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2013 4BR Awards — Conductor of the Year

Which conductor made the biggest impression on the collective consciousness in 2013?

There were hundreds of them plying their trade — although some more successfully than others.

4barsrest awardsThere were plenty of conducting performances to savour during 2013 - even though not all of them resulted in steering bands to victory.

As always, some of the best conducting we witnessed during the year wasn’t even on the contest stage – although in banding terms, that was where the vast majority needed to perform to keep their jobs.

Our nominations were certainly successful on the contest, concert and recording stages, and all seemed to have that little ‘extra’ about themselves this year – although there was a list as long as your arm to think about...

Go to Voting:
http://www.4barsrest.com/awards/default.asp


Marieka Gray

Marieka Gray

One of the most impressive conductors in the banding world in 2013 - from Perth to Perth and all stops in between in fact.

Her compact, intelligent direction of Milnrow not only saw them win the Grand Shield and qualify for the British Open and National Finals for the first time in their history, but when they got there they revelled in the experience too.

Add to that a fine piece of musical husbandry at the English National, impressive guest appearances with Randaberg in Norway, South Brisbane Federal in Australia, Reg Vardy in Scotland and her ongoing commitment to Eccles Borough in the Third Section, and you can see why her talents are now in demand all over the banding globe.


Philip HAarper

Philip Harper

Philip Harper certainly came of conducting age in 2012, but hallmarked his talents even further in 2013.

The pressure is always on at Cory, but it was at bursting point after the Welsh Area where they came 5th. However, the rest of the year was a juggernaut of increasingly impressive performances that had the stamp of his musical personality all over the number 1 ranked band in the world.

The year ended with them crowned European, National and Brass in Concert champions – and very nearly the British Open and World champions too.  

Multi talented and multi faceted - his musical reputation grows by the year.


Philip McCann

Phillip McCann

The Scotsman can still divide opinion with his interpretations on the contest stage at times, but there no denying the amount of time, energy and talent he commits to each performance for whatever band he conducts.

2013 saw him at his very best – from Scotland to Sweden in fact.

His direction of Carlton Main was superb - resulting in a fine victory at Bradford, a solid return at the British Open and a memorable performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

He also inspired a more disparate collection of players at Kirkintilloch to qualify for London and re-claim their British Open berth at the Grand Shield, before rounding off the year by leading Windcorp Brass to victory at the Swedish National Championships.


Ian Porthouse

Ian Porthouse

A conductor who continues to get better year on year. 

Leading Tredegar to their second British Open title in four years was some achievement - especially given the pressure they were under following their failed Masters hat-trick bid, but it was how he then built on that success at the Nationals and Brass in Concert that was even more impressive.

Those performances came from a band and conductor working as one - and they came mighty close to winning them both too. 

All that and he drew one heck of a performance out of Whitburn to win the Scottish Championship, made a fine impression at the Norwegian Championships and has enhanced his reputation as a band trainer on his increasingly busy trips around the globe.


Allan Withington

Allan Withington

Even if he didn’t quite capture the same amount of contesting silverware as he did in 2012 Allan Withington still led the way with his insatiable appetite to try something new and inventive.

The contest victories did come - and a brace of memorable ones they were too with Stavanger at Siddis and Manger at the World Championship in Kerkrade, whilst he also led a slightly misfiring Foden’s with determination.

However, his outstanding course in Leeuwarden continues to develop new and existing conducting talent with such imagination that his influence will be felt all over the musical world for years to come.    



Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Saturday 22 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Regent Hall Concerts - Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army

Saturday 22 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Contest: North of England Regional Championships

Sunday 23 March • 1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA


Haverhill Silver Band

March 20 • Haverhill Silver Band seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET to join the band after the Senior Cup. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band to Whit Friday and beyond, following a great 4th place result at the regionals.


Rode Hall Silver Band

March 19 • Following a successful start to our 2025 contest season, Rode Hall Band are looking for a good TROMBONE player to join this enthusiastic, friendly and progressive 3rd section band based on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border. Position negotiable.


Linthwaite Band

March 18 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting Band based on the outskirts of Huddersfield, with a busy schedule coming up over the year, and to help complete the Band we have a vacancy for a 2nd cornet player, and are keen to fill the position.


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

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