*
banner

Tickets on sale for RNCM Brass Band Festival

16 World and UK premieres can be heard at this year's RNCM Brass Band Festival — with tickets already going fast.

RNCM Festival
  Tickets are now on sale for the RNCM Brass Band Festival

Tickets are being snapped up for this year's RNCM Brass Band Festival, which takes place in Manchester over the weekend of the 26th — 28th January.

With no fewer than 16 World and UK premieres, including music from creative rising stars to established classics, as well as discussions and workshops hosted by Brass Bands England, the Festival promises to be one of the most wide-ranging in its 28-year history.

Travel by land and sea

Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Cory, Fairey, Foden's and Tredegar provide the major concert attractions themed around travel on land and by sea, with additional performances from Wardle Academy Youth, the Junior RNCM Brass Band, RNCM Brass Band and Elland Youth Band.

Featured soloists include Glenn Van Looy, Owen Farr and Peter Moore, whilst Festival Artistic Director Paul Hindmarsh will also lead conversation presentations with featured composers Paul Mealor and his one-time teacher, John Pickard.

Mealor and Pickard premieres

Both will be in attendance to hear the world premieres of their new works for the medium — with Black Dyke joined by the Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus for Paul Mealor's 'Paradise' — the first of his works to combine these two forces, whilst John Pickard renews his association with Cory in his 'Rain, Steam, Speed', inspired by painter JMW Turner's evocative masterpiece.

Rare and ground breaking

Fairey give a rare performance of Edward Gregson's, 'Concertante for Piano and Band', with Tredegar giving the world premiere of the ground breaking 'BECH — Concerto for Euphonium' by Ludovic Neurohr featuring Glenn Van Looy. Foden's also premiere 'Trials and Triumphs' by the late Derek Bourgeois, with Brighouse giving first UK performance of Ray Steadman-Allen's 'Psalm & Dance for the Creator'.

Other featured works come from the pens of the likes of Arthur Bliss, Eric Ball, Gilbert Vinter, Lucy Pankhurst, Daniel Hall, Liz Lane, Etienne Crausaz, Paul McGhee, Gavin Higgins, Tom Davoren and Ian Stephens.

Black Dyke, Brighouse & Rastrick, Cory, Fairey, Foden's and Tredegar provide the major concert attractions themed around travel on land and by sea4BR

Download leaflet:


https://www.rncm.ac.uk/uploads/Brass_Band_Festival_Leaflet_2018.pdf

Full Price Weekend Ticket: £90 (covers admission to all Brass Band Festival events)
Student/Under 18s: £45
Saturday Day Ticket: £37
Sunday Day Ticket: £42

To book a full festival or day ticket please call the RNCM Box Office on 0161 907 5555

Book now

https://www.rncm.ac.uk/festivals/rncm-brass-band-festival/

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


RNCM

Research recognition for RNCM

January 8 • The Royal Northern College of Music adds to its established recognition as a leading centre for the advanced study of music performance and composition.


ODBBA

ODBBA confident of capacity turn-out

January 8 • You will need to be quick to make sure you get your entry in for the Oxford & District Brass Band Association Winter Contest.


Geneva Clans

Geneva boost to cross border battle

January 8 • Geneva Instruments has boosted the prize funds for the forthcoming 'Clans vs Counties Contest' in June.


Elland

Elland to lead youth procession to the Minster

January 8 • Eight youth and training bands will provide the musical entertainment at Halifax Minster next month.


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


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Jonathan Corry

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd