*
banner

Film star banders...?

Can you come up with a better pairing than Granville Bantock and Monty Woolley as a never to be seen together film pairing? There's a prize in it if you can...

Bnatock and Woolley
 

A little bit of festive fun for you over the Christmas period.

The 4BR Editor was watching ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ this morning on BBC2 (the reason why is not worth going into further) — a pretty unmemorable 1947 black & white film starring David Niven and Cary Grant.

Lost mojo

It was about an angel (Grant) who’s festive deed of goodwill is to reconcile a bishop (Niven) with both his faith and wife (the good man, who by the looks of his spouse, has been batting well above his average, has lost both his religious and connubial mojo)

Through bleary eyes, there seemed to be an appearance by the composer Granville Bantock playing a kind hearted agnostic university history professor — although according to the end credits it was an actor called Monty Woolley.

Look at the pics above — and see what we mean? (Bantock's on the left)

Through bleary eyes, there seemed to by an appearance by the composer Granville Bantock playing a kind hearted agnostic university history professor4BR

Prize for best pairing

It got us thinking though. What other brass band personality/lookalike can be spotted in a festive film this Christmas.

There’s a late stocking full of CDs for the best unlikely pairing you can come with...

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    


Van den berg

Soli connection to come to an end

July 4 • The musical partnership between Anne Van den Berg and Soli Brass will come to an end after this year's Dutch National Championships.


wOOLSTON bRASS

Woolston Band on the rise again

July 4 • New Zealand's most successful band is getting ever closer to putting the final touches to its future home.


bRASS bAND wEEK

Brass Band Week kicks off

July 4 • Bands are being asked to show the world what they are all about during Brass Band Week.


football

Football's coming home...via Queensbury.

July 4 • Could 60 years of hurt be over for England — with a little help from Black Dyke Band...


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Air Force Squadronaires

Friday 3 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 5 July • St Alfege Church . Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Euphonium - With an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026, we're looking to fill our Solo Euphonium seat. If you're the strong player that we're interested in, please get in touch.


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Horn - We're looking to recruit a new Solo Horn player to help shape the section in our 2nd section band in South Wales. We have an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026.


Crewe Brass

July 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd