*
banner

Brabbins prize to be claimed by conducting talent

The opportunity to work alongside Martyn Brabbins at the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain is up for grabs — and you can enjoy the competitive action too.

Brabbins
  The winner will have the opportunity to work alongside Martyn Brabbins

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) is hoping that its first major project of 2022 will see brass band fans take the opportunity to come along and support the organisation.

The final of the Weston Conductor's Competition will be held on Saturday 29th January at De Montfort School in Evesham.

Contenders

Six contenders will look to claim the opportunity to work as an Associate Conductor alongside Martyn Brabbins, the Musical Director English National Opera on the Summer Residential Course of the NYBBGB at Taunton School between the 30th July and 6th August.

The winner will also conduct a work at the end of course concert as well as receive a fee of £500.

The six conductors will be given 20 minutes to work on one of three classic brass band marches — 'Mephistopheles', 'Knight Templar' or 'The Cossack' to impress the adjudication panel of Dr Robert Childs, Capt Sam Hairsine RM and Martyn Brabbins himself.

The finalists will work on three compositions — Eric Ball's 'Resurgam', Philip Sparke's 'Music for a Festival' and Peter Graham's 'Shine as the Light'4BR

Finalists

The trio of finalists chosen will work on three compositions — Eric Ball's iconic 'Resurgam', Philip Sparke's lively 'Music for a Festival' and Peter Graham's concert finisher 'Shine as the Light'.

Come along

The action starts at 10.00am with the result being announced at around 4.30pm.

De Montfort School
Four Pools Road
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 1DG

Tickets: £5.00
https://www.nybbgb.org.uk/event/nybbgb-conductors-competition

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    


BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Climb every mountain

Wright & Round: Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Rodgers & Hammerstein arr. Philip Harper)

August 25 • You simply can't beat a belting classic from Julie Andrews...


bRASS IN cOCNERT

Brass in Concert Championship sold out

August 25 • There is not a seat left to be filled in the hall for the 49th Brass in Concert Championship this year.


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.


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.


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd