*
banner

4BR Awards: 2020 Contest Performance of the Year

The winner is...

Contest Performance
  Congratulations go to Manger Musikklag for their epic contest performance win.

2020 Winner: Manger Musikklag (Midnight's Butterflies)

Manger Musikklag's brilliant performance of 'Midnight's Butterflies by Maurice Donnet-Monay (under his lepidopterist alter-ego of Lard Nygard) at the 2020 Norwegian National Championship claims the 'Contest Performance of the Year' award.

Directed by Peter Sebastian Szilvay it was as 4BR Editor Iwan Fox said on the day, "roof raising epicness".

It picked up five first choice preferences from the panel, plus two podium nominations to secure victory.

Podium finishers

The runner-up was Tredegar's superb rendition of 'A Tale As Yet Untold' which saw Ian Porthouse's band claim their second consecutive Welsh Regional title. That gained three first choice preferences plus seven podium nominations.

A fine third place went to Fountain City for their top section winning production for the Cory on-line competition. That also gained three first preference choices and three podium nominations.

There were also two first preference choices for Stavanger (Norwegian National Championships) and Black Dyke (Yorkshire Regional Championship).

Directed by Peter Sebastian Szilvay it was as 4BR Editor Iwan Fox said on the day, "roof raising epicness"4BR

Panel:


The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (Editor 4BR); Malcolm Wood (4BR Chief Contributor); Andrew Wainwright (Composer/Arranger/Graphic Designer); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Chris Thomas (Chief Contributor Brass Band World magazine/4BR contributor); Frode Rydland (EBBA Music Commission/ Bjorsvik Brass); David Hirst (Conductor/Adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (Chief contributor CU Brass); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist); Owen Melhuish (President: North Shore Brass New Zealand); Chris Wormald (Conductor/Adjudicator/Arranger); Steve Jack (photographer/4BR, BBW contributor); Stein Skopholm (Broadcaster/presenter)

Past Winners:


2019: Cory — Titan's Progress (National Championship of Great Britain)
2018: Manger Musikklag (Siddis Entertainment Championship)
2017: Eikanger Bjorsvik — Fraternity (European Championship)
2016: Cory — The Triumph of Time (British Open Championship)
2015: Cory — Spiriti (National Championship of Great Britain)
2014: Brass Band Bugermusik Luzern — Trance (Swiss National Championship)
2013: Tredegar — Arabian Nights (Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade for Brass Band) (British Open Championship)
2012: Foden's — Daphnis et Chloe (National Championship of Great Britain)
2011: Cory — Red Priest (British Open Championship)
2010: Fairey (Geneva) — Eden (English National Championship)
2009: Fountain City Brass Band — Dreams (Scottish Open Championship)
2008: Eikanger Bjorsvik — Riffs & Interludes (Norwegian Championship)
2007: Brass Band Oberosterreich — Titan's Progress (European Championship)
2006: Black Dyke — Vienna Nights (British Open Championship)
2005: Black Dyke — Journey to the Centre of the Earth (European Championship)
2004: Black Dyke — Montage (British Open Championship)
2003: Buy As You View Cory — Revelation (European Championship)
2002: Yorkshire Building Society — Concerto Grosso (European Championship)
2001: Foden's — Les Preludes (British Open Championship)

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    


Italian Brass Band

Italian Brass Band adds to conductor experience

October 11 • The Italian Brass Band has played its part in giving conductors a very different musical experience.


West Wales BBA

Report & Results: 2026 West Wales BBA Festival

October 11 • Parc & Dare continues its run of prize-winning form as Markham & District, Cwmtawe, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and Llanharan & Bryncae Brass claim the honours in Cefneithin.


Elland

All ages of playing experience showcase excellence in Elland

October 11 • There was a super day of competitive solo, duet and quartet action on show at Elland Silver Band's popular event.


Stephen Cobb

Cobb to lead Kingdom Triumphant workshop

October 11 • Dr Stephen Cobb will lead a workshop on Eric Ball's iconic work — and its open to everyone to be part of for free.


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Bedford Town Band - Autumn Concert also featuring our Academy

Saturday 10 October • Putnoe Heights Church. Putnoe Heights. Bedford MK41 8EB


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Tintwistle Band

October 11 • We are looking for a repiano cornet player to help complete the team. We are a second section band and rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle. We perform a variety of concerts and contests all year round.


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd