*
banner

New Higgins work at Aldeburgh Festival

A new cantata by composer Gavin Higgins will be featured at the famous Aldeburgh Festival next month.

hIGGINS
  Gavin Higgins continues to make a major impact on the music world

Composer Gavin Higgins continues to make a major impression on the musical world.

On Friday 17th June, the National Orchestra of Wales under the baton of Martyn Brabbins will perform his new cantata, 'The Faerie Bride' featuring singers Marta Fontanals-Simmons and Roderick Williams at the high profile Aldeburgh Festival.

Lady of the Lake

The 40 minute work is a Britten Pears Arts commission which dramatises the Welsh myth 'Lady of the Lake' in which the faerie who emerges from the water to become a local man's bride is rejected by the local community but takes matters into her own hands.

It forms part of a concert that will also feature Grace Williams' 1944 work, 'Sea Sketches' and Benjamin Britten's 'A Suite of English Folk Tunes: A Time There Was'.

The 40 minute work is a Britten Pears Arts commission which dramatises the Welsh myth 'Lady of the Lake' 4BR

Proms

The Forest of Dean composer's CV includes a trio of Proms commission, including his latest which will see Tredegar Band team up with the National Orchestra of Wales for a Proms performance on August 8th.

His 2015 ballet score to 'Dark Arteries' with Rambert Ballet, and 2019 Covent Garden opera 'The Monstrous Child' gained widespread critical acclaim, whilst his Trombone Concerto, 'The Book of Miracles' claimed a prestigious Ivor Novello Award.

Recently 'As Spoke Albion' made a huge impression at the European Brass Band Championships in Birmingham.

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    


Tommy Tynan

4BR Thursday interview with Tommy Tynan

January 15 • We catch up with Black Dyke Band's Tommy Tynan as he prepares to take up the baton as a finalist in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition this weekend in Tidworth.


RAF

RAF Ensembles continue to fly high and wide

January 15 • The variant ensembles that are part of the Band of the RAF Regiment continue to reach out in their musical performances.


Ingbjord

Duality of expansion and recognition for Vilhelmsen

January 15 • Norwegian composer gains recognition for the popularity and critical acclaim of her brass band works with publisher award nomination.


Skunkworks

A brass band camp with a difference...

January 15 • The latest Skunkworks Community Bright Brass & Percussion Summer Intensive in Australia came with snake bites, heat stress gastroenteritis and bushfires, as well as plenty of great music making...


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Cheltenham Silver Band

January 14 • Tenor Horn, Bass, Percussion (all positions negotiable) in our 3rd Section Band.. . As we prepare for the West of England Areas with our professional conductor, Neil Brownless, and the 2026 summer season, we are looking to welcome new members.


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd