*
banner

Open champions feature on Wizard of Oz playlist

Brighouse & Rastrick make an appearance on James Morrison's 'Top Brass Christmas' programme on Radio 2.

Top Brass
  The programme is hosted by James Morrison (image: BBC/Cameron Bloom Photography)

Brass bands continue to make a musical impression on the BBC with British Open Champion Brighouse & Rastrick being featured on a new Christmas show on Radio 2.

'A Top Brass Christmas' is presented by the great Australian multi-instrumentalist James Morrison — and it is also acting as something of an aperitif for a new series of his 'Top Brass' show in January.

Festive favourites

'The Wizard of Oz' brings together some festive favourites, introducing carols, songs and lots of seasonal brass music.

There's jazz from Chet Baker and Gunhild Carling, big band from Tom Kubis, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and The Airmen of Note, carols from Brighouse & Rastrick and The New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, plus brassy pop covers from Oompah Brass, Aubrey Logan, and Back Chat Brass.

James also compiles his own 'Top Brass Nutcracker Suite' and plays original arrangements of festive classics by the likes of Imperial Brass, Riot Jazz, Bone-a-Fide Trombone Quartet, the Red Light Brass Band, German Brass, and the Funky Butt Brass Band!

To enjoy:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ghk9

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    


Gray

Tributes for Gray as conductor announces Eccles departure

March 31 • Thanks and best wishes as 16 year partnership between Mareika Gray and Eccles Borough comes to an end.


Brass Band Week

Banding campaigns return this summer

March 31 • Brass Band Week and Proms in the Park return this Summer — so make sure you reach out and connect with your local communities.


gALASHILS

Report & Results: 2026 SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships

March 31 • There was a fantastic day of competitive solo and ensemble action to enjoy at Bellshill Salvation Army Centre.


BBW

March Edition of Brass Band World magazine out now

March 31 • The latest edition of the leading brass band magazine is now out — packed with interviews, articles, reviews and news...


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Thornton Cleveleys Band

March 31 • MD VACANCY. Are you the missing piece to our FULL BAND?. We are a NW 3rd section band looking for our new MD. We are based just outside of Blackpool close to the M55 motorway. Mon+Thurs rehearsals.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • BBb BASS player required following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


St John's Band (Mossley)

March 29 • SOLO CORNET players required (position negotiable) following our 4th place at the North West regionals. We are a friendly, welcoming 4th section band based in Tameside, Greater Manchester and we rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Mossley.


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd