*
banner

Brass Band World August Edition now out

There are fantastic features, views, news, reviews and interviews in the world's leading monthly brass banding magazine.

BBW aUGIST
  The August Edition of Brass Band World magazine is out now

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

THE BBW INTERVIEW: CARVING HER PLACE IN HISTORY


Kathleen Gaspoz made history when she became Brighouse & Rastrick's first-ever female principal cornet.

Christopher Thomas catches up with the rising cornet star from the Swiss Alps.

VIEW FROM THE BOX


Want to win at Cheltenham?

Then read about what will impress the adjudicators in the 'box' at Cheltenham as four of the eight judges — Paul Holland, Tom Davoren, Glyn Williams and Stan Lippeatt tell competitors what they will be listening for...

PRO PRACTICE


Besson Artist, trumpet/cornet extraordinaire, adjudicator and educator, Roger Webster, considers the pros and cons of positive critique versus criticism and the negative impact that the latter can have on players in this month's Pro Practice.

BBW CASTAWAY


Newly appointed solo horn of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Helen Varley, reveals her desert island listening to Katrina Marzella.

LET'S DEBATE: 'BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING'


Leading composer, Liz Lane, debates the glass ceiling for women in the music business and uncovers opinion that UK brass banding still lags behind the continent when it comes to appointing female players, conductors and composers.

PRO PLATFORM


David Childs interviews Christopher Parkes — Principal horn of the Swedish Radio Symphony and John Wilson orchestras, Superbrass and Fine Arts Brass member, Guildhall School of Music and Drama tutor, and former solo tenor horn with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

TRIBUTE


Black Dyke baritone soloist, Katrina Marzella, paints a portrait of her friend — the teacher, composer and arranger, Bruce Fraser, who died in February this year, but whose music and teaching touched the lives of many.

In addition, conductor of the Salvation Army's International Staff Band, Dr. Stephen Cobb, pays tribute to James Williams MBE — the man and musician whose influence touched so many musicians inside and outside The Salvation Army.

SLIDING AROUND GLASGOW


Mark Good reports on Scotland's four-day festival celebrating the virtues of the trombone.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE


Band has broken up for the summer, but that doesn't mean letting your musical skills gather dust for two months!

Rita Arendz, Les Neish, Ian Clowes and David Childs report from the first summer schools to happen this year in Canada, Switzerland, Holland and the USA

TIPPING POINT FOR UK


Brass Bands England recently appointed a new interim CEO — Andrew Coe.

He comes with a 'big ticket' CV in international tennis and motor sport, but how realistic are his intentions for the UK brass band community and BBE, which reaches its 50th birthday next year — Nicola Bland finds out.

YOUNG VOICES


Mark Good meets Whitburn's euphonium star, Scott Kerr.

WILLEBROEK RULE THE WORLD


WMC Kerkrade in Holland takes place every four years and commences with a weekend of brass band contests, including a top section battle for World rule, this time won by Belgium.

Johan Jansen reports from the 18th edition, originally founded in 1949 after a high-impact concert in Kerkrade by Carlton Main Frickley.

BBW CENTRE BAND


Valaisia to fly Swiss flag with pride at British Open.

DREAM TEAM AT TULLIS RUSSELL


John Wallace CBE returns to his boyhood band as Principal Musical Director and shares with Nicola Bland his fresh vision for the organisation's future.

BRASS EDUCATION


Nicola Bland reports on all the latest developments at the Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Kathleen Gaspoz made history when she became Brighouse & Rastrick's first-ever female principal cornet. Christopher Thomas catches up with the rising cornet star from the Swiss AlpsBBW

NEWS


Butlin's to rock with high-octane acts, youth and education to shine at Brass in Concert, and Euro 2018 set-work composers revealed.

PREVIEW — FRESH HORIZONS FOR SOPRANO CORNET


Nicola Bland catches up with of Cory's ace soprano, Steve Stewart ahead of the British Open release of his debut solo CD — Over the Horizon.

REVIEWS: CDS


Thomas Dunne reviews BBW's CD of the Month, Vox, featuring Dutch euphonium star, Robbert Vos, whilst David Thornton reviews 'some gorgeous playing' on Joe Cook's new release, and Chris Thomas takes in DVD and CD Highlights from the European Championships 2017 — 'a compelling retrospective of a fascinating weekend of music-making.'

CONCERT REVIEWS


James Davis savours 'world-class' Foden's on the Isle of Man, Andrew Baker enjoys Sandy Smith's 'innovative' Tubular Brass show at the RNCM, Alan Jenkins is blown away to musicians from four different Continents at the Black Dyke Festival, and Brenden Wheeler witnessed history in the making as the Queensbury outfit 'rocked out' on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage.

PRODUCTS


James Andrews gives his verdict on Seán Hooper's Samba for Schools book, Black Dyke's Zoe Hancock tells readers why she has switched to the new rose gold bell Bach Stradivarius Flugel Horn, and Alliance soprano mouthpieces are put through their paces by soprano star, Paul Richards.

RANKINGS


New World Champions Willebroek leapfrog Black Dyke and Eikanger to take a podium place in the Brass Stats World Rankings.

DIARY DATES


What's on around the World in August and September.

… AND ANOTHER THING


John Barber and cartoonist, Nezzy, get ready for the new contest season by brushing up on rules of engagement, set by the Co-operative Higher Authority Institute of Narcissistic Stewards Against Warmups (CHAINSAW)!

Subscribe now

ACCESS RIGHT NOW BY SUBSCRIBING TO BBW DIGITAL — THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE — NOW ON SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS — ONLY £30 WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD!



OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINTED MAGAZINE DELIVERED BY POST: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)

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    


Ammal Bhatia

4BR Monday interview with Ammal Bhatia

January 12 • We talk to 26-year-old Ammal Bhatia, a Leverhulme Scholar completing his Masters in Conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who will compete in the NYBBGB Conductor Competition in Tidworth on the weekend.


4BR Podcast

4BR Review podcast — RNCM International Brass Band Festival

January 12 • Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas will be joined by RNCM International Brass Band Festival Artistic Director Dr David Thornton this Wednesday to focus on the forthcoming showcase event in Manchester.


Peter Moore

Moore spotlight in Birmingham, Barcelona and London

January 12 • Peter Moore will be joining forces with various friends and ensembles for a busy January series of performances — including an exciting Trivergence of troms.


Philip Jones

Philip Jones celebration in London

January 12 • Leading student brass ensembles will celebrate the life and legacy of the iconic trumpet player Philip Jones.


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


Otley Brass Association

January 11 • Tenor Trombone Player needed for 6 week holiday cover with Otley Brass Band.. Practice is Tuesday nights 7.30-9.30pm at Otley Courthouse, LS21 3AN


Cambrian Brass

January 11 • We are a friendly, inclusive and hard-working brass band, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. We are particularly keen to fill our Soprano Cornet, Flugelhorn, Tenor Horn, Euphonium and EEb Bass positions.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

January 8 • Following our promotion to the 2nd section we are looking for a percussionist to do a bit of bing bonging on the timps for the regionals in March. We are a lovely band - everyone says so - so please get in touch. Rehearsals Weds from 1930 in Putney.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd