*
banner

Pundits, Punters and Judges

Just how did 4BR's opinion and Steven Mead's Judging Criteria experiment pan out against the official result then...

Symphony Hall
 

Those of you wondering just how the Judging Criteria experiment panned out against the punters views of 4BR and the official adjudicators the box — these are the final results.

Official Result:

1. Tredegar
2. Fairey (Geneva)
3. Black Dyke
4. Fodens
5. Cory
6. Rothwell Temperance
7. Desford Colliery
8. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
9. Grimethorpe Colliery
10. Brighouse and Rastrick
11. Co-operative Funeralcare
12. Leyland
13. Virtuosi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
16. Whitburn
17. Kirkintilloch


4BR’s punters view:

1. Black Dyke
2. Fairey (Geneva)
3. Foden's
4. Cory
5. Grimethorpe
6. Brighouse
7. Tredegar
8. Desford
9. Rothwell
10. Leyland
11. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
12. Kirkintilloch
13. Virtuosi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Whitburn
16. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
17. Co-operative Funeralcare


Steven Mead’s Judging Criteria Experiment:

1. Black Dyke
2. Cory
3. Foden's
4. Fairey (Geneva)
5. Grimethorpe
6. Brighouse
7. Tredegar
8. Rothwell
9. Leyland
10. Desford
11. Carlton Main Frickley
12. Kirkintilloch
13. Virtusoi GUS
14. Tongwynlais Temperance
15. Whitburn
16. Co-operative Funeralcare
17. Hepworth (Cookson Homes)

What does it all mean…

4BR Editor Iwan Fox gave his usual observations on the performances in our live coverage throughout the day and opted for Black Dyke as his winner (the fourth time he has done so this season and the fourth time it has seemingly jinxed their chances of victory!), whilst placing eventual winners Tredegar in seventh.

Meanwhile, Steven Mead also had Black Dyke to win with Tredegar in seventh place, although there was some difference between the separate pundits when it came to other placings.

Agreement

4BR ended up agreeing with the three men in the box of Nigel Boddice MBE, William Relton and Ronald Holz in respect to Fairey (Geneva) in second place, Virtuosi GUS in 13th and Tongwynlais in 14th, whilst Steven also saw agreement with Virtuosi GUS and Tongwynlais.

4BR and Steven agreed on Black Dyke, Fodens, Grimethorpe, Tredegar, Carlton Main, Kirkintilloch, Virtuosi GUS, Tongwynlais Temperance and Whitburn – and we didn’t confer – honest!

Both Steven and Iwan had four of the top six but not in the same order as the judges, and nine of the top 10 but in a different order.

More coverage

So what does it all mean then?

4BR will be looking in more depth in the next few days…

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


bic

Make sure you book your best BIC seat in the house

November 11 • Your really don't want to miss out on the entertainment at Brass in Concert this year — even if you can't make it to Gateshead.


Peter Moore

Moore on Radio 3

November 11 • The acclaimed soloist can be heard performing Dani Howard's 'Trombone Concerto' on Radio 3 next week.


Youth Championships

Limited places remain for Youth Champs 2026

November 11 • There are not many places left to be filled for the 2026 National Youth Championships — so you had better be quick if you want to be a part of a great day of music making.


Perth Concert Hall

Big turn out for Scottish battles in Perth

November 11 • There will be domestic as well as cross border rivalry on show in Perth later this month for the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, Besson Scottish Open and Creative Scotland Scottish Youth Championships.


Regent Hall Concerts - Five By 5 Trumpet Ensemble

Friday 14 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Contest: 48th Brass in Concert

Saturday 15 November • The Gladhous International Centre for Music, St Mary's Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR


Delph Band - Delph Youth Band

Sunday 16 November • Denshaw Village Hall, . Ripponden Rd, . Denshaw, . Oldham OL3 5SY


Regent Hall Concerts - Trombonanza with Brett Baker and Friends

Saturday 22 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Dobross Youth Band and Dobcross Brass Monkeys

Saturday 22 November • Civic Hall . Lee Street . Uppermill . Saddleworth OL3 6AE


Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band

November 11 • Urgent:- Confident Solo Horn required to lead our horn section for our Christmas Concert and beyond. In the new year will be doing a joint concert with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, and other concerts throughout the year.


Audley Brass

November 10 • Audley Brass (First Section National Finalists 2025) are seeking an Eb BASS PLAYER as we work towards our Dickens A Christmas Carol theme concert, the Beartown Brewery Christmas party and the 2026 Area contest.


Tintwistle Band

November 9 • Attention soprano cornet players!. Tintwistle band (famed for the number 1 hit single Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs!) are looking for a soprano cornet player!. We are 2nd section, enjoy all year round concerts/contests, and band social events.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd