*
banner

Bolsover advent entertainment: No.1 Skelmanthorpe

Highlights from the 2019 Bolsover Festival of Brass — with a reminder of how Skelmanthorpe Band under Martin Heartfield took the top section honours...

Advent
  It's Skelmanthorpe Band behind the first Bolsover Advent Calendar window.

4BR will be opening an advent calendar window each day to be able to look back and enjoy the entertainment provided by the competitors at the 2019 Bolsover Festival of Brass.

There will be something different very different at times from what was a memorable day of playing at the Heritage High School in Clowne in October 2019.

Championship winners

So we may as well start off with the band that took the Championship Section title in fine fashion — Skelmanthorpe led by Martin Heartfield.

They were pitted against 15 rivals, but caught the fancy of adjudicator Alan Morrison with a neatly contrasted programme, played with confident panache to secure the £750 first prize, as well as the 'Viewers Award' and 'Most Entertaining Performance' accolade.

Enjoy

So sit back and enjoy Matthew Hall's 'Activate' and 'Legends of Cyfarthfa', followed by their outstanding tenor horn soloist, Laura Brown, who completed the haul of silverware by winning the 'Best Soloist' prize for a wonderful rendition of the Hoagy Carmichael classic, 'Stardust'.

They rounded things off with 'Romany Fire Dance' and the finale from 'To Boldly Go' by Peter Graham to claim the tile with playing that Alan described as "a joy to listen to".

Tune in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR86IhJOVyo

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    


Van looy

Van Looy ready for Bourgeois challenge

January 23 • The Belgian euphonium star will showcase one of the most fearsome concertos for the instrument at the RNCM Festival with Welsh Champion, Tredegar.


Concord Brass Band

4BR Friday interview with Concord Brass Band

January 22 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Steffen Maersk of the Danish National Champion as they get ready for their RNCM International Brass Band Festival debuts this weekend.


Meadeuphs

Euph and baritone prelude to RNCM Festival

January 22 • The RNCM Euphonium & Baritone Ensemble will provide the musical aperitif for the weekend of concert performances and discussions in Manchester.


Yorkshire Youth Band

Yorkshire Youth set for RNCM showcase

January 22 • The Yorkshire Youth Brass Band are ready to make a memorable mark at this weekend's RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


Regent Hall Concerts - The January Band

Friday 23 January • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


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


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

January 23 • Cleethorpes Band are recruiting a Musical Director. . We seek a leader with brass band experience who can motivate and develop players. A charismatic individual who can shape and deliver concert programmes to be enjoyed by both players and audience.


East of England Co-Op Band

January 21 • PRINCIPAL CORNET - East of England Coop Band. We are a friendly, motivated, and ambitious 1st Section brass band, who under our MD Mark Ager, are keen to progress into the Championship Section. We rehearse Monday evenings, 7:30-10pm in Ipswich


British Airways Brass Band

January 21 • British Airways clubs band currently has trombone seat vacancies. . Friendly non contesting band based in Heston, South West London near to Heathrow Airport.


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd