Opinion debate — The luck of the draw or data driven evidence?

May 18, 2026
Is it a myth that the winning of a contest can in part be down to the luck of the draw, or does new research add statistical substance to back up the belief? Kathleen Gaspoz has been drilling into the stats to back her opinion.

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2026 European Brass Band Championships — Test piece reviews

April 23, 2026
4BR Editor Iwan Fox takes a closer look at the set-works to be played this weekend from Thomas Doss, Andreas Ziegelback, Otto M Schwarz and Thomas Murauer.

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2026 European Brass Band Championships — Own choice selections

April 21, 2026
4BR finds out more about the own-choice works to be performed by the bands in the Championship and Challenge Sections in Linz.

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2026 European Brass Band Championships — Welcome to Linz

April 20, 2026
Increased size and wider vision underpins EBBA's ethos behind its flagship event - but concerns about the direction of future travel remain...

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A Laugh Less Ordinary — A musical tribute to Victoria Wood

April 8, 2026
Simon Watts of the NYBBGB talks to composer Andrea Price ahead of the world premiere of her work celebrating the life and laughs of the unique Victoria Wood.

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Opportunity knocks — Can we make the most of the renewed interest in us?

April 7, 2026
With brass banding undergoing one of its cyclical upturns in profile from the wider musical world, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox wonders if we are in the position to make the most of our latest opportunity.

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Take 5 — Regional Championship debating points

April 6, 2026
Five issues to think about, debate and perhaps even come up with an answer to following the recent series of Regional Championship events around the country.

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Take 5 — A quintet of female works to be enjoyed on more than the one day a year

March 5, 2026
8th March marks International Women's Day. The 4BR Editor picks five compositions by female composers that deserve to be celebrated in performance all year around.

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Interpreting the post Covid Area numbers — What's your answer?

February 28, 2026
Are we really combating the decline of our competing numbers with the small sustainability changes and choices that are being made at the Regional Championships? Check the recent numbers and see what you think.

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Beware shifting sands — The need for banding to read the warning signs

February 21, 2026
Brass Bands England very nearly paid the price for not heeding the warning signs of shifting financial sands - but their close call can instil optimism for the future.

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The Regional Championships — The bedrock of British banding

February 20, 2026
As competitors prepare for the series of regional qualifying contests, Tim Mutum explains how they came about by hard work and persuasion, and why, 60 years ago, the whole thing nearly came crashing down.

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What the papers say — Brass bands and the mainstream media

January 22, 2026
The banding movement has it challenges, but even the BBC Music Magazine seems to offer little in support of the efforts to break free of stereotypes

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Take 5 — A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy

January 2, 2026
Five festivals, championships, concerts and contests to make a date in you diary to attend in January and February.

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