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EBBC

2026 European Championship ticket sale date announced

January 16
Tickets for the 47th European Brass Band Championships in Linz will go on sale on Tuesday 20th January.


Review

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.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Corporate partnership shares ethos with Grimethorpe

January 16 • Grimethorpe announces corporate link with leading mobile and static welfare accommodation manufacturer to share long-standing commitment to community, charity, and local engagement.


Vanhoorne

Final NZ bow for Vanhoorne

January 16 • The inspirational Belgian conductor and cornet player will return home in April this year after enjoying a six year tenure of success in New Zealand.


Tredegar reunites for RNCM Festival

January 16 • The Welsh champion has welcomed a new signing as well as an old friend for their forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival performance.


No hush hush approach for CalderPips new mutes

January 16 • The new mutes from the CalderPips team have already made a noise with the chatter from eager customers.


Foden's make percussion link with Adams

January 16 • The Foden's percussion team with make an Adams sound in the future after the band enter into a partnership link with leading manufacturer.


Bond strengthened with GUS

January 16 • Christopher Bond has been appointed the new MD at Midlands Regional Champion.


4BR Review - Episode 14

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

4BR Review - Episode 13

December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...


4BR Review - Episode 12

4BR Review - Episode 12

December 5 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas explore the intriguing question of whether or not there has been a change in outlook in the music being performed at major contests, concerts and on recordings.


4BR Review - Episode 11

4BR Review - Episode 11

November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.


Take 5: A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy

Take 5: A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy

January 2 • Five festivals, championships, concerts and contests to make a date in you diary to attend in January and February.


4BR Band of the Year: The conductor and players

December 29 • These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2025 Band of the Year.


4BR Christmas Quiz: How good is your brass band knowledge?

December 26 • Thanks to our friends at Band Supplies and Besson we have a fantastic Prodige Cornet and gifts waiting to find a new home in 2026 — if you can get the answers right.


The Baroness Hodge Arts Council England Report: A possible ACE hand for banding?

December 23 • Baroness Hodge has taken Arts Council England to task for stifling artistic innovation and creativity, so what could her recommendations mean for banding bodies who get ACE funding.

CD review: European Brass 25

January 7 • Size matters even when European champion Brassband Willebroek provides evocative responses to questions big, small, sparkling and reflective.


LP review: A Tribute to Eric Ball OBE, ARCM

January 5 • A 45 year old reminder of the timeless qualities of a composer that the current brass band movement would do well to full re-evaluate.


Concert: Laganvale Metal Technology Band

December 31 • A early festive helping of Christmas cheer from Charles Ffyffe and his band.


# Band Points
1Brass Band Treize Etoiles1,011.29
2Brighouse and Rastrick999.68
3Cory915.46
4Foden's790.99
5Eikanger-Bjørsvik788.12
6Flowers676.02
7Brass Band Willebroek638.58
8Black Dyke634.73
9Valaisia Brass Band612.47
10the cooperation band540.01

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


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

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