*
banner

Landmark broadcast for Cottier

The great Ian Cottier will notch up 40 years of bringing 'Time for Brass' to the airwaves for brass band lovers from Douglas to Dunedin to enjoy...

Ina
  Ian Cottier has presented Time for Brass for 40 years

There will be a wonderful 40th anniversary radio broadcast to enjoy this week (9.00pm on Monday 7th September) when the great Ian Cottier celebrates the landmark achievement with his latest 'Time for Brass' show on Manx Radio.

Worldwide

Ian, now 84 years of age, has long been a warm and welcoming voice in support of the brass band movement — and not only to the 85,000 people on the Isle of Man ever since he first put a recording of Edward Gregson's 'Prelude for an Occasion' on his turntable at Broadcasting House in Douglas all those years ago.

Thanks to advent introduction of new technology, such as the online radio player on the internet his programme can now be enjoyed across the world — with listeners regularly e-mailing him their requests from the furthest corners of the banding globe.

Requests

The 40th anniversary programme has already been recorded and was a special requests programme which Ian enjoys.

He told 4BR: "I try to include something for everyone — from serious works to soloists and easy listening items and I enjoy every minute of it.

I do 52 programmes a year so I've lost count exactly how many I've done or how many tracks have been played, but it's still wonderful to be able to provide brass band music every week to an audience that enjoys it."

I try to include something for everyone — from serious works to soloists and easy listening items and I enjoy every minute of itIan Cottier

Careers

4BR will be catching up with Ian once again after his 40th anniversary programme has been broadcast to find out more about a man who can boast three separate but equally rewarding 'careers' as he calls them — from a school headmaster and deck officer on tall ships to iconic brass band presenter!

Tune in

To tune into the 40th anniversary programme on Monday evening at 9.00pm, go to: https://www.manxradio.com/

FM & AM: 89; 89.5; 97.2; 103.7 & am1368

Ask you Smart Speaker for Manx Radio or download the mobile app or listen online at: https://www.manxradio.com/radioplayer/fm/

It is also available on catch up.

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    


Symphony Hall

2028 European Championships to be held in Birmingham

April 24 • EBBA to run 50th anniversary event at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.


Linz

Report & Result: 10th European Solo Championship

April 24 • Young Swiss cornet star Simon Gabriel adds to his growing list of accolades as he becomes European Solo Champion in Linz.


Stevenage

Abusive and threatening behaviour sees ban

April 24 • The London & Southern Counties Regional Championships have acted to ban a band member after abusing and threatening behaviour towards a concert hall steward.


Fleetwood contest

Fleetwood live...

April 24 • If you can't get to Linz or Fleetwood this weekend you can still just sit back and enjoy the action from the comfort of your own home.


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


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


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


City of Norwich Brass

April 23 • City of Norwich Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


David W. Ashworth

RSCM, ABBA Exec Member, NABBC PRO.
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd