4BR Monday interview with Brett Baker
January 4
In the first of a new series of weekly audio interviews, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox catches up with Brett Baker.
4BR Christmas Quiz: The answers and winner
January 4 • There was a great response to the annual 4BR Christmas Quiz — but it did catch quite a lot of people out too...
AoBBA to lead Area test-piece workshop
January 4 • The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators will join up with Newstead Brass to present a free Regionals Test Piece workshop for Sections 2, 3 & 4.
Ramsay takes principal cooperation role
January 4 • Alex Ramsay has become the principal cornet of the cooperation band.
Flowers enjoy busy 2025 with more to come in 2026
January 4 • Paul Holland and Flowers seek new horizons in 2026 after a busy year at home.
Battle of the Clans
January 4 • A new cross border contest pitting the bands of the North of England against their Scottish counterparts will take place in June.
Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 22
January 4 • The popular podcast with a distinctive Welsh flavour returns for the new year.
Podcast: Smith & Grezzy's Big Chat Brass
January 4 • Sandy and Simon look back at the topics and discussions that they covered during 2025.
Radio: Touch of Brass
January 4 • More great music to enjoy over the next two weeks from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedges.
Black Dyke Mills Band: Classic Brass
£5.39£5.39
Brass from the Masters - Volume 1
£6.50£6.50
Still Glides the Stream
£11.25£11.25
4BR Review - Episode 13
December 31 • Iwan and Chris announce the long list of nominations for the 2025 4BR Awards. Drum roll please...
4BR Review - Episode 12
December 5 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas explore the intriguing question of whether or not there has been a change in outlook in the music being performed at major contests, concerts and on recordings.
4BR Review - Episode 11
November 23 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas discuss whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host major championship competitions.
4BR Review - Episode 10
October 21 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look back at the 2025 Albert Hall National Championship.
Take 5: A quintet of early seasons events to enjoy
January 2 • Five festivals, championships, concerts and contests to make a date in you diary to attend in January and February.
4BR Band of the Year: The conductor and players
December 29 • These are the performers who made a mark on 4BR in the last 12 months to book their place in the ranks of our 2025 Band of the Year.
4BR Christmas Quiz: How good is your brass band knowledge?
December 26 • Thanks to our friends at Band Supplies and Besson we have a fantastic Prodige Cornet and gifts waiting to find a new home in 2026 — if you can get the answers right.
The Baroness Hodge Arts Council England Report: A possible ACE hand for banding?
December 23 • Baroness Hodge has taken Arts Council England to task for stifling artistic innovation and creativity, so what could her recommendations mean for banding bodies who get ACE funding.
LP review: A Tribute to Eric Ball OBE, ARCM
January 5 • A 45 year old reminder of the timeless qualities of a composer that the current brass band movement would do well to full re-evaluate.
Concert: Laganvale Metal Technology Band
December 31 • A early festive helping of Christmas cheer from Charles Ffyffe and his band.
LP review: Tidings of Great Joy
December 19 • A festive reminder from Derek Broadbent and Brighouse & Rastrick that brass bands can still make a commercial mark on the wider listening public with a Christmas offering.
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brass Band Treize Etoiles | 1,051.10 |
| 2 | Cory | 970.90 |
| 3 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 910.39 |
| 4 | Foden's | 873.75 |
| 5 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 833.00 |
| 6 | Black Dyke | 724.03 |
| 7 | Flowers | 723.61 |
| 8 | Brass Band Willebroek | 653.72 |
| 9 | Valaisia Brass Band | 537.22 |
| 10 | Desford Colliery | 410.82 |
Newstead Brass - Brett Baker
Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA
The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert
Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships
Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015
Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships
Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ
Tewit Silver Band
January 3 • PRINCIPAL Eb BASS position - our enthusiastic team of basses are looking for the right leader to elevate them to the next level. We have a great program of events ahead of us including contests and concerts alongside a good social vibe.
Tewit Silver Band
January 3 • Championship CORNET players - we are looking for a strong front row player to complete our section. We have a great year ahead including contests, hymn and march contests, concerts and Durham Miners alongside a good social vibe.
East London Brass
January 3 • PERCUSSIONIST - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a percussionist to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.
Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen
D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.