*
banner

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.

SUBSCRIBE NOW AT:


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

Subscribe

TAP IT, READ IT THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE ON SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS ONLY £30, WHEREVER IN THE WORLD YOU ARE!
OR, HAVE THE PRINTED MAGAZINE DELIVERED BY POST: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)

SUBSCRIBE NOW AT:
www.brassbandworld.co.uk

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    


Presto CDs

Presto Music Collection: Six more to add to your playlist

January 1 • New and old CDs from David Childs and John Wilson to Black Dyke and Williams Fairey.


Richard Marshall

Marshall makes Riverside connection with baton

January 1 • Richard Marshall becomes part of the conducting team spearheading NASUWT Riverside in 2026.


RWCMD

New Year financial boost for RWCM&D

January 1 • The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama gains nearly two million pounds in funding to help provide its core delivery of performance based music and drama.


Presidential role for Dame Errollyn Wallen CBE

January 1 • The critically acclaimed composer has become the new President of The Royal Society of Musicians.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


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


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tintwistle Band

January 1 • We have a vacancy for an Eb bass player to complete our bass section.. We are looking forward to competing in the 2nd section Midlands area contest in March 2026.. We rehearse Monday&Thursday 8-10pm in our own bandroom under the baton of our MD Jim Henson.


Croy Silver Band

January 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but is always happy to accommodate enthusiastic new players in any section of the band.


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 30 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. 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.


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd