*
banner

Tuba sight reading with a difference

If you have ever wondered what has happened to your missing sunglasses, then this is a cautionary tale of mishap...

Tuba
  The tuba finally revealed what had been causing its blockage...

There was a surprise find for members of City of Chester Band as they recently went about a spring clean of their instrument stock.

Purchased in 1996 with the aid of National Lottery funding, they have been well cared for, so it came as a shock when Band Manager Matthew McCleary and Treasurer Robert Fletcher took them to be overhauled.

Puzzled

Repairer Jon Roberts found that one instrument puzzled him — after he detected a blockage in an Eb tuba.

Using an endoscope camera Jon spotted something shiny where all should be clear — and found that a pair of sunglasses had travelled over 180Ëš along the tubing from the bell of the instrument.

Thankfully, he managed to extract the spectacles intact, much to the relief and embarrassment of their owner, Robert Fletcher, and to the great amusement of his band colleagues.

Thankfully, he managed to extract the spectacles intact, much to the relief and embarrassment of their owner, Robert Fletcher, and to the great amusement of his band colleagues4BR

No denying

Robert was given no opportunity to deny they were his either, as Matthew went to Rob's Facebook page and found a photo, taken a few years ago of him sporting the said sunglasses!

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    


Review

Join us tonight for the latest 4BR review

December 4 • An hour of chat and opinions as we ponder if there has been a real shift in musical outlook in the banding world. Join us and have your say tonight.


Thurcroft Welfare

Thurcroft honour stalwart trio

December 4 • Three remarkable servants of Thurcroft Welfare Band have been honoured for their decades of dedicated commitment.


Purcell Brass

Purcell Brass Experience aims to inspire the next generation of performers

December 4 • The UK's oldest specialist music school has announced the launch of its new Purcell Brass Experience — and its free.


Delph

It's going to be a Whit Friday Christmas

December 4 • A new Whit Friday venture will be heard in Delph this Christmas — and all with a festive difference.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band

December 2 • Haverhill Silver Band seeks an Eb bass player to join us for the areas and beyond. This is your chance to join East Anglia's premier brass band and compete at the Senior Cup and Whit Friday, as well as performing in great concerts throughout the year!


Haverhill Silver Band

December 2 • Haverhill Silver Band seeks a flugel player to join us for the areas and beyond. This is your chance to join East Anglia's premier brass band and compete at the Senior Cup and Whit Friday, as well as performing in great concerts throughout the year!


Chinnor Silver

December 1 • Having secured promotion to the 1st section from January our Christmas wish is for a Bb BASS and PERCUSSION players to join us.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday in our own bandroom.. Good but realistic book of concerts and contests planned.


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd