Ultimate Big Band Toolkit launched
January 17
Louis Dowdeswell and Callum Au launch a fantastic new guide to help players understand and perform in the Big Band genre — with 10% off for 4BR readers too!
Hepworth starting to close in on fund raising target
January 17 • The Hepworth Band has been working hard to raise funds to help secure its musical future in the heart of its village.
Wilkinson expertly Parrys banding assumptions
January 17 • Foden's Band Manager Mark Wilkinson ensured there were no misconceptions about the plight of the banding world when he was recently interviewed on national radio.
Free and fit mind support for children from Mode for...
January 16 • Tabby Kerwin has provided a fantastic free resource to help families during these challenging educational times.
New trombone addition to St Dennis ranks
January 16 • The experienced Dylan Brewer takes the solo trombone seat at St Dennis Band to extend a family link stretching back a century.
New Year honours and anticipation for Lewis Merthyr
January 16 • Welsh band pays tribute to stalwart player as they look forward to exciting developments in 2021.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...
January 15 • Despite the restrictions and the weather there is still a little bit of fun to be had if you want to play together..
Enjoy the 4BR winners at Wobplay
January 15 • You can now enjoy a dozen 4BR 'CD of the Year' releases on the Wobplay.com platform.
BBE strengthens foundation work for bands
January 15 • Brass Bands England has appointed five new Youth Development Brass Specialists to provide essential community help and assist partnership building.
Heavy Bottom Caps
£42.95
Humes & Berg Cornet Cup Mute
£42.00
b# Instrument Soak
£15.00
Classic test-pieces revisited No 5: Connotations
July 16 • Prof Stephen Allen takes an in depth look at Edward Gregson's seminal 1977 National test piece.
Classic test-pieces revisited No 4: On Ratcliff Highway
July 1 • Prof Stephen Allen takes an in depth look at one of the classic works for the brass band medium - Ray Steadman Allen's 1978 work, 'Victorian Snapshots - On Ratcliff Highway
Interview with Ian Bousfield
June 25 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks exclusively to one of the world's great brass players - trombonist Ian Bousfield.
5 minute masterclass with David Childs
June 20 • The Besson artist reveals some brilliant tips of how to learn and benefit from playing from memory...
4BR Hall of Fame: No.14: George Thompson MBE
January 4 • Tim Mutum looks back on the life of one of the truly unique musical talents of the banding movement.
Take 5: A quintet of 2020 highs and lows
December 30 • Five highlights and five low points from the past 12 months in the banding world...
2020 4BR Awards: The Nominations
December 28 • The long list of 4BR annual award nominations that will be considered by our panel of judges has been released.
Take 5: A quintet of the best 'Resurgam' recordings
December 5 • With news that banding could rise again in the not too distant future, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox picks five of the best recordings of Eric Ball's masterful work.
CD review: Flow
January 11 • Mauro Martins. Accompanists: Bernardo Pinhal & Daniel Bernardes. Featuring: Sergio Carolino (tuba) . CD Recording: CDMMF
CD review: Unified
January 5 • Amsterdam Staff Band and Household Troops Band. Bandmasters: Olaf Ritman and Carl Saunders. Soloists: Michel Rosenquist; Steef Klepke; Anthony Smith . SP&S Recordings: SPS 435 CD
CD review: At Home: A Remote Lockdown Recording
January 4 • Ratby Co-operative Brass Band. Musical Director: David Purkiss. World of Sound Recordings: WOS158
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory | 2,339.80 |
| 2 | Black Dyke | 810.73 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 670.48 |
| 4 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 612.50 |
| 5 | Valaisia Brass Band | 542.45 |
| 6 | Foden's | 527.75 |
| 7 | Flowers | 461.22 |
| 8 | Tredegar | 389.93 |
| 9 | Paris Brass Band | 389.84 |
| 10 | Carlton Main Frickley Colliery | 365.35 |
Black Dyke Band - Brighouse & Rastrick, Huddersfield Town Hall
Saturday 27 March • Corporation St, Huddersfield HD1 2TA
Contest: 100thSpring Festival
Saturday 8 May • 97 Church St, Blackpool, FY1 1HL
Contest: Whit Friday March Contests
Friday 28 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3
Contest: 168th British Open
Saturday 11 September • Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA
Contest: Lower Section National Finals
Saturday 18 September • The Centaur, Cheltenham Race Course, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL40 4SH
Foss Dyke Band
January 1 • Front Row Cornet vacancy still up for grabs. Come and join Foss and enjoy our newly refurbished band room with newly appointed MD David Dernley. Foss Dyke are a 1st Section Band with a moderate contest and concert schedule.
Prof. Christopher Houlding
MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator