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World Rankings: October update

Historic double sends Foden's to the top of the rankings.

Foden's in action at the RAH
 

Foden’s returns to the rankings top spot for the first time in eight years following completion of the band’s historic ‘double’ of British Open and National titles in London last weekend, and looks to have a very good chance of retaining the coveted number one position at the end of the year.

Top 10 bands 1. Foden's 2. Black Dyke 3. Cory 4. Brighouse & Rastrick 5. Fairey 6. Tredegar 7. Leyland 8. Grimethorpe 9. Co-operative Funeralcare 10. Tongwynlais Temperance

Black Dyke’s disappointing 9th place at the Royal Albert Hall means it can’t unseat Foden’s, but Cory’s appearance at November’s Brass in Concert Championship gives the Welsh band a fighting chance finishing as the world’s leading contesting band for the sixth year in succession.

Early indications are that a top-two finish there should be enough, but there will be plenty of fine bands there trying to stop the 2008 champion!

The other contests held since the last update were:

New South Wales Championships — won by St. Mary's Band Club;
Exmouth Festival of Brass — won by St. Pinnock;
Hardraw Scar — won by Hade Edge;
Welsh Miners Welfare — won by Melingriffith (City of Cardiff) 2;
Doctor Martin Trust Entertainment Contest — won by Reg Vardy;
Wychavon Festival — won by Tredegar;
Dronfield Contest — won by Dronfield;
Swiss Open — won by Treize Etoiles;
Cornish Brass Band Championships — won by St. Dennis;
SCABA — Crawley — won by Wantage Silver 'A';
West Wales Festival — won by Burry Port;
Fleetwood Contest — won by Rainford;
Fife Charities — won by Unison Kinneil;
Bolsover Festival of Brass — won by EYMS;
Pogson Bray — won by Clifton and Lightcliffe;
Northern Ireland Championships — won by 1st Old Boys Association Silver.

To view all the ranked bands, go to:

www.4barsrest.com/rankings/default.asp

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udi

Results: 2026 Dutch National Championships

October 23 • There are victories for Chr. Brass Band Excelsior, Brass Band De Bazuin B, Koperensemble de Waldsang and UDI Brass Band Oosternijkerk in Utrecht.


Black Dyke

Varley heads from Hammonds to Queensbury

October 23 • Philip Varley joins Black Dyke Band on solo cornet from Yorkshire rivals.


Dutch National Championships

Countdown to Dutch National Championships

October 21 • Go to our special live page of coverage from the 2026 Dutch National Championships which start at the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht this afternoon.


Hands up

Audition call for Scottish Youth

October 21 • Young players in Scotland are being encouraged to audition for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 23 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Redbridge Brass Band

Saturday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - Aireborough Rotary Club Annual Charity Concert

Sunday 25 October • Yeadon Town Hall, High Street, Yeadon LS19 7PP


Dobcross Silver Band - Tintwistle Band

Sunday 25 October • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Cliff Hardie Big Band

Thursday 29 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are currently looking for a kit player to help complete our team. We are a 4th section contesting Band, with a busy period coming up, and would like to fill the position as soon as possible.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We currently have vacancies for 2 tenor trombones. As a 4th section contesting Band, we have a diary filling up with various engagements to keep us busy, and therefore keen to fill the positions.


Linthwaite Band

October 24 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting Band with a vacancy for a cornet player, position negotiable. Our diary is filling up with various engagements, so we are keen to fill the position.


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

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