2026 Spring Festival
Town Hall and Jennifer Blackwell Hall, Birmingham
2-3 May 2026
May 5
Plenty of issues to discuss on the live podcast this Wednesday at 7.00pm — and you can have your say.
May 6 • The Welsh champion will join up with BrassBand Bozen Uberetsch as part of the first Alps Brass Festival.
May 6 • Sarah Baumann has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Brass Bands England.
May 6 • Details have been released of the recital and masterclass appearances of the euphonium virtuoso at the forthcoming event in Birmingham.
May 6 • The British Open champion will provide the final concert of the annual Leeds 'Best of Brass' series.
May 6 • Abbey Brass will be looking to connect with a youthful audience in a new initiative.
May 6 • The two day festival aims to reach out to audiences in Cumbria and beyond.
May 6 • Major trombone concertino work inspired by Prof David King.
May 6 • The experienced Roger Wilson has been appointed as the new Head of Music at Arts Council Wales.
February 26 • Iwan and Chris look forward to the 2026 Regional Championships - the issues, music and tips for victory...
February 1 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival as well as forward to the Norwegian Nationals and more...
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.
December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...
April 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the set-works to be played this weekend from Thomas Doss, Andreas Ziegelback, Otto M Schwarz and Thomas Murauer.
April 21 • 4BR finds out more about the own-choice works to be performed by the bands in the Championship and Challenge Sections in Linz.
April 20 • Increased size and wider vision underpins EBBA's ethos behind its flagship event — but concerns about the direction of future travel remain...
April 8 • Simon Watts of the NYBBGB talks to composer Andrea Price ahead of the world premiere of her work celebrating the life and laughs of the unique Victoria Wood.
April 20 • There was nothing ordinary about the spirit of fun and fearlessness on display by the talented youngsters of the NYBBGB in Manchester.
April 19 • Traditional sounds of brass and voice provide a fine reminder of the qualities of hymn singing and march playing in Huddersfield.
February 14 • Ian Bousfield inspires as well as thrills with his display of consummate musicianship in Cardiff.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 971.10 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 860.34 |
| 3 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 822.07 |
| 4 | Cory | 791.88 |
| 5 | Foden's | 711.59 |
| 6 | Flowers | 586.54 |
| 7 | Black Dyke | 547.59 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 517.67 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 471.82 |
| 10 | the cooperation band | 469.21 |
Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE
Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX
Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ
Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
May 6 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a 2nd Trombone player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history
May 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history
May 5 • Solo Cornet: fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a solo cornet player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.