*
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    


Ben Dixon

Dixon docks at Marsden for York challenge

July 24 • Grimethorpe MD, Ben Dixon will lead Marsden Silver Prize Band at the First Section National Finals.


nybbs

Scottish youth ready for NYBBS experience

July 24 • 143 talented young players will head to Perthshire for what promises to be an inspirational week of fun and serious music making.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies: The new Sterling Royale Euphonium and Baritone now available

July 24 • Band Supplies has taken stock of the eagerly anticipated Royale Euphonium and Baritone from Sterling Instruments.


Bandamonium

Countdown on for Bandamonium

July 23 • There will be bandamonium in Devon on Saturday 25th July — and you can enjoy it all live and on demand thanks to NXTOD.


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


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


Ashington Colliery Band

July 24 • 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.


Rushden Town Band

July 23 • Trombone and Bb bass positions available.


Chinnor Silver

July 21 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join our ambitious,friendly and hard working 1st section band.Rehearsals are on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up and down). Good but realistic diary of concerts and contests including tour abroad in 2027.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd