*
banner

Recalling Ratby's National heroics

4BR catches up with Mareika Gray to talk about Ratby Co-operative's remarkable fifth place finish at the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall — one that came in just a three week period of preparation.

Ratby
  Mareika Gray leading Ratby Co-operative at the Albert Hall

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

4BR Editor Iwan Fox talks to Mareika Gray to look back on a truly remarkable personal and banding performance at the Royal Albert Hall last weekend.

Not only did Mareika become the first female conductor to lead a band to a top-six finish at the event, Ratby secured a superb fifth place after accepting the invitation to compete just three weeks before the contest took place.

Mareika talks about how it all came about...

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    


British Open

British Open live-stream

August 24 • The 2026 British Open Championship will be live-streamed around the banding globe — so make sure you don't miss a note of the action.


Jeju

Result: 2026 Jeju International Brass & Percussion Competition

August 24 • French euphonium player Tewinn Spiess claims the bi-annual Jeju International Euphonium title.


New South Wales

Results: 2026 New South Wales State Championships

August 24 • Willoughby City Band regains the State title with section wins for Warringah Concert Brass, Newcastle PCYC Band, Waratah Brass Academy, Willoughby Youth Brass and Warringah Youth Brass.


NYBBGB

National Youth ambassadors find new audience in lost oasis

August 24 • The 40 strong Ambassador Band of the NYBBGB entertained the crowds in a lost oasis in the heart of London.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band

August 18 • Putney and Wimbledon Band are looking for a percussionist, ideally tune although the ability to play an anvil is an absolute must! We play exciting music with lots of percussion so there's plenty to keep you occupied.


Mark Wilkinson


Cornet Soloist, Teacher, Adjudicator, Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd