*
banner

International line-up for conducting final

Four high class conductors look to add a brass band title to their impressive CVs.

BBC
  The final will be broadcast on Sunday 27th June

The Brass Band Conductors' Association (BBCA) has announced the names of the four musicians who will compete in the final of their international Conductor's Competition.

33 video performances were received from across the world with the entrants conducting a wide range of musical ensembles and a varied choice of musical genre.

£500 prize

Four finalists have now selected to compete for the £500 first prize of the organisation's flagship competition.

It will be judged by Paul Holland, MD of the Flowers Band, Brendan Breslin, a former winner of the competition and current BBCA Irish Representative, and Bjarte Engeset, the critically acclaimed Music Director of the Royal Norwegian Navy Orchestra who has worked with both Bjørsvik Brass and Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag.

Alan Duguid BBCA panel member told 4BR: "The field of entrants has been of an exceptionally high standard with videos demonstrating great conducting skills across a wide range of ensembles and musical genres.

The entries were so strong we could not limit the final to just three, so have selected four exceptional candidates to go through to the final round."

Finalists:

The finalists are:

Alexander Webb — an Assistant Conductor for BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the current Music Director at Poulton-Le-Fylde Band. He previously won the Best Conductor award at the UniBrass Championships.

CJ Wu has conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra as well as the Bucharest Royal Camerata Orchestra, South Bohemian Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra and Brasov Philharmonic. She has also been invited to be part of international masterclasses led by Riccardo Muti, Daniele Gatti and Marin Alsop.

Denis Salvini is the principal conductor of Orchestra Fiati di Valle Camonica. He has achieved success in competitions with many bands and ensembles across Europe and is a founder and board member of DIBA (Italian Band Directors Association).

Gaddiel Dombrowner has held posts including that of Principal guest conductor of the Kunming International Philharmonic (China), and the Music Fest Perugia (Italy) conducting faculty. He has also gained success in other conducting competitions and has been featured in concerts with a number of national orchestras, most recently the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra.

The entries were so strong we could not limit the final to just three, so have selected four exceptional candidates to go through to the final roundBBCA

Final broadcast

The adjudication of the final will be broadcast on Sunday 27th June (2.00pm)

For more information go to: https://www.bbe.org.uk/what-we-do/brass-band-conductors-association

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    


Swedish

Results: 2025 Swedish National Championships

November 9 • Gota Brass make it eight wins in a row as they secure the Swedish title yet again


Paul Mealor

Mealor provides 12 answers

November 9 • Composer Paul Mealor reveals more about his life, work and future plans — including his latest brass band world premiere.


Webster

Webster passes on expertise to brass band students

November 9 • Roger Webster recently added to the student appeal of studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.


Varley

Varley takes decision to end Grimethorpe tenure

November 9 • Grimethorpe's respected solo horn player Helen Varley has stepped down from playing with the Yorkshire band.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 7 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Remembrance Concert

Sunday 9 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Delph Band - Remembrance Sunday Concert

Sunday 9 November • Delph Band Club. Lawton Square, . Delph, . Oldham OL3 5DT


Regent Hall Concerts - Five By 5 Trumpet Ensemble

Friday 14 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Contest: 48th Brass in Concert

Saturday 15 November • The Gladhous International Centre for Music, St Mary's Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR


Tintwistle Band

November 9 • Attention soprano cornet players!. Tintwistle band (famed for the number 1 hit single Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs!) are looking for a soprano cornet player!. We are 2nd section, enjoy all year round concerts/contests, and band social events.


Harlow Brass Band

November 8 • We have vacancies for CORNETS, TROMBONES, 2ND HORN AND PERCUSSION. We are a welcoming, non contesting band who organising their own Spring and Christmas concerts and enjoy playing at local events throughout the year.


West Wycombe Brass Band

November 8 • West Wycombe Brass Band are looking for players. Horn,Flugel and cornets. Non contesting friendly band with sensible engagement list. Wednesday rehearsal 7.45-9.45pm in own hall. Come along for a blow, all welcome.


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd