*
banner

2022 4BR Player of the Year

Richard Poole of Foden's rounds off a fantastic year of performance brilliance by becoming 4BR Player of the Year.

pLAYER
  The brilliant Richard Poole of Foden's Band is the 4BR Player of the Year

Winner: Richard Poole (Foden's)


2. Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)
3. Tom Hutchinson (Cory)

After year in which he was the standout major contest performer as well as producing a series of superb concert appearances and releasing an excellent debut solo CD, Foden's Richard Poole is the richly deserved 4BR Player of the Year.

He was the first-choice preference of 8 of the panel with numerous other votes to add to his personal British Open, National Championship of Great Britain and Brass in Concert honours.

Tom Smith of Brighouse & Rastrick (3 first preference votes) also made a huge impression in 2022 as he grew into his role with increasing maturity, whilst the continued excellence of Cory's Tom Hutchinson also saw him gain 2 first preference votes to come third.

There were also first preference votes for Grethe Tonheim, Murray Borthwick, Andy Moore and Kirsty Abbotts, with the judges also noting the excellence of Will Norman, Dennis Vork and Mathilde Roh.

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: Isobel Daws
2020: Yu-Han Yang
2019: Tom Hutchinson
2018: Chris Thomas
2017: David Morton
2016: Helen Williams
2015: David Childs
2014: David Childs
2013: Glenn Van Looy
2012: Steve Stewart
2011: Glen Van Looy
2010: David Childs
2009: Mark Wilkinson
2008: Peter Moore
2007: Hans Gansch
2006: Katrina Marzella
2005: David Childs
2004: David Childs
2003: Martin Winter
2002: Morgan Griffiths
2001: Peter Roberts

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    


NYBBGB

Principal roles in place on National Youth Band course

July 27 • The principal players on the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Children's Band course have been decided.


Brass in Concert

Seats in demand for Brass in Concert

July 27 • November in Gateshead may be a while away, but tickets for Brass in Concert are already being snapped up very quickly.


nybbs

Scottish principals to the fore in Strathallan

July 27 • The young players on the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland course are making their musical mark.


Wright and Round

Wright & Round: I Want You Back (Philip Harper)

July 27 • Bring the sound of Motown to your next concert.


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


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


Welwyn Garden City Band

July 27 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We currently have vacancies for EEb and BBb BASS players and a 2nd EUPHONIUM player. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Tintwistle Band

July 25 • are looking for a new MD to lead our friendly and committed band as we continue to build on our proud traditions and look towards an exciting future.If you enjoy helping musicians of all ages and abilities reach their potential,we’d love to hear from you!


Ashington Colliery Band

July 24 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd