Live comments...
2026 National Championship of Great Britiain
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
Saturday 03 October
ABRSM fined over serious shortcomings
October 16
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music has been fined £150,000 by Ofqual over serious shortcomings in its arrangements for retaining and managing assessment evidence.
Youth Champs packed full following record registrations
October 16 • The 2027 National Youth Championships of Great Britain are full to the brim after unprecedented response from those wanting to take part.
Wright & Round: Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Michael Buble arr. Chris Wormald)
October 16 • You can't beat a little bit of Buble for Christmas...
Tredegar provide penultimate Orbital launch
October 16 • The fourth commissioning premiere of Richard Blackford's major composition has been given by Tredegar in West Sussex.
National Youth Brass Band of Northern Ireland looks for new intake
October 16 • Young players are being asked to apply to become part of the growing success story of the NYBBNI.
Full house entry for SWBBA Championships
October 16 • There will be a great day of own-choice test-piece music making at Torquay's Riviera Centre in November.
Young Composer Competition launched in Wales
October 16 • The Pontypridd Brass Band Festival is looking for a new work based on one of the nation's great musical traditions.
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.
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...
CD review: Regionals 2027
October 16 • From surprise and shrug shouldered indifference to cheek-puffing apprehension. Plenty to look forward to then as bands aim to book their National Final qualification places at York and London next year.
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.
| # | 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 - 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
The Egham Band - The Egham Band Plays Classic Rock
Friday 16 October • St John's Church Egham, Manor Farm Lane, Egham tw20 9HR
Crewe Brass
October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Front Row Cornet player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.
Crewe Brass
October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb Bass player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.
Crewe Brass
October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb Bass player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.
Chris King
MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer