*
banner

Besses Boys at the heart of Europe

A great concert tour by Besses Boys Band certainly took place right in the heart of Europe.

Besses Boys
  Besses Boys Band at Drielandenpunt — right in the heart of Europe

Besses Boys Band has just returned from a self-funded five-day European tour, visiting Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The band performed three concerts, including one at Drielandenpunt; the point at which Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet. Concert programmes comprised a mix of traditional standards, solo items and music from stage and screen, all of which were well received by appreciative audiences.

Standing room only

The open-air concerts were well attended, with audience numbers swelled to standing room only once the sounds of the band drifted through the many local cafes and bars.

A representative of Luxembourg City Council made a presentation to MD James Holt, thanking him for '...entertaining the people of Luxembourg with your wonderful music'.

The tour itinerary interspersed concerts with opportunities to spend time exploring the cultural and social heritage of the local area, including a visit to Cologne Cathedral and boat trip along the Rhine.

Over the past few years we've run several successful tours and this was certainly one of the best, especially with the three fabulous concertsMD, James Holt

Great opportunity

James told 4BR: "Tours such as this are a great opportunity to spend time together both on and off the concert stage. Over the past few years we've run several successful tours and this was certainly one of the best, especially with the three fabulous concerts.

My thanks go to all band members and supporters for their part in making this tour such an enjoyable success."

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    


Brisbane Exclesior

Results: 2026 Yamaha Australian National Championships

April 5 • Brisbane Excelsior regains National title with Grade honours to Willoughby Band No. 2, Whitehorse Brass, Hyde Street Youth, City of Ballarat Municipal Brass, Box Hill Academy Brass and Brisbane State High School Brass.


Principals

National Youth sets out musical principals ahead of twin concerts

April 5 • The 90 young players of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain are being out through their paces ahead of their twin Easter Course performances.


Elgar Festival

Elgar attractions gain ticket take up

April 5 • Brass Band Willebroek, Black Dyke, Foden's, Flowers, David Childs and the RBC Brass Band are attracting the crowds for their Elgar International Festival of Brass appearances.


BBCA

Pankhurst and Wainwright works to test conductor skills

April 5 • 'Ghosts of Industry' and 'Metamorphosis on Finlandia' will test the 10 semi-finalists in the Brass Band Conductors' Association Conducting Competition in June.


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet Brass Quintet

Tuesday 7 April • Charlton House. Charlton Road . London SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 3 • We have vacancies for a trombone player and a bass player. Cleethorpes Band rehearse near the seafront on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the NOE 4th section. Other players are always welcome as we may be able to switch positions around


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • . Tintwistle Band are looking for a 2nd horn player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Tintwistle Band

April 2 • Tintwistle Band are looking for an Eb bass player to help complete the team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd