*
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    


Stevenage

London & SC Area line-ups confirmed

February 21 • The line-up of bands, conductors, judges and schedule are confirmed for the 2026 London & Southern Counties Area Championships in Stevenage next month.


mUSIC

Wallace spirit maintains free music demands on Scottish politicians

February 21 • A Music Manifesto for Scotland published by the Music Education Partnership Group aims to keep the commitment to free music tuition at the forefront of future political commitments.


Welsh Open

Welsh contest season set for entertaining opener

February 21 • There will be a packed day of music making on show in Newport on Sunday as the contesting season in Wales kicks-off with a cross border entertainment battle.


Rooms4groups

Success at the Areas? Then make sure you call rooms4groups

February 21 • If you claim a qualification place for Cheltenham or London over the next few weeks, then make sure you get in touch with the hotel specialists for your National Final needs.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


St Albans Brass Band

February 19 • TUNED PERCUSSION PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk


St Albans Brass Band

February 19 • Bb BASS PLAYER Wanted. St Albans Band. Rehearsals Wednesdays 8 to 10pm. Varied programme of concerts, gigs and civic events throughout the year. Friendly, welcoming brass band. Experienced players and returners welcome. www.stalbansband.co.uk


Crewe Brass

February 18 • We are looking for a CORNET player (position negotiable) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Sandy Smith


Conductor, teacher, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd