first prize.

29-Jan-2008
2008 Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Preview: The Adjudicator
David Hirst is this year's man in the box.

30-Jan-2008
National Association of Brass Band Conductors - 2008 Annual Convention
Chris Helme reports from the NABBC Convention, which was held in Bolton on the weekend.

26-Jan-2008
A Welsh Perspective - Australian and UK Banding
Bruce Myers took some time out on his recent trip to Wales to talk with Jeff Hutcherson, Bedwas Trethomas and Machen’s (BTM’s) bumper up and band manager. Bruce reports:

25-Jan-2008
4BR Interview - Paul Hindmarsh
The man behind the success of the RNCM Festival of Brass talks to Chris Thomas about what's in store this year and possibly beyond...

30-Jan-2008
2008 RNCM Festival of Brass: - Festival Preview
Chris Thomas looks forward to the treats in store at the RNCM this weekend - which all starts tonight with Black Dyke.

23-Jan-2008
2008 QBA Brass Band Youth Camp - In conjunction with the McGregor Summer School
Richard Evans has given the thumbs up to the Queensland Brass Association Youth Brass Band Camp held in conjunction with the McGregor Summer School in Toowoomba January 9 - 19, 2008.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Postcard from Skegness
Skeggy has it all - except the Lower Section National Finals. How about it then?

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: Championship set work
It was life, but not as we knew it at times on the Saturday, as the 10 contenders battled with the idiosyncrasies of Cyril Jenkins old pot boiler...

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: Championship entertainment
Innovation and quality playing were the keys to success on the Sunday - and Desford just had enough of both to retain their Butlins title and pocket the 6,000 top prize once more.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: First Section
A mammoth 24 band battle finally saw Skelmanthorpe once again prove that they are nigh on unbeatable with their backs to the sea and some Gregson on the stands.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: Second Section
It was a battle between the Red and White Rose for the top honours in the Second Section where Haslingden & Helmshore eventually took the honours is fine style.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: Third Section
In what was overall a disappointing contest it was Shirebrook MW who made the most of Ewald's 'Symphony for Brass'.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Retrospective: Fourth Section
Eccles put the cherry on top of their musical cake with a commanding winning performance of Simon Dobson's difficult, but enjoyable 'Ldian Pictures'.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Introduction and prediction
Skegness will be full to the rafters once more this weekend as all the bands, players and supporters pile in to enjoy the test pieces and the entertainment once more.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Championship Section
10 bands take to the stage on Saturday and Sunday hoping that their mix of Life Divine and divine entertainment inspiration will pick them up the six grand first prize.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Life Divine
4BR Editor Iwan Fox has a look at 'Life Divine' - classic piece of brass band music or nothing more than a intriguing curiosity with a second hand title.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: First Section
We cast our eye over the massive entry of 24 bands that will be trying to make musical sense of the history books of Kings and Queens and take home with them the cracking first prize.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Second Section
We cast our beady little eyes over what should be a keenly contested contest as 15 bands get to grips with the wilds of Alberta posed by Derek Broadbent's test piece.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Third Section
We have a look at the 11 bands that will be trying to get to grips with Michael Hopkinson's descriptive arrangement of Ewald's Symphony for Brass.

29-Apr-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championships - Preview: Fourth Section
19 bands line up to see if they can master Simon Dobson's Lydian Pictures. A nice fat cheque for the winners of £1,500 is up for grabs for the band that can.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Preview: Test Pieces
These are the works being used in the First to Fourth Sections on the weekend.

23-Jan-2008
2008 Butlins Mineworkers Championship - Preview: The Adjudicators
There is a very experienced mix of musical knowledge in the box on the weekend - oh... and Frank Renton.

14-Jan-2008
Band under the spotlight - Wingates
In the first of a new feature, 4BR puts a band under the spotlight to find out more about them and whether or not we think they can be successful in 2008. First up is Wingates.

31-Jan-2008
Dinner Guests - Chris Wormald's ultimate brass band dinner guest list.
In the second of our new feature Chris Wormald tells us who he would like to invite to come to dinner...dead or alive.

9-Jan-2008
The trouble with the youth of today... - Has progress been made?
Alun F Wiliams, Head of Brass for Gwent Music Support Services wonders if any progress has been made in sorting out youth contesting since the last time he asked two years ago.

9-Jan-2008
Gizmos & Gadgets - January 2008
From the latest high wonder products to the simplest little bits and bobs and a few that are truly weird and wonderful. 4BR has been out shopping and testing out what's on offer at Woodwind & Brass this January

9-Jan-2008
4BR Time Team - January 2008
This month we delve into the history books to find out what the brass band media hoped to see come true with their New Year resolutions over the past 45 years

9-Jan-2008
Scouting Report - January 2008
4BR has been out and about assessing the brightest and the best young brass players around to find out who are likely to be the superstar players of the future. We've been to Wales - now it's three of the best in Yorkshire.

9-Jan-2008
Association of Brass Band Adjudicators - AGM & Test Piece workshop
4BR was in Cleakheaton to see the men in the box for 2008 put three of the regional test pieces under the microscope.