Live...
2026 Regional Championships
London & SC (Stevenage) and North of England (Durham)
21-22 March 2026
2026 National Finals test-pieces announced
March 30
Works by Philip Sparke, Andrew Wainwright, Eric Ball, Thierry Deleruyelle and Peter Graham will challenge the Albert Hall and York Barbican finalists.
Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure
March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.
Banding campaigns return this summer
March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.
Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships
March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.
March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now
March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...
Results: 2026 National Youth Championships of Great Britain
March 29 • There were competitive titles for Youth Brass 2000, St Austell Youth and Elland Silver as well as plenty of great non-competitive performances to enjoy in Birmingham.
Birmingham hosts National Youth Championships
March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.
Withington returns to Grimethorpe
March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.
Trombone stars add to Adams artist line-up
March 28 • Tom Challinor and Jonathan Pippen have become Adams Artists.
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 16
February 26 • Iwan and Chris look forward to the 2026 Regional Championships - the issues, music and tips for victory...
4BR Review - Episode 15
February 1 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival as well as forward to the Norwegian Nationals and more...
4BR Review - Episode 14
January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.
4BR Review - Episode 13
December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...
Take 5: A quintet of female works to be enjoyed on more than the one day a year
March 5 • 8th March marks International Women's Day. The 4BR Editor picks five compositions by female composers that deserve to be celebrated in performance all year around.
Interpreting the post Covid Area numbers: What's your answer?
February 28 • Are we really combating the decline of our competing numbers with the small sustainability changes and choices that are being made at the Regional Championships? Check the recent numbers and see what you think.
Beware shifting sands: The need for banding to read the warning signs
February 21 • Brass Bands England very nearly paid the price for not heeding the warning signs of shifting financial sands — but their close call can instil optimism for the future.
The Regional Championships: The bedrock of British banding
February 20 • As competitors prepare for the series of regional qualifying contests, Tim Mutum explains how they came about by hard work and persuasion, and why, 60 years ago, the whole thing nearly came crashing down.
Concert: Strike up the Band
February 14 • Ian Bousfield inspires as well as thrills with his display of consummate musicianship in Cardiff.
Concert: Brass Across Borders
February 4 • A fine night of music making in honour of a popular bandsman is enjoyed by a packed cross border audience in Manchester.
Concert: Brighouse & Rastrick Band
January 31 • Displays of compositional craftsmanship, ensemble quality and solo excellence round off the RNCM Festival.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,011.29 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 999.68 |
| 3 | Cory | 915.46 |
| 4 | Foden's | 790.99 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 788.12 |
| 6 | Flowers | 676.02 |
| 7 | Brass Band Willebroek | 638.58 |
| 8 | Black Dyke | 634.73 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 612.47 |
| 10 | the cooperation band | 540.01 |
The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra
Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA
Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray
Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ
Contest: Whit Friday March Contests
Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3
The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern
Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD
Regent Brass - Living Lines
Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW
Thornton Cleveleys Band
March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.
St John's Band (Mossley)
March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.
St John's Band (Mossley)
March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.
Andy Wareham
BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist