Articles /2024
Do you want to go large? — The problems with test piece obesity
May 29, 2025
Is our appetite for everything new and bigger starting to affect our musical well being?
2025 European Championships — Stavanger preview
May 5, 2025
A fascinating weekend of competition is in store in Stavanger with a desire to embrace change to be seen, heard and perhaps even undertaken...
2025 European Championships — Test piece reviews
May 4, 2025
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a close look at the four major test-pieces to be performed in Stavanger this coming weekend.
2025 European Championships — Own choice selections
May 3, 2025
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the wide variety of musical inspirations being explored, examined and endorsed in the bids to win the European titles in Stavanger.
2025 European Championships — Salt tears and Eric Bristow
May 2, 2025
Is it time for EBBA to look at its breaking down its internal boundaries to success rather than seeking to find yet new territory to conquer?
2025 European Championships — Festival Schedule
May 1, 2025
There are plenty of musical as well as non-musical attractions on offer in Stavanger.
Where the Lugar meets the Glaisnock — Interview with David Childs
April 30, 2025
David Childs will give the world premiere of one of the most significant concertos written for the euphonium as he prepares to perform James MacMillan's ‘Where the Lugar meets the Glaisnock’ in Cardiff.
2025 Regional Championships — Preview
February 19, 2025
Stoicism and stubbornness still defies change, but there is still much to admire about the 80th anniversary of the Regional Championships this year.
2025 Regional Championships — Test piece reviews
February 18, 2025
4BR Editor Iwan Fox finds out more about the works from Derek Bourgeois, Morley Calvert, Oliver Waespi, Jacob de Haan and Andrea Price that will test National Final qualification aspirations over the next few weeks.
Wilfred Heaton — His Life - His Music (Part 2)
February 17, 2025
In the second extract from his critically acclaimed biography, Paul Hindmarsh charts Wilfred Heaton's musical apprenticeship.
The Howarth Legacy — 2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival
January 23, 2025
Whilst the banding movement says it owes Elgar Howarth a debt of gratitude, it is a good job the RNCM Festival has been run by people who actually shared his vision.
Wilfred Heaton — His Life - His Music (Part 1)
January 18, 2025
In the first of a series of exclusive extracts from his much anticipated biography to be released at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival, author Paul Hindmarsh explores the early life of the enigmatic composer.
Athena Brass — A unique beacon of excellence
January 10, 2025
The all female brass band will make their much anticipated debut at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival under the direction of Jessica Sneeringer.
Take 5 — Five early season events not to miss
January 6, 2025
Five highlights to try and get to if you can in January and February.
4BR Band of the Year — The conductors and players
December 29, 2024
These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2024 Band of the Year.
Time to test your musical knowledge — 2024 4BR Christmas Quiz
December 26, 2024
It’s time to test your musical knowledge as thanks to our friends at Besson and Band Supplies we have a Besson Prodige Cornet up for grabs for you to pass onto a youth/learner or training band if you can get the answers right.
A brass band Christmas Carol — The same old tale or new hope for the future?
December 21, 2024
What can the past 24 years of banding in the UK tell us about overcoming our present troubles to secure a bright future as 2025 looms.
2024 4BR Awards — Long List nominations
December 18, 2024
These are the bands, conductors, performers, test-pieces, performances and recordings that are in the running for the annual 4BR Awards.
Dutch memories — Images from the 2024 Championship Section in Utrecht
October 28, 2024
The great photographers from Warbermedia were on hand in Utrecht to capture the action on 'The Lost Circle' and its outcomes...
The Brass Band Conference 2024 — A new measurement of success
October 21, 2024
The Brass Bands England Conference spoke of an organisation confident in its creative approach to the communal challenges of the brass banding movement.
The right National number — What options now for the Royal Albert Hall?
October 11, 2024
Kapitol is faced with a balancing act conundrum to solve as it reduces the number of competitors to increase the appeal of the top section National Championship of Great Britain.
Take 5 — A quintet of talking points from the Royal Albert Hall
October 8, 2024
There were plenty of talking points that bubbled away at this year's National Final in London...
2024 National Championship of Great Britain Final — Adjudicator remarks
October 7, 2024
The three judges, Dr Stephen Cobb, Prof Rob Wiffin OBE and Arsene Duc made their opinions clear in their remarks on 'Harrison's Dream' for the podium finishers.
2024 National Championship of Great Britain Final — Championship Section preview
October 3, 2024
The National Final remains strong in spirit and contesting intrigue, but is age finally catching up with it at the Royal Albert Hall?
2024 National Championship of Great Britain Final — Harrison's Dream
October 2, 2024
Peter Graham's millennium work remains an evocative test of finding John Harrison's 'Deux ex machina'.
The wrong Allen key — Addressing the National Finals' core problem
September 26, 2024
Why laying the blame on Cheltenham as a venue misses the point in addressing the fundamental issue of National Final representation.
Young Performer Spotlight — Morgan Bland
September 24, 2024
In the first of a new series 4BR finds out more about some of the rising stars of the brass band and wider brass playing world.
2024 National Championships of Great Britain Final — First Section preview
September 12, 2024
Who will pull out the type of performance from the stone dead acoustic of Cheltenham to win over the judges with their version of Jan Van der Roost's myth inspired test-piece?
2024 National Championships of Great Britain Final — Second Section preview
September 12, 2024
A work inspired by a 17th century Lutheran chorale and given a typical Swiss twist of modernity will test the 19 contenders long into Sunday night.
2024 National Championships of Great Britain Final — Third Section preview
September 11, 2024
A work written at a time when Britain still ruled the waves in nautical construction will test their ability to build a title winning performance.
2024 National Championships of Great Britain Final — Fourth Section preview
September 11, 2024
18 bands will want to spark title winning interest in the adjudication box at Cheltenham this weekend.
2024 British Open Championship — Images from The Lost Circle
September 10, 2024
Photographers Craig Chapman and Connor Redmond captured the action for 4BR at Symphony Hall on the weekend
Take 5 — A quintet of talking points from the 170th British Open
September 9, 2024
The 2024 British Open marked a new era at the event - one that has new challenges as well as opportunities to consider for the future.
2024 British Open Championship — Adjudicator remarks
September 9, 2024
Dr Stephen Cobb, Anne Crookston and Dr Luc Vertommen had plenty to ponder and analyse in the box on 'The Lost Circle' with the podium finishers at Symphony Hall.
2024 British Open Championship — The Lost Circle preview
September 6, 2024
A work of questioning and doubting, speculating and reappraising will test the bands to the full if they wish to claim the 170th British Open title.
2024 British Open Championship — Contest preview
September 5, 2024
Which band will band will come up with the answer to a millennia old question at Symphony Hall this weekend?
2024 British Open Championship — The day the Open changed forever
August 30, 2024
Brass band historian Tim Mutum looks back exactly 100 years to a contest win that sent shock waves around the world.
2024 British Open Championship — Memories of 2023
August 29, 2024
Photographer Craig Chapman will once again be on hand at Symphony Hall to capture the action as it unfolds - just as he did with these memorable shots from 2023.
New Korea move for Foden's — Open Champion at the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival.
August 24, 2024
Foden's Band has just returned from a memorable trip to perform as part of the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival in South Korea.
Nordic links — Manger Musikklag enjoy a mini Euro tour
July 16, 2024
Manger Musikklag recently enjoyed a short tour to France, Netherlands and Belgium to link up with new musical friends.
Positives and negatives — The need to make foundation connections in Wales
July 15, 2024
In the latest of our opinion series, Alun F Williams argues that there is a bright future for grass roots banding in Wales if proactive action is taken.
Taking Pride — Why banding needs to both talk about as well as show solidarity
June 23, 2024
In the latest in our opinion series, player Emily Peart argues that the banding movement must talk as well as show solidarity with Pride Month
Images of Champion inspiration — 2024 Black Dyke Band Festival
June 22, 2024
Photographer John Stirzaker was on hand at the recent Black Dyke Brass Band Festival to capture plenty of images of a great day of inclusive music making.
History lessons — Learning from the past to meet future challenges
June 21, 2024
Brass band historian Tim Mutum asks whether banding in the UK can survive another elemental challenge if we are not prepared to change.
2024 Whit Friday — Images from Delph
May 28, 2024
Photographer Aaron Haynes was out and about at Delph on Whit Friday to record the action and entertainment.
In the spirit of a Grand Day out? — Personal thoughts for debate
May 24, 2024
Paul Gomersall wonders if we are only really interested in paying lip service to the true spirit of contest banding...
2024 Whit Friday — Celebrating a unique tradition
May 21, 2024
The popular and lucrative Whit Friday contests will hopefully bring the very best out of bands, participants and visitors this year.
Generator AMPS — Katrina Marzella-Wheeler leads inclusive support for conductors
May 16, 2024
Katrina Marzella-Wheeler recently spearheaded a conducting workshop aimed at getting everyone playing together under a baton.
2024 European Brass Band Championships — Test piece review: A Road Less Travelled By
May 1, 2024
Philip Sparke takes on the role of a musical anatomist with his latest major test piece work.
2024 European Brass Band Championships — Own choice works
April 30, 2024
New as well as familiar blockbusters will be on show in both the Championship and Challenge Sections in Palanga.
2024 European Brass Band Championships — A road worth travelling
April 29, 2024
It has been a journey full of frustrations to finally get to Palanga, but it is sure to well worth it now that the destination has finally been reached.
2024 ConsTest Birmingham Open — Live coverage
April 6, 2024
4BR is at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to bring you coverage of the second edition of the popular own-choice competition.
2024 NABBA Championships — America decides
April 5, 2024
Tony Granados of the NABBA Board in the Adjudication, Music and Contest committees explains how the judging system will work at the US National Championships in Alabama this weekend.
Picture postcards — Images from the 2024 National Youth Champs
March 28, 2024
There were some great pictures that caught a flavour of a brilliant day of musical making at the National Youth Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham.
Take 5 — Opinion points from the Regional Championships
March 27, 2024
Five things open to discussion from the recent series of competitive events around the country.
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 29: Major George H Willcocks MBE, MVO
February 29, 2024
Tim Mutum looks back at the remarkable life and brass band career of a musician who still evokes immediate admiration and respect 60 years and more after his death.
Empowering Futures — Grimethorpe's education outreach ambition
February 23, 2024
One of UK's most famous bands is investing in the education of future generations of players to help rejuvenate community brass band music making.
Take 5 — Highlights from the 2024 RNCM International Brass Band Festival
February 8, 2024
Five things that caught the imagination and gained deserved acclaim at the recent RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.
Right or wrong? — That thorny topic of trust
February 6, 2024
Brass band writer Christopher Thomas adds his thoughts on adjudication trust and integrity and how he believes we all have a part to play in its reform and modernisation.
4BR Interview — Air Specialist (Class 1) Alan Thomas
February 4, 2024
Former City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet Alan Thomas tells 4BR why swapping a civilian musical life for one in the RAF was one of the best decisions he has made.
Grading true excellence — What banding can learn from rugby league
January 24, 2024
Can brass banding learn from the radical approach of rugby league to evaluate the right levels of competitive success on and off the field of play.
Take 5 — Five early season events not to miss
January 22, 2024
Lots to look forward to in the early part of 2024, but these five events should top your 'not to miss' list .
Pause for thought — Time to trust our judges
January 17, 2024
In the first of a new series 4BR Editor Iwan Fox argues that it is time to pay the price of simply trusting the expertise of our judges.
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 28: Frank Wright MBE
January 10, 2024
Tim Mutum looks back on the life of the Australian musician who became one of the most important figures in the post war banding world in the UK.
From darkness to light — 4BR talks to Eliot Darwin
January 6, 2024
Conductor Eliot Darwin made the most important decision of all when circumstances beyond his control took a horrific turn in the wrong direction. Now though he is looking forward to the start of an exciting new chapter in his musical life.
