*
banner

Brass features in Arnold Festival

The 19th Malcolm Arnold Festival will take place in his hometown of Northampton later this month.

Arnold
  The 19th Malcolm Arnold Festival takes place on 19th October

The 19th Malcolm Arnold Festival will be held in the composer's home town of Northampton on Saturday 19th October.

Artistic Director Paul Harris has curated a wide ranging set of features and attractions to celebrate the life and work of one of the UK's great compositional figures, with free admittance for students and under 18s.

Three concerts

He told 4BR: "This year we are offering three concerts within central Northampton, all in walkable distances from each other.

We are delighted that Saturday's launch concert (11.00am) will take place at St Peter's Church, marking its reopening as a performance space."

Schedule:


11.00am:
St Peter's Church, Mare Fair, Northampton (NN1 1SW)
Event marks the reopening of the church as a performance space.

Composer Matthew Taylor launches the Festival with 'Arnold for Brass & Strings' performed by Spectacle Brass and the String Quartet from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

2.30pm:
All Saints' Church, George Row, Northampton (NN1 1DF)

'Arnold for Choir and Organ' performed by Tom Moore, Organ and the Malcolm Arnold Festival Choir lead by Simon Toyne

6.00pm:
Guildhall, St Giles' Square, Northampton NN1 1DE

Gala Concert and Short Symposium

A short symposium hosted by Matthew Taylor in the Court Room at 6.00pm is followed by a concert featuring the Northampton County Youth Concert Band and NMPAT Orchestra.

Works featured include: 'Scottish Dances'; 'Padstow Lifeboat'; 'Sarabande' and 'Polka' from 'Solitaire'; 'English Dances' (Set 2); 'Little Suite No.2' and 'River Kwai' march.

Tickets:


Tickets are £10 per concert or £25 for a day ticket allowing access to all events, available on the door or book in advance from the website.

Students and under 18s are admitted FREE-of-charge.

Go to: www.malcolmarnoldfestival.com

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 Champs

Birmingham hosts National Youth Championships

March 28 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today, get along and enjoy plenty of fantastic brass band performers.


Withington

Withington returns to Grimethorpe

March 28 • Allan Withington will lead Grimethorpe Colliery at the British Open and Albert Hall National Final, as contesting connection with Carlton Main comes to an end.


Adams

Trombone stars add to Adams artist line-up

March 28 • Tom Challinor and Jonathan Pippen have become Adams Artists.


Welcome

Warm welcome for Lawson at Welsh champion

March 28 • It's a been a long journey to get to his first rehearsal for Kyle Lawson at Cory — and its straight into concert action too.


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


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


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 5 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd