The August edition of the world's leading magazine for brass bands and instrumentalists, BRASS BAND WORLD, is now out and packed with plenty of musical interest and debate to enjoy, and available in print, as well as digital formats for smart 'phones, tablets and desktops.

EDITOR'S VIEW

David Childs reflects on the summer months and looks for inspiration — and there's plenty to keep us all focused with the approaching autumn contesting season.

'NOSE AHEAD' AT CHELTENHAM FINALS

Seventy UK bands will converge on Cheltenham Racecourse's Centaur venue to vie for top UK Section 1 — 4 honours in the first leg of the National Finals on 14 and 15 September.

The judging 'boxes' are teaming with the combined experience of 11 adjudicators, four of which reveal what will nose ahead!

MUSICAL DYNASTY

Dr. Ronald W. Holz surveys the British Open test-piece and latest significant contribution to brass band repertoire by Peter Graham — 'Dynasty', which evokes the Mortimer era.

NEWS

Butlin's Mineworkers Open National Festival reveals a mega family entertainment package for the 2020 event; World by World of Brass and 4barsrest are to live-streamed the British Open worldwide and bands roll-up for Brass Bands England's nationwide Bandsafe training roadshow.

MENTAL HEALTH

Brass player, writer and conductor, Tabby Kerwin, spearheads the awkward conversations about mental health in brass banding, highlighting the impact of its competitive aspect on musicians and suggesting action for positive change.

MISSIONARY MAN

Celebrating his 70th year, Professor John Wallace OBE shows no sign of slowing his zeal for all things brass banding and chats to Mark Good about rediscovering composing, inspiring the next generation of young players and working with the Fife band where it all began for him.

RETROSPECTIVE

Thomas Dunne reports on the newest event for banding's elite division, the inaugural BrassPass.tv Band of the Year Contest.

HISTORICAL GEMS

In the first of a new three-part series on historical gems of the brass band repertoire, Professor Stephen Allen begins his examination with 'Muse of Fire: Overture Henry V' by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

EDUCATION

A Scottish brass player starts the legal process to bring a judicial review about whether it's unlawful to charge for instrument tuition in Scottish state schools, plus Yamaha's Neo Brass ensemble and Foden's with Smith-Watkins Artist, Mike Lovatt, and Superbrass reach out to inspire the next generation of players, and the latest career 'opps' with the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force

CENTRE BAND

The cooperation band rebrands and rebuilds for future success.

HOW THE 'PROS' DO IT!

Helen Williams chats to 24-year-old Josh Cirtina about his recent appointment as bass trombone with the Royal Philharmonic and his tips for young players in Pro Platform, while Dr. Robert Childs offers advice about the tricky issue of accompanying soloists as a conductor.

Brass player, writer and conductor, Tabby Kerwin, spearheads the awkward conversations about mental health in brass banding, highlighting the impact of its competitive aspect on musicians and suggesting action for positive changBBW

REVIEWS

Reviews of the latest CDs to hit the worldwide market and recent concerts, including Black Dyke at the BrassPass.tv Band of the Year Gala Concert, Tullis Russell Band and John Wallace at East Neuk Festival, plus a fitting and fun tribute concert to late, great Mark Freeh by Imperial Brass.

STILL BEATING

The final part in the three-part serialisation of Richard Evan's new book finds him 'dressed for success at Brass in Concert!

CASTAWAY

Brass Bands England's CEO, Kenneth Crookston, sets sail solo for his offbeat desert island picks!

DIARY DATES

It might be summer recess, but there's plenty happening across the World and a full run-down on the 167th British Open and Section 1 — 4 National Finals at Cheltenham in the UK.

RANKINGS

Cory heads for a century at the top and statistical analyst, Gordon Simpson of brassstats.com, surveys the bands facing relegation from the British Open

AND ANOTHER THING…

Resident wit and cartoonist, Rob Nesbitt, rounds off the edition with a wry look at banding's characters

ACCESS

ACCESS THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE MONTHLY BRASS MAGAZINE BY SUBSCRIBING AT: www.brassbandworld.co.uk

PRINTED EDITION DELIVERED BY POST TEN EDITIONS: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (rest of the World).

DIGITAL EDITION FOR SMART 'PHONES, TABLETS AND DESKTOPS ONLY £30 FOR TEN EDITIONS, WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD!

DIGITAL AND PRINTED EDITION COMBINED TEN EDITIONS: £55 (UK); £83 (Europe); £96 (rest of World) SAVING 50% ON THE DIGITAL EDITION!