Articles /2023
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.
4BR Band of the Year — The conductors and players
December 30, 2023
These are conductors and players that made the lasting impression on us throughout 2023.
2023 Christmas Quiz — Time to test your musical knowledge
December 26, 2023
We have a fantastic prize of a Besson Prodige Cornet and other goodies worth over £600 up for grabs if you can get the answers right to our musical quiz.
2023 4BR Awards — Long list nominees
December 14, 2023
The long list of nominees in each category of the 2023 4BR Awards have been announced.
Dropping the rules — 2024 RNCM International Brass Band Festival
November 15, 2023
There is a world class line up of performers, soloists, commissions, classic works and more as Artistic Director Dr David Thornton leads a new era for the global brass band showcase event.
Placards, protests and persuasion — Elite band forums and judges
November 7, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at the potential for the resolution of issues that continue to vex the banding movement, but hold little interest to the wider musical world.
2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Take 5 talking points from the Albert Hall
October 25, 2023
There was plenty to discuss and debate after an intriguing National Championship Final in the heart of London.
2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Top 4 adjudications
October 24, 2023
This is what Dr Robert Childs, Prof Roger Webster and Dr Stephen Cobb thought of the bands that claimed the pre-qualification top four places at the Royal Albert Hall.
2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Preview
October 19, 2023
All bets are off this weekend, but Foden's may well still be the short priced favourite to emulate their famous predecessors.
2023 National Championship of Great Britain — Of Men and Mountains
October 18, 2023
Edward Gregson's generational work will finally be heard at a venue as imposing in scale as its own metaphorical inspiration.
An icon like no other — The Royal Albert Hall
October 17, 2023
Helen Varley takes a closer personal as well as professional look into why the Royal Albert Hall remains such an iconic venue.
A Good conversation — Colour Sergeant David Hamilton
October 16, 2023
As Mark Good finds out, the route to becoming a military musician was not a simple one for Colour Sergeant David Hamilton but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
A critical mass of confidence — 2023 Brass Bands England Conference
October 11, 2023
Boldness, invention and cooperation could well be the keys to Brass Bands England's future ambitions after a display of collective confidence at its annual conference in Huddersfield.
2023 Cheltenham National Finals — First Section preview
September 14, 2023
A tale of architectural renaissance from the flames of London's destruction provides a dramatic test for the bands in search of the First Section title.
2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Second Section preview
September 14, 2023
From three notes to three lakes is the challenge to be met by the bands tackling Philip Sparke's ever inventive test-piece if they are to claim the National title.
2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Third Section preview
September 13, 2023
A ghostly reminder of the human cost of both necessity and bureaucracy faces the bands in the Third Section on Sunday morning.
2023 National Championships of Great Britain — Fourth Section preview
September 13, 2023
A jaunty celebration of the historic links between England and Australia will test the contesting health of bands on Saturday morning.
2023 British Open Championship — Chapper's top Bands and Stars
September 12, 2023
Photographer Craig Chapman and his colleague Connor Redmond were at the British Open to take plenty of great 'Sand and Stars' images.
2023 British Open Championship — Take 5 talking points from Symphony Hall
September 12, 2023
There was so much to enjoy about the 169th British Open Championships - and plenty to talk, opinion and discuss about too...
2023 British Open Championship — Podium place adjudication remarks
September 11, 2023
This what the judges had to say in their written remarks about Foden's, Valaisia and Tredegar's performances of 'Sand and Stars' at the British Open on the weekend.
2023 British Open Championship — Preview
September 8, 2023
The heat will be on in more ways than one at Symphony Hall as 18 bands look to become British Open Champion.
2023 British Open Championship — Take 5 from 25 years at Symphony Hall
September 7, 2023
Five memorable winning performances from the 25 years that the British Open Championship has been held at Symphony Hall.
2023 British Open Championship — Test piece review
September 6, 2023
Thierry Deleruyelle's 20th century lineal celebration of the spirit of human resilience reaches the 1930s with 'Sand and Stars'.
Beating the bullies — Brass band lessons from fact and fiction
August 28, 2023
From films to festivals - the brass band movement should take note of what happens to conductors who abuse their position of power.
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 27: Gordon Langford
August 25, 2023
Tim Mutum finds out more about the man who changed his name to help change the way brass bands performed to the public.
Take 5 — It's all bubble and squeak to me...
August 19, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks at five great works inspired by the myths and tales told by the ancient Greeks...
Revolutionary cooperation — Is it time for a vanguard of band representation?
August 14, 2023
Can bands cut themselves free of a self-made Gordian Knot of apathy and distrust and get someone to represent their thread of views with contest organisers?
Garden Memories — How a farm house find helped Jim Shepherd recall Black Dyke glories
July 10, 2023
The legendary Jim Shepherd was reminded of his decade long tenure at Black Dyke each time he stepped into his garden...
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 26: Arthur Butterworth
July 7, 2023
Almost a century after his birth Tim Mutum finds out more about a composer who remains an intangible enigma to the brass band movement.
A question of Succession — How Logan Roy has pinpointed a brass band predicament
June 29, 2023
Every organisation needs to be prepared for a transition of long term power and influence - although it is not always a decision that works out for the best.
2023 Whit Friday — Images from the day
June 9, 2023
Some of the memorable images taken by bands and put on their social media at this year's Whit Friday contests in Tameside and Saddleworth
Take 5 — A quintet of Ninths
May 31, 2023
Five recordings of Gilbert Vinter's 'Variations on a Ninth' that should be added to any brass band collection.
Marching into the future — Whit Friday preview
May 29, 2023
Malcolm Wood looks forward to the atmosphere and action that will be on show around the famous Whit Friday venues in Tameside and Saddleworth this year.
2023 European Championships — Solo, Challenge & Youth events
May 2, 2023
There are also European titles up for grabs in the Solo, Challenge and Youth Sections in Malmo.
2023 European Championships — Event preview
May 1, 2023
A wonderful city, impressive venue, great music and fantastic bands. There should be something for everyone to enjoy in Malmo then as the European Championships head for a new musical outpost.
2023 European Championships — Own Choice selections
April 30, 2023
From Madmen and Horrowshows, William Byrd and Gabrielli, inner darkness, parallel lives, catharis, global rejoicing and much, much more as the elite contenders take their inspirations to claim the European title....
2023 European Championships — Here comes the sun...
April 29, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a close look at 'Aurora' - the Championship Section test-piece that could provide the sign to conquer rivals for one band in Malmo...
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 25: Maurice Murphy
April 10, 2023
Tim Mutum looks back on the career of the player who provided the world with "the voice of a hero".
Of Men and Mountains — Gregson's neglected masterpiece returns at last
March 31, 2023
4BR talks to composer Edward Gregson about his composition to find out more about its abandonment and long overdue return to the Royal Albert Hall.
Think of a number — The Regional Championships need urgent help
March 28, 2023
471 may seem an impressive figure, but the statistics behind it reveal a different truth.
Live — 2023 National Youth Championships of Great Britain
March 25, 2023
Coverage of the 2023 National Youth Championships of Great Britain live from Stockport Grammar School
Keeping good vision — Brass musicians and the risk of Glaucoma
February 21, 2023
4BR talks to the experts at Allegro Optical to find out more about the risks of glaucoma.
Answering health questions — How the Covid-19 break has renewed Norwegian banding
February 16, 2023
The return of the Norwegian National Championships has seen the banding culture take a positive look at battling middle age lethargy.
4BR Hall of Fame — No. 24: Geoffrey Brand
February 15, 2023
Tim Mutum looks back on the life of one of the most dominant figures of the second half of the 20th century banding movement.
2023 RNCM Brass Band Festival — Praise, plaudits and possibilities for the future
February 8, 2023
4BR Editor Iwan Fox looks back at a memorable RNCM Brass Band Festival, as well as examining what the future may hold for the person that takes over its artistic direction...
A postcard Stamp to Grimethorpe — Jack Stamp and his love for British brass bands
January 26, 2023
A slow burning catalyst appreciation of the sound of British brass bands has linked American composer and conductor Jack Stamp with Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Still aiming high — The GUS Band at 90
January 6, 2023
Tim Mutum tells the story of the GUS Band which was formed in 1933 with lofty ambitions.
Take 5 — Not to miss early season treats
January 5, 2023
Our quintet of not to miss musical attractions in the first three months of 2023.
