Withington bows out with a Russian flourish
June 15
The musical partnership between Allan Withington and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band came to an end in France with a memorable musical flourish.
Result: 2026 Wetherby March & Hymn Tune
June 15 • Thoresby Colliery takes 'The Drovers' march and hymn tune honours in Wetherby.
Result: 2026 East Midlands March & Hymn Tune Contest
June 15 • Newstead Brass lead the march and hymn way to victory at a sunny Harborough.
Dedicated Childs services marked by Black Dyke Band
June 15 • The recent Black Dyke Brass Festival marked the retirement of administrator Alison Childs.
The Brass Band Hall of Fame gets published
June 14 • Brass band historian Tim Mutum's new book provides essential portraits of nearly 140 brass band conductors, players and personalities.
Result: 2026 Dutch Open
June 14 • Local favourites Provinciale Brassband Groningen reclaims the Dutch Open title on a day of double delight.
Dr Martin postpones contest until 2027
June 14 • The Dr Martin Wainstones Cup Contest has been postponed this year, but will return with a date already fixed for 2027.
Entries now open for SWBBA Contest in Torquay
June 14 • The popular own choice event takes place in November — and entries are now open.
Cory keep quiet about latest partnership link...
June 14 • The Welsh champion has linked up to become an endorsee of the sshhmute brand.
The Fenlands: Soli Brass
£7.05
LSO Live: Holst & Bax (Sir Antonio Pappano)
£15.50£13.17
Still Glides the Stream
£11.50
4BR Review - Episode 18
May 21 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas are joined by Edward Gregson and Paul Hindmarsh to discuss how the wider musical world perceives the banding movement, and what we must do to reinvigorate our artistic vision.
4BR Review - Episode 17
May 11 • Iwan and Chris look at the wider contest issues that have arisen from the recent European Championships in Linz and Spring Festival in Birmingham.
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...
Nordic investment funds: Musical dividends paid to young and old
June 11 • Long term investment and inspirational leadership has seen a brass band playing renaissance in one small part of Norway.
Hey Diggle, Diggle: 2026 Whit Friday images
June 5 • Well known brass band photographer John Stirzaker enjoyed the Whit Friday music making at Diggle through the lens of his camera...
Opinion debate: The luck of the draw or data driven evidence?
May 18 • Is it a myth that the winning of a contest can in part be down to the luck of the draw, or does new research add statistical substance to back up the belief?
Kathleen Gaspoz has been drilling into the stats to back her opinion.
2026 European Brass Band Championships: Test piece reviews
April 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the set-works to be played this weekend from Thomas Doss, Andreas Ziegelback, Otto M Schwarz and Thomas Murauer.
Concert: Flowers Band
June 14 • The European champion flexed its musical muscles ahead of another major championship assault in Kerkrade.
Concert: David Childs Recital
June 13 • Artistry of unquestionable quality and musical personality from the euphonium virtuoso enthrals in Birmingham — with more to come at the Proms.
Concert: Black Dyke Band
June 12 • The Queensbury band brought heavyweight character in variant forms to its Elgar Festival performance in Birmingham.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 971.10 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 860.34 |
| 3 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 822.07 |
| 4 | Cory | 791.88 |
| 5 | Foden's | 711.59 |
| 6 | Flowers | 586.54 |
| 7 | Black Dyke | 547.59 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 517.67 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 471.82 |
| 10 | the cooperation band | 469.21 |
Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band
Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH
Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band
Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective
Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band
Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD
Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF
Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Tintwistle Band
June 15 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled!. As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.
Cambrian Brass
June 14 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.
Chinnor Silver
June 13 • We are looking for a Bb TUBA player to join our friendly,enthusiastic,progressive 1st section band.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday and held in our own bandroom.. We have a varied but realistic calendar planned with possible overseas trip in 2027
Alan Widdop
Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)