*
banner

From Heyrod to Hanoi

There will be a worldwide focus on the famous Whit Friday march contest today — with special support from Vietnam.

Nord Anglia
  The pupils come from 33 schoold across the world

One of the great events in the worldwide banding calendar takes place around the villages of Tameside and Saddleworth & Oldham district today, as the famous Whit Friday march contests return after the enforced Covid-19 break.

With the promise of fine weather it should make for a joyful return, as bands from the elite stars to scratch ensembles enjoy the friendly competitive spirit.

Slaidburn from Vietnam

Hopefully there will be a great turn out — and even those who can't make it this year have been determined to be a part, with an ex-player now teaching in Vietnam putting together a performance of William Rimmer's 'Slaidburn'.

Rachael Howarth grew up in Mossley and used to love listening to her uncles play with St John's Mossley Band on their annual Whit Friday performances.

As Head of Music at Audenshaw Boys School she managed to get a small band out for a few years and even when she was teaching in European she came back to enjoy the contests.

Rachael is now working for the international education group Nord Anglia Education, but was determined that her students who are based in 33 different schools across the world could still be apart — albeit on-line.

They include a trombone player from Florida, a cornet player from Vietnam, a bass player from Spain and a horn player from China just for starters!

Be a part

"Since moving to Vietnam I knew I wouldn't be able to fly home this year,"she told 4BR. "But after telling the pupils about the event and how brilliant it was, everyone just wanted to be a part — even if it is on-line.

We managed to get 70 videos from pupils in our 33 schools across the world and with the help of my colleague Jonathan Scott who used to play with Bratton Silver and Clacton-on-Sea Bands, we decided to put something together."

I hope people enjoy what we have done and can give us some feedback to help encourage our pupils to carry on playing brass band musicRachael Howarth

Encouragement

Rachael added: "I e-mailed Tameside Council and Foden's Band who gave us great advice and encouragement and also Wright & Round to make sure we were all above board with copyright and we were good to go.

I hope people enjoy what we have done and can give us some feedback to help encourage our pupils to carry on playing brass band music.

They love it — and although it's a bit of a dream, we would love to be able to all get together and come over and play at the event in the future.

We send our best wishes to everyone involved this year and hope they have a wonderful time — and we hope our little musical contribution helps to put a smile on everyone's faces too!"

To enjoy

To enjoy the performance, go to and please leave a comment of support:

https://youtu.be/7MNRIUk83v8

https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools

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    


Wychavon Festival of Brass

Wychavon releases draw details

September 11 • The draws have been made for the popular Wychavon Festival of Brass in November.


aobba

Cheltenham experience added to new AoBBA intake

September 11 • Four musicians will enjoy an insight into the adjudication process at the National Finals in Cheltenham this weekend.


Rockingham

Decade of joint music making to come to end at Rockingham

September 11 • Adam Whittle will step down from his role as Musical Director of Rockingham Band at the end of this year.


NYBBGB C

National Children's Band Summer Course concert to be broadcast

September 10 • You can sit back and enjoy the talents of the National Children's Band of Great Britain as their end of course concert from their recent Summer Course in to be broadcast on YouTube this Friday.


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 11 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (15th) and we would welcome any players who fancy joining us for a relaxed and friendly blow.. All abilities are welcome and meeting with us has no impact on your main band.. Cake and coffee included FREE


Epping Forest Band

September 11 • We have a solo horn vacancy to join our friendly 3rd section band. We have a sensible calendar of contests and concerts.. Situated with close links to the M11/M25 and Central line tube station, with our own band room.. Rehearsals Monday night 8-10pm.


Delph Band

September 9 • We are a friendly, hardworking North West 2nd Section band based in Saddleworth. Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-10pm at Delph Band Club. We are currently looking to fill the following positions; Tutti Cornet, Percussion and Eb Bass.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd