*
banner

Ensembles set for Philip Jones semi final battle

Six outstanding brass ensembles will compete in the semi-final of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Competition — with the final taking place on Saturday in Birmingham.

Philip Jones
  The competition is taking place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The semi-final of the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition will take place today at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The event which promotes the excellence and enterprise of young brass quintets in brass chamber music performance, and which reflects the pioneering legacy of the legendary Philip Jones CBE, is being held at the RBC's Bradshaw Hall.

Six ensembles

Six ensembles have made it through to this stage from an initial 11 ensembles that performed during the week, with the final taking place on Saturday 15th July. The competition format is for an ensemble of two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba and offers a first prize of £7,500, with additional prizes of £5,000 and £2,500.

The jury for the event is Pasi Pirinen (Principal Trumpet, Helsinki Philharmonic); Alan Thomas (Onyx Brass, Septura, former principal trumpet BBC Symphony Orchestra); Annamia Larsson (French horn of Stockholm Chamber Brass); Mayumi Shimizu (Solo trombone of SWR Symphony Orchestra) and Jens Bjørn-Larsen (tuba with Hannover Hochschule, Chamber Orchestra of Europe).

Semi-finalists

The semi-finalists are Phoenix Brass from the Royal Northern College of Music; KamBrass from Barcelona; Perrongen Brass from the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo; London Central Brass; New Antonine Brass from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Les Brassuers Quintet from Italy.

The semi-final day will take place on Friday 14th July (free entry — 3.00pm to 9.30pm) with the final featuring the top three ensembles taking place the following day (Saturday 15th July — £10 entry: 5.00pm — 9.00pm)

The semi-final and final is taking place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire4BR

Semi-Final (free):

Friday 14th July

https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar/philip-jones-day-2-

Grand Final:

Saturday 15th July

https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar/philip-jones-international-brass-ensemble-competition-grand-final

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    


ebba

Future Europeans to head to Belgium and Denmark

November 9 • Antwerp and Copenhagen have been confirmed as the hosts cities for the 2029 and 2030 European Championships.


Greighallen

World of Brass to live-broadcast Norwegian National Championships

November 8 • The action from the 2027 Norwegian National Championships will be live-streamed by World of Brass on their wobplay.com media platform.


swbba

Results: 2026 SWBBA Contest

November 8 • Tongwynlais Temperance claims the cross border honours in Torquay with section wins for Weston Brass, St. Pinnock, Pendennis Brass, St. Austell Youth and Hatherleigh Training.


SBBBa

Result: 2026 SBBBA Borders Entertainment Contest

November 8 • Jedforest Instrumental claim the honours in Galashiels.


Regent Hall Concerts - Band of the RAF Regiment Brass Ensemble

Friday 20 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver President's Concert

Friday 27 November • St George's Church, St Johns Avenue, Rugby CV22 5HR


West Yorkshire Police Band - Mid Yorkshire Breast Cancer Support

Saturday 28 November • Cluntergate Centre, Horbury WF4 5DA


Newstead Brass - The Snowman - Live

Saturday 5 December • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West, Forest Town. Mansfield NG19 0EE


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Christmas Magic and More

Sunday 13 December • Rugby Theatre, Henry Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2QA


Chinnor Silver

November 6 • We are looking to strengthen our top end and require an ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CORNET to join this friendly and ambitious 1st Section band.Good book of concerts and contests planned that includes a trip to Belgium.


Oxford Cherwell Brass

November 6 • Oxford Cherwell Brass invites applications for a new MUSICAL DIRECTOR . We seek a new MD who is committed to an inclusive positive approach towards enjoyment of music making and development. We are a friendly second section band (L&SC).


Hade Edge Band

November 5 • Hade Edge Band are looking to recruit Front Row Cornets, position negotiable to complete our line up for next years Area contest. The band rehearse on Tuesday & Thursday at 7.45pm till 9.45pm in our fantastic purpose built bandroom.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd