*
banner

Mum's the musical word in North Shore

A great concert idea in New Zealand ensures that mums are still the most important people in the world...

Alice Jones
 

The stars of today and tomorrow were recently on show in New Zealand at a special 'To Mum with Love' concert by North Shore Brass and singer Rebecca Nelson at the Birkenhead College Theatre.

The A Grade band certainly kept toes young and old tapping with a diverse programme, including 'Diggers Rest', a long lost march by renowned New Zealand composer Alex Lithgow, and a cheeky jazz solo 'Ain't She Sweet' — much to the delight of all the mums in the audience!

Highlight

One of the highlights was Rebecca's choice of 'Into the West', from the movie 'Lord of the Rings', which cleverly backed by solo piano and solo euphonium was worthy of the silver screen.

Musical Director Colin Clark also got in on the act on trumpet as he effortlessly climbed the heights in the crowd pleaser 'Jubilo Jubilo', although the show stealing act was undoubtedly 12 year old singer Alice Jones.

In her debut performance, her duet with Rebecca in Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' had the audience spellbound.

the show stealing act was undoubtedly 12 year old singer Alice Jones. In her debut performance, her duet with Rebecca in Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' had the audience spellbound4BR

Youngsters shine

North Shore Brass Understudies also showed that the band is building impressively for the future, with youngsters ranged from 5 to 11 years of age wowing everyone with a lively programme based on fun numbers.

The concert finale 'We'll Meet Again' was also a sincere invitation from Colin and Rebecca to the audience to keep their seats reserved for the next concert, whilst with a line-up featuring a number of members of the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand allied to the band's own youth commitment, they hope there will be many more successful concert ventures such as this in the years to come.

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd