*
banner

Settling in at its new home...

The British Open Gold Shield is safe in its new home in the cantons of Switzerland surrounded by some familiar silver residents.

TreizeEtoiles
  The trophy now sits with some impressive friends...

The iconic British Open Championship Gold Shield has now found its new home alongside the impressive collection of major contest silverware already won by Brass Band Treize Etoiles in the past year.

Gold and silverware

The image shows the trophy and the British Open Challenge Cup next to the Swiss National Championship Trophy as well as the European Championship and Own-Choice trophies.

Stored in its protective case, the Shield made its long way back to the Valais valley in Switzerland in the back of the band's instrument van and will now be held safely in the their care for the next twelve months before returning to the UK with the band in defence of their title in 2025.

Fantastic weekend

Speaking about the weekend the band told the organisers: "We would like to thank you once again for your invitation to the British Open and for your warm welcome.

There's no doubt that this fantastic weekend will live long in our memories and those of our supporters."

Treize Etoile now looks forward to displaying the trophy as often as possible as well as starting work on the defence of its Swiss National titles in the coming months.

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    


Spring Festival

Rehearsal slots available for Spring Festival

April 2 • Blackpool Salvation Army has a trio of rehearsal slots available for bands to fill on the Spring Festival contest day.


Youth Championships

2026 Youth Championships to head to Birmingham

April 2 • Brass Bands England confirm that the 2026 National Youth Championships of Great Britain will be held in Birmingham.


Brassettes

Brassettes Podcast: Episodes 7 & 8

April 2 • Joanne Behan catches up with more inspirational female musicians for her podcast series- with Coco Chan and Lauren Chinn from Flowers Band and the players from Brazen Brass.


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd