2004 4BR Awards - The Results: more... Who came top of the 4BR Awards for 2004 then? If you are ready, we shall reveal the long awaited list of winners. 25.12.04
2004 4BR End of term reports: more... 4BR Grade the top 25 students How have the class of 2004 done at the year long slog of examinations that were put in front of them by the musical inspectors throughout the UK and Europe this year. And what will the 4BR Headteacher write on their annual reports back to their parents. 24.12.04
2004 4BR Band of the Year: more... Who are the players (and conductor) who we have chosen as the 4BR Band of the Year for 2004? Some great performers from all around the world have made it into our band for us, but do you agree with our choices? 22.12.04
Soapbox Opinion Number 3: more... Composer Philip Lawrence gets on his soapbox and gives a quite surreal blast from his spleen about our approach in the brass band movement to the works of hard working, underated and underpaid composers. 22.12.04
Thanks for the Memory No 11: more... Legends in Brass: The Oughton Family Chris Helme looks at the remarkable story of one of the movements greatest ever brass banding families - the Oughtons who can claim over a century of brass players in their ranks. 21.12.04
The top 10: more... 10 Most Influential People in the Brass Band Movement We first produced our list in 2002, but who are the 10 most influential people around in the movement as we enter 2005, and have any or all of the class of 2002 survived or have some fallen away? 20.12.04
Masterclass number 3 - by Roger Webster: more... In the third part of his current series of masterclasses, Roger Webster gives you tips on how to improve by practice (something we all need to do more of!). 20.12.04
2004 4BR Awards: more... Just before you all pack away your instruments (a la Blue Peter tortoise) for their traditional winter hibernation, the time has come again for the ever so traditional 4BR Awards. 13.12.04
2004 Scottish Open: Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sunday, 28 November 2004
Remembrance - In Memorium Edwin Firth: more... With the 90th anniversary of the Great War just passed, Allan Littlemore pays tribute to one of the numerous bandsmen to give their lives for our freedom - the great Edwin Firth. 23.11.04
Masterclass number 2 - by Roger Webster: more... Roger looks at the somewhat neglected art of "warming up" 17.11.04
2004 Spennymoor Brass in Concert: Sunday 21 November Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High Street, Spennymoor, DL16 6DB.
Masterclass number 1 - by Roger Webster: more... Roger Webster starts his series of masterclasses on the topics of Preperation, Practice and Performance as a taster for his forthcoming study book. 22.09.04
2004 British Open Championships: Full coverage... Birmingham Symphony Hall, 18 September 2004 16.09.04
Andrew Snell in Crocodile Dundee Territory: more... In the second of her series of "Brits Down Under", Amanda Casagrande catches up with Andrew Snell, ex Grimethorpe Bass Trombone, 3500km in the Outback. 16.09.04
Soapbox opinions number 2: Dave Payn: more... Dave Payn, Principal Cornet of the Fulham Brass Band and conductor of the Merton Concert Band gets on his soapbox and gives his fourpenneth worth on adjudication at lower section contests. 16.09.04
National Championships 2004: Full coverage... Harrogate Conference Centre, Yorkshire, 11-12 September 2004 07.09.04
Astley Youth Band - 10th Anniversary Tour: more... Astley Youth Band has just enjoyed a fantastic trip to France and to the tip of the mountain that is the biggest test for all those riders on the Tour de France. This is how they got on... 13.08.04
Conducting Technique: more... Young composer and conductor James McFadyen explores the art of conducting technique. 13.08.04
Banding downunder: Peter Younghusband - more... Amanda Casagrande continues her look at the brass band scene in Australia with a profile of one of the many "ex pats" who has been making a name for himself out there - Peter "Monkey" Younghusband. 30.07.04
Soapbox Opinions: Number 1: David Ashworth - more... The start of a new series from 4BR sees different people in the brass band world given the chance to air their opinions about the big questions of the day. We start off with David Ashworth giving his two penny worth. 05.08.04
Advert: Time for an Oil Change? - more... Roger Webster has brought out a brand new range of Eco-lube instrument lubricants. Find out more. 30.07.04
An overview of brass banding in Australia: more... Amanda Casagrande gives a personal overview of the current brass band scene in Australia, where size really does matter! 25.07.04
Tour de France - Carlton Brass style: more... The Midlanders have just returned from a very enjoyable tour of France. This is their very personal account of the trip to enhance the "Entent Cordiale" between our two great nations. 25.07.04
Euphonium Masterclass with David Thornton: more... No 1. Back to Basics Black Dyke's David Thornton starts his new series of masterclasses on the art of euphonium playing. It all starts with Back to Basics. 13.07.04
2004 West Lothian Festival of Brass Final: more... The West Lothian Festival of Brass Final went the way of the bookmakers with Whitburn clinching a well-deserved victory, despite a fine performance from Newtongrange on the night.
2004 Whit Friday Marches: more... Our man Malcolm Wood was out and about on the longest and most enjoyable day of contesting in the brass band calendar.
Thanks for the Memory No 10: more... Legends in Brass: Arthur Laycock ".Trumpeter - what are you sounding now." By Chris Helme
My Australian Diary: more... 'Cherry Ripe' Katrina Marzella sends us the first part of her Aussie experience 04.04.04
A History of the Virtuosi Brass Band of Great Britain - a 3 part account: more... Fred Waters presents his definitive history of an unique brass band - the 28 of the best players in the land, who came together to perform on nine LP's and one concert in the heady days of the 1970's called the Virtuosi Brass Band of Great Britain. 04.04.04
Retrospective - Tameside Open Brass Band Championships 2004: more... Supported by Tameside MBC, Tameside Hippodrome, Ashton-Under-Lyne Sunday 28th March, 2004 04.04.04
Regional Retrospectives: All regions A band by band look at the competitions in retrospect. - Yorkshire: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - Midlands: C | 1 |2 | 3 |4 - North West: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - Wales: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - Scotland: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - London & SC: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - North of England: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 - West of England: C | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 30.03.04
Regionals 2004: Tristan Encounters: more... Martin Ellerby gives his thoughts on "Tristan". This years test piece for the championship section 10.03.04
Thanks for the Memory No 8: more... Arthur Oakes Pearce The Prime Minister of Bandmasters By Chris Helme 22.02.04
Retrospective: 2004 Norwegian Championships: more... Our thoughts on the Elite section from competition 19.02.04
Retrospective:BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist Final: more... The Brown Shipley Hall, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Saturday 14th February 19.02.04
Retrospective: The Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships 2004: more... Howden Park Centre - Livingston 7th & 8th February 2004 19.02.04
Interview: Katrina Marzella - more... 4BR catch up with BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year, 20 year-old Katrina Marzella 17.02.04
Live: 2004 Norwegian Championships 4br comments on each of the performances in the Elite section - set work - own choice 14.02.04
Timpani & Percussion - part 4: more... Dave Griffiths continues his detailed look into the arts and crafts of brass band percussion playing. 10.02.04
Retrospective - Yeovil 2004: more... Our thoughts on Flowers second successive victory, and the performances from the 14 bands on show 08.02.04
"I'm Still Surprised": more... by Tyrone Guthrie With the annual jamboree of the Area Championships nearly upon us, we've dug deep into our history and picked out this absolute pearler of reporting from the BBC. 06.02.04
Preview: Yeovil Contest 2004: more... Saturday 7th February 2004, The Octagon Theatre Yeovil. 01.02.04
Timpani & Percussion - part 3: more... Dave Griffiths continues his detailed look into the arts and crafts of brass band percussion playing. 29.01.04
4BR World Rankings Review 2003: more... Rankings Guru Jim Casey looks back at the 2003 contesting season and gives further insight into the workings of the system and the plans for 2004. 22.01.04
Rehearsals: more... Some 70 years. In 1934, Dr. Harold Hind wrote his book entitled "The Brass Band". This chapter dealt with how brass bands should rehearse. Some things certainly have not changed! 21.01.04
ABBA AGM: more... Malcolm Brownbill reports on Derek Broadbent's seminar about the role of the adjudicator at today's brass band contests. 19.01.04
ABBA AGM: more... 4BR sent our man Malcolm Wood to see and hear what the adjudicators had to say at their AGM. 10.01.04
May 26 • Our friendly non-contesting band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks 3rd cornet and 2nd baritone players. Others always welcome!
May 26 • Our friendly non-contesting band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks capable percussionists, both kit and tuned. Other players also welcome!
