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Latest edition of Brass Band World out now!

The latest edition of BBW is out now — and its packed with everything you would expect from the leading brass band magazine in the world.

BBW aPRIL
  There is so much to enjoy in April's edition of BBW Magazine

The April edition of Brass Band World magazine is now out and it's full with fantastic features, articles, reviews and interviews from around the globe…

SUBSCRIBE NOW AT:


www.brassbandworld.co.uk

EDITOR'S VIEW:


BBW Editor David Childs, highlights the campaign to raise £90,000 for life-saving treatment — which is above the NHS funding threshold — for the 26-year-old ace trombonist Stephen Sykes — also this month's BBW Castaway.

LET'S DEBATE — WHEN JUSTICE IS DONE


David Read MBE has moved from adjudicating brass bands at the highest level of competition to joining the audience and debates the validity of critique from his new vantage point.

EUROPEAN COUNTDOWN


Nicolas Bland surveys the programme of events on offer for the 40th European Brass Band Championships in Oostende, Belgium, whilst composer, Paul McGhee casts his expert eyes over the tests for the Championship and Challenge sections.

THE BBW INTERVIEW — MUSICAL POLYMATH


Chris Thomas chats to the tuba world's multi-faceted musician Les Neish.

WORLDWIDE COMPETITION COVERAGE:


BBW looks back at the last six UK Regional Championships, at which the top section test, 'Pageantry' toppled a clutch of the fancied bands.

Malcolm Wood brings coverage from the National Youth Championships, whilst Joel Collier brings news of the great strides taken at the North American Brass Band Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

REPROGRAMMING YOUR SAT NAV


'Pro' player, Marcus Reynolds offers a route to over-coming Focal Dystonia, which can devastate brass players — even those at the top of their careers.

UNIQUE VOICE


Wing Commander, Duncan Stubbs is poised to retire as Principal Director of Music, Royal Air Force.

David Childs and other luminaries pay tribute to a man who has changed the face of music in one of the UK's military services.

BRASS EDUCATION AND CAREER 'OPPS':


Chetham's specialist music school in Manchester launches Advice Auditions Week in May.

PRO PRACTICE:


What, how and when to practice with Dr. Roger Webster.

PRO PLATFORM:


David Childs enjoys a Q&A with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's principal trombonist — Simon Johnson

BBW CASTAWAY:


Katrina Marzella chats to the young trombonist, Stephen Sykes, who takes a break from his treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma to select his desert island listening.

YOUNG VOICES:

Mark Good meets the principal cornet of Hammonds Saltaire Band, Philip Varely, who collected the Best Principal Cornet Award at the recent Yorkshire Regional Championships last month.

BBW CENTRE BAND:

How the North American champion, Atlantic Brass Band, is helping to develop the brass band culture Stateside.

REVIEWS — CDS:


David Childs finds affinity with Les Neish's recent solo recording; Christopher Thomas reviews 'The Nationals 2016' CD and Thomas Dunne puts Grant Jameson's 'Genesis' into the CD player, as well as enjoys a Q&A with the American euphonium player.

MUSIC


A selection of new concert music to perform from Prima Vista Musikk and The Salvation Army Eastern Territory USA.

CONCERT REVIEWS:


Dr. Robert Childs took in the Mountbatten Festival at London's Royal Albert Hall; Christopher Thomas found the Portraits of Tibshelf evening full of imagination and concept, whilst Peter Bale enjoyed a night with The International Staff Band at Regent Hall, London.

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David Read MBE has moved from adjudicating brass bands at the highest level of competition to joining the audience and debates the validity of critique from his new vantage pointBBW

PRODUCTS:


Christopher Turner gives his verdict on The Elgar Howarth Way — 16 studies for trumpet from the Brass Wind Publications stable;

David Childs finds Yamaha's new generation Silent Brass for euphonium impressive; and Nicola Bland brings news about the Instrument Replacement Scheme just launched by Hayes Music, along with information about the 'Euro' download audio and video on the horizon from World of Sound/World of Brass.

NEWS:


Historic principal cornet appointment at Brighouse and high-profile departures at Grimethorpe; the exciting line-up for Black Dyke's June Festival is revealed, along with the 2017 Brass in Concert band and entertainment line-up.

RANKINGS:


Which band has re-entered the top 20 in April?

DIARY DATES:


What's on around the World in April and May

… AND ANOTHER THING:


John Barber and cartoonist, Nezzy, ruminate over the last will and testament of a 'Regional' judge

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Spring Festival

2027 Spring Festival test-pieces announced

October 14 • Works by Philip Sparke, Robert Redhead and Derek Bourgeois will test the aspiring British Open credentials of the competing bands at the Spring Festival next May.


Ellerby

Yorkshire Youth Band enjoys first Dance moves of new season

October 14 • A new work by composer Martin Ellerby has helped inspire the players on the Yorkshire Youth Band course.


gENEVA

Geneva launch Academy range to give long term term support to players and retailers

October 14 • The Geneva Academy Series is aimed at providing a sustainable musical future for players and retailers alike.


EBBA

EBBA drops Challenge Section in 1 year trial

October 14 • There will be no Challenge Section at the 2027 European Brass Band Championships in Montreux.


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Symphonic Brass

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Friday 16 October • Playhouse 2 . 2 Newtown street. Shaw. Oldham OL2 8NX


Tintwistle Band

October 15 • We currently have a vacancy for a 2nd horn player, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up we would love to get this seat filled! We are a second section band, and rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom in Tintwistle.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

October 13 • Could you be our next PRINCIPAL CORNET player? and the final piece of our jigsaw!. We are PROMOTED TO THE 1st SECTION in January 2027 as North West 2nd Section Champions of 2026. We are a friendly bunch, have a great mix of ages and sensible mix of jobs


St Michael's Band

October 13 • St Michael’s Band Middleton is a community based non-contesting band looking for players in all sections but particularly cornets front and back row. You’d be very welcome if you are returning to playing or indeed need band experience as a new player


Morgan Griffiths

Dip. Performance
Conductor, Peripatetic Music Teacher, Lower brass specialist


               

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