*
banner

Smithills send shoppers packing

An M&S musical tradition from Smithills helps shoppers spend a little more of their hard earned cash, and the band gain extra fund raising...

Smithills
 

The Smithills School Senior Band under MD Chris Wormald carried on something of a regular Christmas tradition this year, with their regular outdoor carol playing at their local Marks & Spencer store in Bolton.

Two decades

The band has been providing festive music there for close on two decades — with many former players now regular family shoppers there!

The band performs seasonal as well as concert repertoire, and this year raised a further £6,000 to add to its fund raising coffers. After the last concert this year, the band even sped off just in time to give an evening concert back at their school.

The commitment and attitude of the players is phenomenal, as is the standard of their playing at every sessionMD, Chris Wormald

Entertaining

Chris Wormald told 4BR: “In addition to entertaining the shoppers, fundraising and meeting countless former players who know we will be outside M&S as they now go shopping themselves, nothing improves the band’s stamina like our marathon December weekends.

The commitment and attitude of the players is phenomenal, as is the standard of their playing at every session.”

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    


Marsden

Marsden able to continue to honour lost lives

November 1 • Marsden Silver Prize Band's historic bass drum has been restored from flood damage to ensure the sacrifice of those lost in conflict is never forgotten,


Eikanger

Eikanger continues link with youth

November 1 • The Siddis champion has been continuing its inspirational links with youth bands and organisations in its Bergen region.


Cornelian Parker

Perpetual Canon seen but not heard in Wellington

November 1 • Cornelia Parker's celebrated art installation is currently on display in New Zealand.


Derwent Brass

Results: 2026 Wychavon Festival of Brass

November 1 • Derwent Brass leads the entertainment prize winners in Evesham, with section titles for Fulham Brass, Staines Brass, Avonbank (Evesham) and Arrow Valley Brass.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 November • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Cambrian Brass

November 1 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band, whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or have moved to Aberystwyth for university.


Regent Brass

October 30 • Regent Brass (MD Alan Duguid) have a vacancy for Bass Trombone.. We are a friendly and progressive championship section band regularly promoting new music and actively pursues a varied performance schedule. .


Tintwistle Band

October 29 • We are looking for front row cornet players to help complete the team. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle. We perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Andreas Kratz

Mus.B (hons)
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd