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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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www.brassbandworld.co.uk

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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Woolston Band on the rise again

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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.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

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