*
banner

Bands open first weekend of Welsh National Eisteddfod

The televised brass band contests will feature on the opening weekend in Pontypridd — including a brand new youth event with a European prize.

eISEDFFD
  The event is being held in Pontypridd this year

The National Eisteddfod of Wales will take place in Pontypridd this year from the 3rd-10th August.

The brass band competitions will be broadcast on the S4C television channel as well as its 'Clic' highlights service. The adjudicator is David Hayward. They take place on the first weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August.

Competitions

The joint Championship/First Section (Sunday 4th August) will see bands compete with their 20-minute programmes for the £750 first prize as well as the Flintshire Territorial Army Cup. There are podium prizes of £500 and £300.

The joint Second/Third Section (Saturday 3rd August) sees bands provide a 15-minute programme in their bid to claim the Ivor Jarvis Trophy and £500 first prize. There are podium prizes of £300 and £200.

There is also a separate Fourth Section (Saturday 3rd August) with the same programme and prize details.

In addition to the first prize of £500, the winning band will be invited to represent Wales at the 2024 European Youth Championships in Stavanger4BR

Youth Contest

In addition, there will be a new Youth Competition (Sunday 4th August), which will see bands of up to 50 players provide 15-minute programmes. Competing players should all 21 or under on 1st January 2024.

In addition to the first prize of £500, the winning band will be invited to represent Wales at the 2025 European Youth Championships in Stavanger.

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    


NYGGB

National Youth Band opportunities

May 8 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain is looking to appoint new trustees and a librarian to help strengthen the organisation's heritage and future.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall tickets now on sale

May 8 • Tickets for the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall are now on sale.


Band Supplies

Summer deals to grab at Band Supplies

May 8 • There are plenty of great deals to grab at Band Supplies on ex-demo and second hand instruments.


Emergency

BBE to host emergency planning webinar

May 8 • Make sure you have plans in place to protest valuable musical and memorabilia assets if potential disaster strikes.


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 17 May • Dorchester- Park Bandstand DT1 1RG


Newstead Brass - Mansfield MVC - Brass and Voices

Sunday 24 May • Forest Town Arena. Clipstone Road West,. Mansfield NG19 0EE


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


Hathern Band

May 10 • Due to University placement we require a Bb Bass player- we are a First Section band based at our own band room in the village of Hathern LE12 5LJ Leicestershire (between M1 Jcts 23 & 24) and close to Lougborough and Nottingham Universities


Newstead Brass

May 10 • Newstead Brass are on the lookout for a talented 2nd BARITONE player to join our ambitious and hardworking Nottinghamshire-based Championship Section band.. A rare chance to become part of an ambitious brass band striving for even greater success together.


Ibstock Brick Brass

May 9 • Ibstock Brick Brass are looking for a Solo Cornet, 3rd Cornet, 2nd Horn, Bass Trombone and B Flat Tuba as we move into the second section from 2027. We are a friendly, ambitions and progressive band that rehearse at our own bandroom in Coalville.


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd