Live...
2026 Regional Championships
London & SC (Stevenage) and North of England (Durham)
21-22 March 2026
John Packer Musical Instruments brings Smith-Watkins into business
April 2
The renowned cornet and trumpet maker becomes part of John Packer Musical Instruments.
Death of Tony Clucas
April 2 • The death has been announced of one of Scottish banding's finest cornet players.
Arts Council funding boost for Cumbria
April 2 • Cumbria's Big Brass Weekend secures a third year of Arts Council Funding as it continues to celebrate music, collaboration and creativity.
Philip Jones celebration at Wigmore Hall
April 2 • Young brass chamber music performers will celebrate the legacy of the great Philip Jones CBE at Wigmore Hall later this month.
Rothwell to showcase Pudsey talents
April 2 • Rothwell Temperance make their appearance at the Leeds 'Best of Brass' series in Pudsey later this month.
Podcast: That's Not Banding — Episode 18
April 2 • The intrepid duo take to the sofa with their look at the banding world...
Podcast: SBBA Speaks — Episode 3
April 2 • Join presenters Andrea and Daniel to find out more about what has been going on in the Scottish banding world
Radio: Bandstand
April 2 • More brass band music to enjoy from Lucas Burns in Australia with a focus on their National Championships.
Radio: Touch of Brass
April 2 • More music to enjoy this week over the airwaves from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge and their selection box of goodies.
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 |
Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet Brass Quintet
Tuesday 7 April • Charlton House. Charlton Road . London SE7 8RE
Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ
Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet
Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Tintwistle Band
April 2 • . Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.
Tintwistle Band
April 2 • Tintwistle Band are looking for an Eb bass player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.
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.
Alex McGee
MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer