*
banner

4BR Monday Interview with Simon Dobson

4BR talks to the Ivors Award winning composer following the announcement that his work, 'The Turing Test' performed by Valaisia Brass Band has been voted the 'Favourite Own Choice Performance' at the European Championships since 2003.

Dobson
  The award winning composer has been branching out in new musical directions

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

4BR catches up with Cornish composer Simon Dobson to talk about his award winning 'The Turing Test' composition and its inspiration, his new chill-wave CD 'MDCNL' and how he working with bees to create unique AI music...

Simon reveals both how honoured and humbled he is with the latest recognition for the work inspired by the life and work of 'The father of modern computing' as well as how he came about moving in a totally new compositional direction for the release of his latest electronic music CD.

And to complete the 'Turing' link he also speaks about the incredible pollination project he is involved in with the local community in Plymouth — one that uses a form of musical AI that create music from the algorithms created by the waggle dances of bees...

Enjoy more:

You can enjoy Valaisia's winning performance at:
Check out Valaisias winning performance here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ntvb-3CrZU

And watch the European Brass Band Association streamed footage at: https://wobplay.com/site/view?asset_id=GVPYD9by5n...

Enjoy a taster of MDCNL at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmhTMLtdMJI

Purchase MDCNL at:
https://lorecordings.bandcamp.com/album/mdcnl

https://everythingisnoise.net/premieres/with-the-warmest-of-voices-simon-dobson-asks-us-to-be-quiet-please/?fbclid=IwAR2GUCqWE_OnP9pDRYapYW9rmj7siyURr9yGJ7AdJTscUL-xQL_eeqfywy8

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    


Spring Festival

Change in judging teams for 2027 Spring Festival

November 5 • A conflict of interest sees Dr Robert Childs step down from his Grand Shield adjudication appointment, with Col David Barringer now taking Senior Cup roll.


siddis brass

Live Wobplay coverage of Siddis Championships

November 5 • You can sit back and enjoy the Norwegian entertainment on offer from Stavanger on Saturday on the wobplay.com media platform.


Easington

Easington's backing to John Lewis festive advert

November 5 • Your can hear the sound of a brass ensemble from Easington Colliery Band on this year's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert.


NYBBGB

Excellent response to NYBBGB Composer Competition

November 5 • Lots of interest, but there is still plenty of time to get entries in for the John Gillam Young Composer Competition run by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 8 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross. Oldham OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Hade Edge Band

November 5 • Hade Edge Band are looking to recruit Front Row Cornets, position negotiable to complete our line up for next years Area contest. The band rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday at 7.45pm till 9.45pm in our fantastic purpose built bandroom.


Hade Edge Band

November 5 • Hade Edge Band are looking to recruit horns to complete our line-up for the Area contest next year. The position is negotiable. Hade Edge are a friendly second band who rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday at 7.45 till 9.45 in a fantastic purpose built bandroom


Pilling Jubilee Silver Band

November 5 • Pilling Band (ambitious 3rd Section Band North West) are seeking a few final players to complete their team under new MD Mark Vause. We are looking for 2 good front row cornet players, baritone, Eb/Bb bass and tuned percussion.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd