*
banner

Spring Festival ready to welcome bands and supporters

The Winter Gardens in Blackpool will host the Grand Shield, Senior Cup and Senior Trophy contests this Saturday — so why not come along and enjoy the qualification action.

Nice to see you
  It would be nice to see you on the weekend in Blackpool

The 100th British Open Spring Festival takes place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday (7th May), with a great trio of contests to enjoy.

Grand Shield

The Grand Shield with its two qualification places to the British Open at Symphony Hall up for grabs starts at 10.30am.

The band will perform Peter Graham's 'Dynasty' at the Winter Garden's Opera House.

Senior Cup

The Senior Cup will kick-off at 11.30am in the Pavilion Theatre where the competing bands will perform 'Freedom' by Hubert Bath.

Senior Trophy

The Spanish Hall will host the Senior Trophy, with a start time of 10.00am.

Bands will perform the classic Cyril Jenkins test-piece, 'Life Divine'.

Tickets:

Tickets for admittance to all sections will be available on the day.
or from Ticketmaster on 0844 856 11 11

Adults: £14
Concessions: £8

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    


wobplay

Support boosts new Wobplay tenure

August 6 • Nicki Tonge and Adam Goldsmith grateful for the continued support of global subscribers as World of Sound, World of Brass and wobplay look towards future.


NYBBWales

Orbital gets Welsh Youth launch

August 6 • The National Youth Brass Band of Wales will include Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' in their ambitious summer course concerts repertoire.


UnIbRASS

Entries open for UniBrass Composition Competition

August 6 • The 2027 UniBrass Foundation's Composition Competition is now open — with an Oxford feel theme.


Blackford

Orbital set for publishing take-off

August 5 • The acclaimed major work from composer Richard Blackford will be available for bands to purchase from 4th September.


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


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

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


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

August 6 • The band requires an Eb bass player for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

August 6 • The band requires a Cornet player (Position negotiable) for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Brunel Brass Organisation

August 5 • Brunel Brass is looking for a SOLO HORN to complete the band. Challenging for promotion to the Championship Section in 2027 and achieving our highest ever result at the British Open Senior Trophy in 2026, it's an exciting time to join the band!


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd