2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall
December 25
One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.
2025 4BR Band of the Year
December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.
2025 4BR Conductor of the Year
December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.
2025 4BR Player of the Year
December 25 • So much individual talent shone in the banding world in 2025 — but one player was the shining star of them all.
2025 4BR Test Piece of the Year
December 25 • Lots of fine music to enjoy on the contest stage in 2025 at all levels, but it was a resurrected work that enjoyed an anniversary bonus.
2025 4BR Lower Section/Youth Band of the Year
December 25 • Such a wide range of bands doing great work on and off the contest stage this year — with a remarkable young band taking the honours.
2025 4BR Contest Performance of the Year
December 25 • In a year of contest winners — there was still one performance that claimed an extra first prize.
2025 4BR Newcomer of the Year
December 25 • An exciting year full as exciting new talent emerged in different fields and genres of the brass band movement.
2025 4BR CD of the Year
December 25 • There were impressive recordings from impressive bands — but one stood out from the rest in 2025.
Nyman Brass
£11.52£11.52
Music for Organ and Brass
£12.89£12.89
The World of the Brass Band
£11.96£11.96
The Yankee Brass Band
£13.75£13.75
Postcards from Grimethorpe
£13.50£10.12
Still Glides the Stream
£11.25£11.25
4BR Review - Episode 12
December 5 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas explore the intriguing question of whether or not there has been a change in outlook in the music being performed at major contests, concerts and on recordings.
4BR Review - Episode 11
November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.
4BR Review - Episode 10
October 21 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship.
4BR Review - Episode 9
October 10 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas preview the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship as well as look at the latest CD releases.
The Baroness Hodge Arts Council England Report: A possible ACE hand for banding?
December 23 • Baroness Hodge has taken Arts Council England to task for stifling artistic innovation and creativity, so what could her recommendations mean for banding bodies who get ACE funding.
2025 4BR Awards: Long List Nominations
December 18 • These are the bands, conductors, performers, test-pieces, performances and recordings that are in the running for the annual 4BR Awards.
2025 Swiss National Championships: Images from Lucerne
December 6 • Photographer Etienne Bornet captured the atmosphere as well as the action at the recent Swiss National Championships as the top bands battled to claim the top flight title.
2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Sparke spotlight leads musical focus
November 27 • A 75th birthday homage to composer Philip Sparke provides the musical thread for a tapestry of exciting premieres and performances at this years RNCM showcase event.
LP review: Tidings of Great Joy
December 19 • A festive reminder from Derek Broadbent and Brighouse & Rastrick that brass bands can still make a commercial mark on the wider listening public with a Christmas offering.
CD review: Dancing on the Sand
December 17 • A showroom tour around the polished models and star performers of the de haske brass band range led by a persuasive sales team in Philip Harper and Cory Band.
CD review: Fantasia - Works for Trumpet & Organ
December 12 • Matilda Lloyd provides an engaging extension of her musical style and substance with her latest joint enterprise release.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,051.10 |
| 2 | Cory | 970.90 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 910.39 |
| 4 | Foden's | 873.75 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 833.00 |
| 6 | Black Dyke | 724.03 |
| 7 | Flowers | 723.61 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 653.72 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 537.22 |
| 10 | Desford Colliery | 410.82 |
Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School
Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW
The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices
Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ
Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event
Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD
Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert
Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE
Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert
Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD
Crewe Brass
December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) 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
December 22 • 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.
Crewe Brass
December 22 • 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.
Nigel Seaman
ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator