Latest News
Sun is shining in the sky...
June 24
As ELO once sang — 'there ain't a cloud in sight' today — so why not enjoy a brass band concert in the park. It's better than worrying about the England football team and the latest Brexit travails on Love Island...
4BR Shop: Go straight, cupped or practice...
June 23 • If its a straight, cup or practice mute at a great price you are looking for today, then go 4BR shopping...
Plenty of prizes to play for at Foden's annual Solo, Duet & Quartet contest day
June 23 • There really is something to play for at Foden's annual contest — from the youngest to the oldest and all stops in between — including a great new family duet category...
Wales seeks community approach to composer pathways
June 23 • A new four pronged initiative to help Welsh composers has been launched to create a community of shared learning and collaboration experience.
4BR Shop: Flash the plastic!
June 22 • There is a great deal on the iconic plastic pTrumpet through the 4BR Shop at the moment thanks to Band Supplies.
Jagger makes stone's throw move to sop
June 22 • Rob Jagger has made the move from bumper-up to soprano cornet for Grand Shield champion Hammonds.
Are you in the market for a bass trombone?
June 22 • If you are looking for a pro level bass trombone then John Packer has one ready and waiting for a new home...
Muggeridge takes Flight with life saving CD
June 22 • Former Fairey Band baritone player Keith Muggeridge has launched a fund raising CD to say thank you to the brilliant Air Ambulance Service that helped save his life.
Report & Result: 2018 Hebden Bridge March & Hymn Tune
June 22 • Hammonds make Knight work of defending their Hebden Bridge title under MD Morgan Griffiths.
Editor's Picks
What's in your bag?: A starter kit guide for percussionists
June 23 • In the first part of a new series, Cory principal percussionist James Andrews gives young players some tips on what things they need to get for their kit bag when they first get started...
Per Mare, Per Terram: Marine life meets Low Brass lovers in Portsmouth
June 15 • HMS Nelson in Portsmouth recently held a fantastic day of inspirational low brass teaching and playing where Les Neish, Simon Minshall, David Childs and Robbie Harvey took command of the musical troops.
Don’t look back in anger: How memories of Britpop should give us a kick up the backside
June 11 • A less than cool perception of what brass bands have left to offer an ageing generation of Oasis and Blur fans may in fact be the perfect stimulus to reach out to the new generation of pop obsessed youngsters...
2018 Whit Friday contests: Preview of the Tameside and Saddleworth events
May 24 • The main brass bands candidates will be joined by a ballot paper full of representatives around the Whit Friday constituencies of Tameside and Saddleworth this year.
Renowned instrument repairers McQueens help restore all sorts of things to past glories — from the Premiership Trophy to a 103 year old euphonium.
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Reviews
Concert: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band & Tredegar Band
June 24 • Mussorgsky meets Mozart. Conductor: Ian Porthouse. The Bradshaw Hall. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Wednesday 20th June
Book: From Umchucks to Cadenzas
June 23 • The Highs and Blows of 'Higgy'. Author: Gordon Higginbottom. Available from: Fanfare North. Price: £9.99 plus postage and package. From: http://www.fanfarenorth.com/
Book: Bandstands - Pavilions for music, entertainment and leisure
June 19 • Author: Paul Rabbitts. Published by Historic England. Price £25.00 (paperback). From: Amazon and other outlets.
Rankings
| # | Band | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory | 1,658.33 |
| 2 | Brighouse and Rastrick | 976.16 |
| 3 | Eikanger-Bjørsvik | 944.55 |
| 4 | Valaisia Brass Band | 668.92 |
| 5 | Black Dyke | 557.03 |
| 6 | Tredegar | 542.08 |
| 7 | Whitburn | 521.24 |
| 8 | Foden's | 491.86 |
| 9 | Grimethorpe Colliery | 447.26 |
| 10 | Flowers | 332.89 |
Vision
2018 Black Dyke Festival
June 3 • Iwan Fox enjoys the music making on show at the 2018 Black Dyke Festival at Leeds Town Hall
Interview with David Childs
May 28 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to David Childs about his latest American appointment and working on the Edward Gregson Euphonium Concerto
Interview with Edward Gregson
May 28 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to composer Edward Gregson about his new Euphonium Concerto written for David Childs
Interview with Tom Davoren in Palanga
April 8 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Tom Davoren to find out more about his trip to Palanga with Filton Concert Band - and about the venue that may host the 2020 European Champinships.
What's on
Black Dyke Band - Wigan with Russ Abbott
Sunday 24 June • Wigan Youth Zone, Parson's Walk, Wigan WN1 1RU
The Fairey Band -
Sunday 24 June • Subscription Rooms. George St. Stroud. GL5 1AE. United Kingdom GL51AE
Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band
Friday 29 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street Opp. RESERVED. London . W1C 2DJ W1C 2DJ
Thundersley Brass Band - TBB Summer Concert
Friday 29 June • Richmond Hall, Richmond Avenue, South Benfleet, Essex SS75HA
PEMBERTON OLD WIGAN DW BRASS BANDS - WIGAN YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Friday 29 June • Mount Zion hall. Pemberton. Wigan WN5 8DZ
Vacancies
Chinnor Silver
June 24 • We are looking for a Bb BASS and BACKROW CORNET to complete our happy progressive 2nd section band.. we rehearse in our own bandroom on a wednesday night (extra when needed) . Good book of concerts and contests planned but we keep a realistic approach,
Hungerford Town Band
June 24 • Hungerford Town Band has a vacancy for Soprano, Bb Cornet or solo horn. Our existing players players are happy to move around for the right person. Other instrumentalists are always very welcome to join our thriving community based band.
Glossop Old Band
June 24 • Due to family commitments, Glossop Old Band have an immediate vacancy for a Principal Cornet player. We are a friendly first section band with some contesting and a good mix of concerts. Rehearsals are Tuesday 8-10pm at our Band Club.
Professional Cards
Paul Andrews
Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff