*
banner

New trainees join Adjudicator Association

Four new musicians will start their professional training to become full members of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

AoBBA
  Four new trainees and one new full member have been appointed

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has announced several new trainee adjudicators as well as the appointment of a new full member.

Stephanie Binns, Darren Hawken, Alan Hobbins and Nicholas Sanders, all with experience within the brass band movement, will commence their two-year training programme in September and will be involved in live adjudications in conjunction with official AoBBA adjudicators.

Meanwhile, Gavin Saynor, who currently plays with Black Dyke Band becomes a full member with immediate effect.

Range of backgrounds

Speaking to 4BR, Martin Heartfield, Head of Trainee Adjudicator Programme commented: "We welcome the new members to the association and continue to support new applications from a range of backgrounds."

The development of the AoBBA training scheme has seen a growing number of musicians gain full membership after undertaking an extensive two year period of proactive professional development.

Professional development

AoBBA Secretary Nicholas Garman added: "The latest appointees are the first to be accepted as part of our latest recruitment drive and demonstrate our commitment to continual professional development as a core part of our work."

The latest appointees are the first to be accepted as part of our latest recruitment drive and demonstrate our commitment to continual professional development as a core part of our workAoBBA

Further information

Anyone interested in joining the Association should contact Martin Heartfield (Head of Trainee Adjudicator Programme) by email at musicbloke@aol.com .

Application forms can be downloaded on the AoBBA website: https://aobba.com/about-us/apply-for-membership/

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


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


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


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Phillip Littlemore

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd