Latest News
Guards Brass to showcase Tallis masterpiece
June 25
Guards Brass will perform the magnificent 'Spem In Alium' by Thomas Tallis as part of their annual Household Division Music Festival.
Brass in the Shirebrook Park
June 25 • If the sun keeps shining them there is plenty of great music to enjoy in Shirebrook over the next couple of months.
Radio: Sounds of Brass
June 25 • Two new programmes from Phillip Hunt — and all at the new time of 8.00pm.
World Rankings — June Update
June 25 • Significant moves in the top 10 as Valaisia move up to second following their European Championships success in Utrecht.
4BR Shop: Give it a bash!
June 25 • We have a special 'Percussion Week' on at the 4BR Shop — so why not get your hands on something brilliant to hit, beat, bash or smash...
Poet reveals private passion for brass bands
June 25 • The award winning poet Kim Moore has revealed that brass band music is something of a 'Private Passion' of hers — including the classic march, 'Slaidburn'.
Sun is shining in the sky...
June 24 • As ELO once sang — 'there ain't a cloud in sight' today — so why not enjoy a brass band concert in the park. It's better than worrying about the England football team and the latest Brexit travails on Love Island...
4BR Shop: Go straight, cupped or practice...
June 23 • If its a straight, cup or practice mute at a great price you are looking for today, then go 4BR shopping...
Editor's Picks
What's in your bag?: A starter kit guide for percussionists
June 23 • In the first part of a new series, Cory principal percussionist James Andrews gives young players some tips on what things they need to get for their kit bag when they first get started...
Per Mare, Per Terram: Marine life meets Low Brass lovers in Portsmouth
June 15 • HMS Nelson in Portsmouth recently held a fantastic day of inspirational low brass teaching and playing where Les Neish, Simon Minshall, David Childs and Robbie Harvey took command of the musical troops.
Don’t look back in anger: How memories of Britpop should give us a kick up the backside
June 11 • A less than cool perception of what brass bands have left to offer an ageing generation of Oasis and Blur fans may in fact be the perfect stimulus to reach out to the new generation of pop obsessed youngsters...
2018 Whit Friday contests: Preview of the Tameside and Saddleworth events
May 24 • The main brass bands candidates will be joined by a ballot paper full of representatives around the Whit Friday constituencies of Tameside and Saddleworth this year.
Renowned instrument repairers McQueens help restore all sorts of things to past glories — from the Premiership Trophy to a 103 year old euphonium.
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Reviews
Concert: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band & Tredegar Band
June 24 • Mussorgsky meets Mozart. Conductor: Ian Porthouse. The Bradshaw Hall. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Wednesday 20th June
Book: From Umchucks to Cadenzas
June 23 • The Highs and Blows of 'Higgy'. Author: Gordon Higginbottom. Available from: Fanfare North. Price: £9.99 plus postage and package. From: http://www.fanfarenorth.com/
Book: Bandstands - Pavilions for music, entertainment and leisure
June 19 • Author: Paul Rabbitts. Published by Historic England. Price £25.00 (paperback). From: Amazon and other outlets.
Rankings
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory | 1,658.33 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 976.16 |
| 3 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 944.55 |
| 4 | Valaisia Brass Band | 668.92 |
| 5 | Black Dyke | 557.03 |
| 6 | Tredegar | 542.08 |
| 7 | Whitburn | 521.24 |
| 8 | Foden's | 491.86 |
| 9 | Grimethorpe Colliery | 447.26 |
| 10 | Flowers | 332.89 |
Vision
2018 Black Dyke Festival
June 3 • Iwan Fox enjoys the music making on show at the 2018 Black Dyke Festival at Leeds Town Hall
Interview with David Childs
May 28 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to David Childs about his latest American appointment and working on the Edward Gregson Euphonium Concerto
Interview with Edward Gregson
May 28 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to composer Edward Gregson about his new Euphonium Concerto written for David Childs
Interview with Tom Davoren in Palanga
April 8 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Tom Davoren to find out more about his trip to Palanga with Filton Concert Band - and about the venue that may host the 2020 European Champinships.
What's on
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Friday 29 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street Opp. RESERVED. London . W1C 2DJ W1C 2DJ
Thundersley Brass Band - TBB Summer Concert
Friday 29 June • Richmond Hall, Richmond Avenue, South Benfleet, Essex SS75HA
PEMBERTON OLD WIGAN DW BRASS BANDS - WIGAN YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Friday 29 June • Mount Zion hall. Pemberton. Wigan WN5 8DZ
Black Dyke Band - Hull City Hall
Saturday 30 June • Hull City Hall, Queen Victoria Square, Carr Ln, Hull HU1 3RQ
Lydbrook Band - Proms in the Park 2018
Saturday 30 June • Speech House Rd, Coleford GL16 7EL GL16 7EL
Vacancies
Chinnor Silver
June 24 • We are looking for a Bb BASS and BACKROW CORNET to complete our happy progressive 2nd section band.. we rehearse in our own bandroom on a wednesday night (extra when needed) . Good book of concerts and contests planned but we keep a realistic approach,
Hungerford Town Band
June 24 • Hungerford Town Band has a vacancy for Soprano, Bb Cornet or solo horn. Our existing players players are happy to move around for the right person. Other instrumentalists are always very welcome to join our thriving community based band.
Glossop Old Band
June 24 • Due to family commitments, Glossop Old Band have an immediate vacancy for a Principal Cornet player. We are a friendly first section band with some contesting and a good mix of concerts. Rehearsals are Tuesday 8-10pm at our Band Club.
Professional Cards
Duncan A. Beckley
BA, QTS, LTCL, FTCL, ARCM
Conductor, adjudicator, band trainer and teacher