*
banner

British Army Brass Band makes Major return

The British Army Brass Band will be 're-introduced' with a brilliant set of Major attractions.

Army
  Ailsa Russell and Christian Dullea will be the featured soloists in the concert.

The British Army Brass Band (BABB) has announced its return to duty with a special re-introductory concert on 16th May at The Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks in London (7.00pm).

The Major

The band will deliver a programme of contemporary and classic brass band works interspersed with featured solo features from Ailsa Russell (Cory) and Christian Dullea (Desford).

It will also feature the premiere of 'Fanfare for Parkes', a composition dedicated to the legendary Major Peter Parkes, a former Director of Music, Grenadier Guards and written by the current staff arranger at The Band of the Grenadier Guards, Ian Shepherd.

Love of brass

BABB was founded back in 2007 by two Army Bandmasters, David Barringer and Chris King.

Their love for the brass band genre and the recognition of like minded 'banders' within the Army gave rise to the formation of a brass band made up of players across all bands of the Army, Regulars and Reservists.

The BABB musicians gave up their off duty time to perform in concerts across the country at high profile contesting events and even recorded a CD, 'Top Brass'.

The re-introduction of BABB is testament to the desire of Army musicians across all Army bands to perform high quality brass band repertoireMajor Stewart Halliday

Desire

Officer Commanding, Major Stewart Halliday told 4BR: "The re-introduction of BABB is testament to the desire of Army musicians across all Army bands to perform high quality brass band repertoire.

The concert of the 16th May is an announcement that BABB is back with our aim to delight our audiences."

Major Halliday will be joined by Captain Brenden Wheeler in conducting the concert.

Major Halliday added: "Brenden has a natural feel for conducting brass musicians. He really connects with them and gets the absolute best out of their playing."

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    


Yorkshire Area

Yorkshire announces adjudication line-up

October 17 • The adjudicators that will make the all important decisions at the 2026 Yorkshire Regional Championships have been announced.


SiddisBrass

SIDDIS announces line-up of bands and judges

October 17 • 62 bands will compete at Stavanger Konserthus for the SIDDIS Entertainment Championships.


Shirley Band

Howe to lead Shirley Band

October 17 • Kieron Howe has been appointed as the new Musical Director of Shirley Band.


Desford

Desford reaching wider audience following National win

October 16 • The wider public media have been keen to broadcast the news of Desford's memorable National Championship victory.


Regent Brass - Brett Baker

Friday 17 October • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), 275 Oxford Street, London WC1 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Oxted Brass Band - Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)

Saturday 18 October • St John’s, Hurst Green, Kent RH8 9EA


Hathersage Band

October 17 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) 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.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player 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.


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd