*
banner

Become an acrobat for Sykes

Appeal closes in on halfway target thanks to a great new play and pledge initiative!

Sykes
  Save Stephen Campaign has received another major boost with a great fun initiative — so get acrobatic bones out

The fund raising campaign for that has been set up to help trombone player Stephen Sykes is rapidly closing in on the halfway mark of its target of £90,000 — just 9 days after it was launched.

The latest boost has come with the wonderfully whacky 'The Acrobat Challenge' set up by fellow trombonist Jayne Murrill and friends — but which to open to anyone on any instrument.

Take up the challenge

All you have to do is take up the challenge of playing the first two phrase of JA Greenwood's famous solo accompanied by a pledge to the 'Save Stephen' gofundme appeal.

You do however have to make sure you post your effort — which can be good, bad, ugly, bizarre, fun, bonkers, surreal etc on-line, so everyone can see you doing it, and nominate a few others to follow your act of surreal kindness and complete self-deprecation.

Have a go

Have a go — some brilliant supporters have already done it. There is even a pdf to download to play the music!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1337691529600543/requests/?notif_t=group_r2j¬if_id=1491223740728146

https://www.gofundme.com/StephenSykes

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    


Linz

2026 European Championships set-works announced

January 31 • A quartet of works by Austrian composers will be heard as the test-pieces in Linz.


Vary

Voice of Trumpet awarded Leonard Bernstein accolade

January 31 • French trumpet soloist Lucienne Renaudin Vary claims one of the most prestigious solo performer awards


The Fife Festival

Entries open for Fife Brass Band Festival

January 31 • Bands wishing to showcase their entertainment talents in Fife need to get their entries in.


Banding

Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 24

January 31 • The podcast with a North Walian banding accent...


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


Tintwistle Band

January 29 • We have a vacancy for a soprano cornet player, ideally able to join us long-term, but we are also looking to fill this position to compete in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We enjoy all year round concerts, contests,and social events


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

January 28 • Principal Cornet vacancy after March 2026. Our current player has asked for a very special 80th birthday present, a new player so that he can retire!. . Flexible rehearsal arrangements to support a good band - home life balance


Chinnor Silver

January 27 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (2nd) 11 am and we would welcome any players who would like to join us for a friendly,relaxed rehearsal.. All abilities are welcome with a liking for cake and coffee. Blowing with us doesnt impact your no1 band


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd