Ramsay takes principal cooperation role
January 4
Alex Ramsay has become the principal cornet of the cooperation band.
4BR Monday interview with Brett Baker
January 4 • In the first of a new series of weekly audio interviews, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox catches up with Brett Baker.
4BR Christmas Quiz: The answers and winner
January 4 • There was a great response to the annual 4BR Christmas Quiz — but it did catch quite a lot of people out too...
AoBBA to lead Area test-piece workshop
January 4 • The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators will join up with Newstead Brass to present a free Regionals Test Piece workshop for Sections 2, 3 & 4.
Flowers enjoy busy 2025 with more to come in 2026
January 4 • Paul Holland and Flowers seek new horizons in 2026 after a busy year at home.
Battle of the Clans
January 4 • A new cross border contest pitting the bands of the North of England against their Scottish counterparts will take place in June.
Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 22
January 4 • The popular podcast with a distinctive Welsh flavour returns for the new year.
Podcast: Smith & Grezzy's Big Chat Brass
January 4 • Sandy and Simon look back at the topics and discussions that they covered during 2025.
Radio: Touch of Brass
January 4 • More great music to enjoy over the next two weeks from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges.
Black Dyke Mills Band: Classic Brass
£5.39£5.39
Brass from the Masters - Volume 1
£6.50£6.50
Still Glides the Stream
£11.25£11.25
4BR Review - Episode 13
December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...
4BR Review - Episode 12
December 5 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas explore the intriguing question of whether or not there has been a change in outlook in the music being performed at major contests, concerts and on recordings.
4BR Review - Episode 11
November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.
4BR Review - Episode 10
October 21 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship.
Take 5: A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy
January 2 • Five festivals, championships, concerts and contests to make a date in you diary to attend in January and February.
4BR Band of the Year: The conductor and players
December 29 • These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2025 Band of the Year.
4BR Christmas Quiz: How good is your brass band knowledge?
December 26 • Thanks to our friends at Band Supplies and Besson we have a fantastic Prodige Cornet and gifts waiting to find a new home in 2026 — if you can get the answers right.
The Baroness Hodge Arts Council England Report: A possible ACE hand for banding?
December 23 • Baroness Hodge has taken Arts Council England to task for stifling artistic innovation and creativity, so what could her recommendations mean for banding bodies who get ACE funding.
Concert: Laganvale Metal Technology Band
December 31 • A early festive helping of Christmas cheer from Charles Ffyffe and his band.
LP review: Tidings of Great Joy
December 19 • A festive reminder from Derek Broadbent and Brighouse & Rastrick that brass bands can still make a commercial mark on the wider listening public with a Christmas offering.
CD review: Dancing on the Sand
December 17 • A showroom tour around the polished models and star performers of the de haske brass band range led by a persuasive sales team in Philip Harper and Cory Band.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,051.10 |
| 2 | Cory | 970.90 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 910.39 |
| 4 | Foden's | 873.75 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 833.00 |
| 6 | Black Dyke | 724.03 |
| 7 | Flowers | 723.61 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 653.72 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 537.22 |
| 10 | Desford Colliery | 410.82 |
Newstead Brass - Brett Baker
Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA
The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert
Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships
Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ
Tewit Silver Band
January 3 • PRINCIPAL Eb BASS position - our enthusiastic team of basses are looking for the right leader to elevate them to the next level. We have a great program of events ahead of us including contests and concerts alongside a good social vibe.
Tewit Silver Band
January 3 • Championship CORNET players - we are looking for a strong front row player to complete our section. We have a great year ahead including contests, hymn and march contests, concerts and Durham Miners alongside a good social vibe.
East London Brass
January 3 • PERCUSSIONIST - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a percussionist to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.
Howard J Evans
MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist