*
banner

2022 4BR Test Piece of the Year

Edward Gregson's 'The World Rejoicing' continued to make its uplifting mark on the contesting world as once again it is the 4BR Test Piece of the Year.

Test Piece
  Edward Gregson's 'The World Rejoicing' continues to make its joyful mark on the banding world

Winner: The World Rejoicing (Edward Gregson) — British Open/Belgian National Championship


2. Saints Triumphant (Prof Philip Wilby) — European Championship
3. Contest Music (Wilfred Heaton) — Championship Section Area Championships/World Music Contest

Still a year of catch-up in many ways, but also one in which some great test-piece choices showed that bands are at their best when challenged by top class music.

Edward Gregson's latest major work has been well worth waiting for — as it once again made a huge impression of conductors, players and audiences alike as it was finally performed at the British Open and the again at the Belgian National Championships.

It gained 8 first preference choices from our panel, whilst there was also a great deal of admiration for Prof Philip Wilby's 'Saints Triumphant' (5 first choice preferences) that made a huge impression at the European Championships. It will surely be heard time and again in 2023 and beyond.

The iconic status of 'Contest Music' remains too, gaining 3 first choice preference votes for the judges, whilst Ludovic Neurohr's 'Nu' used at the Swiss Championships was also a favourite of one.

Other works to be noted by the panel were 'Redbad: King of the Frisians', 'Albinus Variations', 'Hyperlink', 'Sinfonietta' and 'Argos'.

Panel:


The Awards Panel consisted of:
Iwan Fox (editor 4BR); Michael Bach (conductor/adjudicator); Kerry Baldwin (player/regional development executive ABRSM); Sarah Groarke Booth (conductor/adjudicator); Anne Crookston (conductor/adjudicator); David Gallaher (conductor/adjudicator); David Hirst (player/conductor/adjudicator); Owen Melhuish (New Zealand BBA); Tim Mutum (writer/brass band recording and history specialist); Gordon Simpson (statistician Brass Band World magazine); Stein Skorpholm (Norwegian broadcaster/presenter); Chris Thomas (chief contributor BBW magazine/4BR contributor); Camilla Soderstrom Tveit (player/adjudicator); Luc Vertommen (conductor/adjudicator/arranger); Andrew Wainwright (composer/arranger/designer); Malcolm Wood (4BR chief contributor); Alexander Zwann (chief contributor CU Brass).

Past Winners:


2021: The World Rejoicing: Variations on a Lutheran Chorale (Edward Gregson)
2020: Neverland (Christopher Bond)
2019: Dear Cassandra… (Ludovic Neurohr)
2018: Concerto Grosso (Derek Bourgeois)
2017: Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2016: Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)
2015: The God Particle (Rolf Rudin)
2014: Vita Aeterna Variations (Ed de Boer writing as Alexander Comitas)
2013: Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style) (Edward Gregson)
2012: Goldberg 2012 (Svein Henrik Giske)
2011: Breath of Souls (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
2010: Saint Saens Variations (Philip Sparke)
2009: Titan's Progress (Hermann Pallhuber)
2008: The Dark Side of the Moon (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
2007: Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke)
2006: Vienna Nights (Philip Wilby)
2005: Eden (Dr. John Pickard)
2004: St. Magnus (Kenneth Downie)
2003: Festival Music (Eric Ball)
2002: Masquerade (Philip Wilby)
2001: Albion (Jan Van der Roost)

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    


Youth Championships

National Youth Championship tickets now on sale

September 25 • Tickets for the 2024 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain are now on sale.


King

National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain launches Conducting Competition

September 25 • NYBBGB Conducting Competition offers opportunity to work with the talented youngsters and be mentored by Prof David King.


Dungannon

High Peak victory for Dungannon

September 24 • An amazing climb to a musical summit has helped to raise funds for a fantastic cause that serves the communities of Northern Ireland.


Best of Brass

Hammonds the number 1 draw for Morley Best of Brass concert series

September 24 • Hammonds will kick off the 2024/25 Leeds Best of Brass series at Morley Town Hall next weekend.


Enderby Band - The Melton Band

Sunday 24 September • Melton Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0HJ


The GUS Band - The GUS Band 90th Anniversary Celebration Concert

Sunday 24 September • Northampton High School,. Newport Pagnell Road,. Hardingstone,. Northampton NN4 6UU


Boarshurst Silver Band - Eagley Band

Sunday 24 September • Boarshurst Band Club. Greenbridge Lane. Greenfield. Oldham OL3 7EW


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 24 September • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross . Saddleworth . Oldham OL3 5AD


Luton Brass Band - Masterclass with David Daws

Wednesday 27 September • St Augustine's Church, Luton LU3 2JR


Harlow Brass Band

September 22 • Seeking a MUSICAL DIRECTOR - We are a friendly, non-contesting band who play to a good standard. We hold our own Spring and Christmas concerts and provide entertainment at various local events throughout the year


Chinnor Silver

September 22 • Chinnor Silver Band (2nd section National finalists 2023) are looking to strengthen their ranks. We require a Bass player(either flavour) Bass trombone and percussionist. We are a friendly band with a good mix of Concerts and Contests planned for 2023/24


Easingwold Town Band

September 21 • We are an enterprising, forward-looking, inclusive 4th Section band with vacancies for soprano cornet, front-row cornet and Eb bass. Enjoy a friendly welcome at our bandroom in Easingwold, 12 miles N of York (postcode YO61 3DB). Come for a blow!


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2023 4barsrest.com Ltd