*
banner

Thursday interview with Andy Straiton

We are joined by the Chairperson of the UniBrass Foundation to find out more about this weekend's UniBrass Championships at Sheffield University.

UniBrass
  The Championships take place at Sheffield University this weekend.

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

It's the Thursday interview on 4BR and we are joined by Andy Straiton, the Chairperson of the UniBrass Foundation.

We've managed to catch up with him ahead of the 2022 UniBrass Championships, which this year returns to Sheffield University on Saturday 5th February.

Exuberant event

21 University and Conservatoire bands and over 650 performers will gather for what promises to be an exuberant event as they compete to get their hands on the UniBrass Trophy and UniBrass Shield.

The championships are also being broadcast this year by BrassPass.tv — so wherever you are in the world you can cheer on your old alma-mater or simply sit back and enjoy the great entertainment.

To find out more:


https://www.unibrass.co.uk/the-contest

For more information about accessing the broadcast go to: www.brasspass.tv

Trophy Section:
Octagon Centre
Adjudicators: Andrea Price and Chris King


Manchester (10:40)
Huddersfield (11:15)
Warwick (11:50)
Nottingham (12:25)
Bristol (13:00)
Sheffield (14:30)
Birmingham (15:05)
Chichester (15:40)
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (16:15)
Salford (16:50)

There will be a 1 hour 10 minutes lunch break in between Bristol and Sheffield's performances.

Shield Section:
Drama Studio
Adjudicators: Jayne Murrill and Jack Capstaff


Lancaster (10:15)
Leeds (10:50)
Durham (11:25)
Cambridge (12:00)
Oxford (12:35)
Cardiff (14:05)
Southampton (14:40)
Royal Holloway (15:15)
Keele (15:50)
York (16:25)
King's College London (17:00)

There will be a 1 hour 10 minutes lunch break in between Oxford and Cardiff's performances.

Outdoor Performances:


Bands will be performing one piece under the concourse outside Sheffield Student Union, which anybody can enjoy for free, with hot drinks available from Coffee Revolution.

Manchester (11:05)
Leeds (11:15)
Huddersfield (11:40)
Durham (11:50)
Warwick (12:15)
Cambridge (12:25)
Nottingham (12:50)
Oxford (13:00)
Bristol (13:25)
Cardiff (14:30)
Sheffield (14:55)
Birmingham (15:30)
Royal Holloway (15:40)
Chichester (16:05)
Keele (16:15)
King's College London (17:25)

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    


appg

Brass bands regain Parliamentary voice

June 27 • The setting up of a new All Party Parliamentary Group for Brass Banding gives brass bands a specific voice of support in Westminster.


Alan Duguid

Interview with Alan Duguid

June 26 • 4BR talks to conductor Alan Duguid about the inspirations behind his band's latest contemporary concert featuring works by Malcolm Arnold, David Bedford, Judith Bingham, Freddie Myers, Richard Rodney Bennett, Edmund Rubbra and Raymond Yiu.


Alan Jenkins

Alan Jenkins funeral details announced

June 25 • The funeral details for the highly respected musician and journalist Alan Jenkins have been announced.


Gray and Waespi

Gray and Waespi to lead joint masterclass approach in Bern

June 25 • A four-day conducting and composing masterclass led by Russell Gray and Oliver Waespi will take place in Bern later this year.


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band

Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

June 26 • Percussionist: ELB is looking for a talented percussionist to join our existing section. We’re an ambitious band with an exciting programme and plenty to look forward to in the second half of the year.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

June 23 • Could you be the kit player to make our percussion team complete? . We would love to hear from you.. with National Finals in September and promotion to the North West 1st Section from January 2027 there is so much to look forward too .


Lostock Hall Brass Band

June 23 • Lostock Hall Memorial Brass Band, 2026 North West 2nd Section champions, seek applications for a vibrant, enthusiastic Musical Director to continue to develop and grow the band. . National Finals in September and Promotion to the 1st Section in 2027


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd