Interview with Hannah Caraker
June 28
4BR Editor catches up the winner of the 2026 Brass Band Conductors Association flagship Conducting title.
Caraker claims BBCA conducting crown
June 28 • There is an American victory in Halifax as Hannah Caraker claims flagship Brass Band Conductors Competition prize.
Van Looy to lead Carlton Main at British Open
June 28 • Glenn Van Looy will take the baton with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery for their British Open challenge.
Atherton adds to Rath artist roster
June 28 • Brighouse & Rastrick bass trombone player Ollie Atherton has become a Rath Trombones artist.
Brass bands regain Parliamentary voice
June 27 • The setting up of a new All Party Parliamentary Group for Brass Banding gives brass bands a specific voice of support in Westminster.
Interview with Alan Duguid
June 26 • 4BR talks to conductor Alan Duguid about the inspirations behind his band's latest contemporary concert featuring works by Malcolm Arnold, David Bedford, Judith Bingham, Freddie Myers, Richard Rodney Bennett, Edmund Rubbra and Raymond Yiu.
Alan Jenkins funeral details announced
June 25 • The funeral details for the highly respected musician and journalist Alan Jenkins have been announced.
Gray and Waespi to lead joint masterclass approach in Bern
June 25 • A four-day conducting and composing masterclass led by Russell Gray and Oliver Waespi will take place in Bern later this year.
Invites open for Scottish Festival of Brass
June 25 • Bands wishing to take part in the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge and the Scottish Open supported by Besson.
The Fenlands: Soli Brass
£7.05
LSO Live: Holst & Bax (Sir Antonio Pappano)
£15.50£13.17
Still Glides the Stream
£11.50
Remembering Trevor Austin
June 24 • A year ago today, Trevor Austin, the widely admired and respected founder of Rosehill Instruments passed away aged 94. In his eulogy, his younger son, Paul, shared his fondest memories of working with his father - a man who touched many musical lives.
4BR Review - Episode 19
June 19 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and colleague Chris Thomas casts their opinions on the recent Elgar International Festival of Brass plus lates CDs, books, events and LPs
4BR Review - Episode 18
May 21 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas are joined by Edward Gregson and Paul Hindmarsh to discuss how the wider musical world perceives the banding movement, and what we must do to reinvigorate our artistic vision.
4BR Review - Episode 17
May 11 • Iwan and Chris look at the wider contest issues that have arisen from the recent European Championships in Linz and Spring Festival in Birmingham.
Sponsored Content: Rrrrrosehill!: Remembering Trevor Austin
June 24 • A year on from Trevor's death, Rosehill Instruments reflects on the legacy of its founder in the banding world.
Nordic investment funds: Musical dividends paid to young and old
June 11 • Long term investment and inspirational leadership has seen a brass band playing renaissance in one small part of Norway.
Hey Diggle, Diggle: 2026 Whit Friday images
June 5 • Well known brass band photographer John Stirzaker enjoyed the Whit Friday music making at Diggle through the lens of his camera...
Opinion debate: The luck of the draw or data driven evidence?
May 18 • 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.
Concert: the cooperation band & The Wallace Collection
June 27 • An authentic musical monument to Giovanni Gabrieli and John Wallace is brought to spectacular life in Orkney.
CD review: Time Pieces
June 25 • Andrew McMillan adds to the Scottish export drive with a release of refreshing ambition.
Concert: Ibrahim Maalouf
June 22 • The Lebanese trumpet star works an eager audience into his fusion groove.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flowers | 1,159.01 |
| 2 | Valaisia Brass Band | 838.74 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 768.39 |
| 4 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 765.01 |
| 5 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 741.42 |
| 6 | Cory | 714.36 |
| 7 | Foden's | 647.08 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 587.55 |
| 9 | Tredegar | 547.92 |
| 10 | Black Dyke | 506.62 |
Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band
Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH
Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band
Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective
Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band
Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD
Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF
Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ
Chinnor Silver
June 27 • We are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join our friendly ambitious 1st Section band.. We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom . We have a good and varied diary of concerts, contests and a trip aboard planned for 2027
East London Brass
June 26 • Percussionist: ELB is looking for a talented percussionist to join our existing section. We’re an ambitious band with an exciting programme and plenty to look forward to in the second half of the year.
Lostock Hall Brass Band
June 23 • Could you be the kit player to make our percussion team complete? . We would love to hear from you.. with National Finals in September and promotion to the North West 1st Section from January 2027 there is so much to look forward too .
Alan Widdop
Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)