2026 Dutch National Championships
TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
23-24 October
November 4
Gareth Ritter has been given a 33-month sentence, suspended for 30 months for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2015. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
November 3 • Paul Mealor's 'Euphonium Concerto' is to be performed this Friday in Swansea by David Childs under the baton of Martyn Brabbins with the National Orchestra of Wales.
November 3 • If you ever wondered what the secret of Maurice Andre's success was — then an article from 1987 revealed all about his morning practice regime...
November 3 • Black Dyke Band's Director of Music has just returned from his latest musical trip to Japan.
November 3 • The Yorkshire Regional Championships have teamed up with the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators for an experience day for aspiring judges.
November 3 • Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' and John McCabe's 'Cloudcatcher Fells' can be heard alongside young composer Nina Martin in this weekend's Radio 3 brass band programme.
November 3 • There will be plenty of entertainment on show at Galashiels Academy this weekend.
November 2 • The adjudication teams for the 2027 Midlands Regional Championships have been announced.
November 1 • Marsden Silver Prize Band's historic bass drum has been restored from flood damage to ensure the sacrifice of those lost in conflict is never forgotten,
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.
October 2 • A preview of the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall and the issues that arise...
September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham.
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.
October 8 • Photographer Craig Chapman was on hand to capture plenty of memorable images from the contest day.
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.
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...
October 1 • Much to ponder for bands, audiences and critics alike as the road to Kensington beckons once more...
November 2 • The West Riding band is quick to realise the potential of a new time slot for tradition in Huddersfield.
November 1 • The inner workings of Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' revealed as fourth of five premieres is given in West Sussex.
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.
| # | 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 |
Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD
Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR
Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA
Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE
November 4 • Audley Brass are seeking a Solo Cornet/Repiano player as we continue to push for promotion to the Championship Section and qualification to the Spring Festival. We have a full events diary for 2027 including several epic beer festival nights.
November 4 • Audley Brass are seeking a Bass Trombone player as we continue to push for promotion to the Championship Section and qualification to the Spring Festival. We have a full events diary for 2027 including several epic beer festival nights.
November 4 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! As a second section band, we rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom, under the baton of our new MD Tom Haslam.

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist