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2026 National Championship of Great Britiain
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Saturday 03 October
2027 Spring Festival test-pieces announced
October 14
Works by Philip Sparke, Robert Redhead and Derek Bourgeois will test the aspiring British Open credentials of the competing bands at the Spring Festival next May.
Dowdeswell ready for final print run
October 15 • The new album from trumpet star Louis Dowdeswell is set to bring high intensity brass to the classics .
Bands ready for Rochdale own-choice challenges
October 15 • There are plenty of bands and plenty of musical choice to enjoy at the Rochdale Contest this weekend.
Wychavon Festival of Brass line-ups confirmed
October 15 • There will be a full day of entertainment at The De Montfort School in Evesham later this month.
Boscombe to welcome Black Dyke Band for 140th anniversary
October 15 • Boscombe Band of the Salvation Army will welcome Black Dyke Band for a joint concert to celebrate 140 years of music making and worship.
Wright & Round: Tarot! Tortuous Tarot! (Andrew Wareham)
October 15 • What do the cards say... in a cracking award winning work that may tell your fortune...
Radio: Touch of Brass
October 15 • More brass bands music to enjoy from presenters Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges.
Yorkshire Youth Band enjoys first Dance moves of new season
October 14 • A new work by composer Martin Ellerby has helped inspire the players on the Yorkshire Youth Band course.
Geneva launch Academy range to give long term term support to players and retailers
October 14 • The Geneva Academy Series is aimed at providing a sustainable musical future for players and retailers alike.
Gavin Higgins: Black Sun for trombone quartet
£80.00£80.00
Pieta
£10.99£10.99
A Little Hymn (Gavin Higgins)
£39.99£39.99
Bounce - Album Download Voucher
£9.99£9.99
Broadheath
£16.99£16.99
4BR Review - Episode 23
October 10 • Iwan and Chris look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall - and some of the questions that arose from it.
4BR Review - Episode 22
October 2 • A preview of the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall and the issues that arise...
4BR Review - Episode 21
September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham.
4BR Review - Episode 20
July 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas are joined by Steven Mead to discuss the recent World Championships in Kerkrade as well as the opportunities that lie ahead for bands - starting with Black Dyke Band at The BBC Proms.
2026 National Championship of Great Britain: Gallery from the Royal Albert Hall
October 8 • Photographer Craig Chapman was on hand to capture plenty of memorable images from the contest day.
2026 National Championship of Great Britain: Podium adjudications
October 6 • The written appraisals of adjudicators Prof Rob Wiffin OBE, Ray Farr and Alan Morrison of the podium prize winners of Cory, Aldbourne and Foden's.
2026 National Championship of Great Britain: Test piece review
October 2 • Philip Sparke's work was used as the set test at the 2024 European Championships in Palanga and certainly tested both body and soul of the bands...
2026 National Championship of Great Britain: Royal Albert Hall preview
October 1 • Much to ponder for bands, audiences and critics alike as the road to Kensington beckons once more...
Concert: Rituals and Revelations
October 14 • Regent Brass continue to trust in listener intelligence and attention as they continue to explore different musical directions.
Concert: Brassed Off - Live
October 13 • Even when a myth starts to sound like historical fact — it still has the ability to be great entertainment.
LP review: The Unicorns
September 1 • A reminder of a true innovative banding spirit that flourished in Sweden with Solna Brass.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Willebroek | 1,110.63 |
| 2 | Flowers | 1,109.20 |
| 3 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,065.45 |
| 4 | Foden's | 996.57 |
| 5 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 813.77 |
| 6 | Cory | 690.90 |
| 7 | Valaisia Brass Band | 673.84 |
| 8 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 523.51 |
| 9 | Tredegar | 474.80 |
| 10 | Black Dyke | 417.94 |
Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass
Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet
Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Symphonic Brass
Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band
Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Dobcross Silver Band -
Friday 16 October • Playhouse 2 . 2 Newtown street. Shaw. Oldham OL2 8NX
Tintwistle Band
October 15 • We currently have a vacancy for a 2nd horn player, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! We are a second section band, and rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.
Lostock Hall Brass Band
October 13 • Could you be our next PRINCIPAL CORNET player? and the final piece of our jigsaw!. We are PROMOTED TO THE 1st SECTION in January 2027 as North West 2nd Section Champions of 2026. We are a friendly bunch, have a great mix of ages and sensible mix of jobs
St Michael's Band
October 13 • St Michael’s Band Middleton is a community based non-contesting band looking for players in all sections but particularly cornets front and back row. You’d be very welcome if you are returning to playing or indeed need band experience as a new player
Chris Wormald
B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger