*
banner

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with David Bremner

We chat to the New Zealand trombone star and conductor about his appearance at the festival as a soloist and at the helm with Brighouse & Rastrick.

David Bremner
  David Bremner will be conducting Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

The 2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival is brought to a close on Sunday evening at 6.30pm with the appearance of Brighouse & Rastrick Band under the direction of New Zealand conductor David Bremner.

They bring an enticing programme of repertoire that straddles both hemispheres of the banding globe.

Two hemispheres

Works by Dani Howard and Liz Lane sit alongside Edward Gregson's 'Rococo Variations' and the Elgarian sentiments of the Denis Wright 'Cornet Concerto' played by principal cornet Tom Smith in representing the north, whilst engaging works by John Psathas, Estella Wallace, Gareth Farr and Paul Terracini proudly fly the AnZac musical colours.

Find out more

We caught up with David to find out more about the music being played… but first asked him about if the RNCM Festival makes a significant mark on the antipodean banding movement.

Tickets and programme

Tickets: https://www.rncm.ac.uk/basket/?instance_id=17401

Brighouse & Rastrick Band
Conductor: David Bremner
Soloist: Tom Smith

Programme:
Warp and Weft (Dani Howard)
Cornet Concerto (Denis Wright0
Silver Rose (Liz Lane)
Rococo Variations (Edward Gregson)
Saxon (John Psathas)
Ka mate te reo i te reaka kotahi (Estella Wallace trans. David Bremner)
Waipiro (Gareth Farr)
Gegensatze (Paul Terracini)

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    


Trevor Herbert

The Brass Band Story gains 'In Tune' feature

July 15 • Prof Trevor Herbert will talk about his latest brass band book on the Radio 3 'In Tune' programme this evening.


Easington

BBC spotlight for Lawson and Easington

July 15 • The outstanding dedication of Peter Lawson of Easington Colliery Band has been the focus of a BBC 'Our Lives' documentary programme.


Scoland

Funding shortfalls spotlighted by Scotsman

July 15 • The challenges of funding peripatetic music services in Scotland have come under scrutiny once again in the media.


NXTOD

Free live broadcast from Bandamonium

July 15 • You can enjoy all the great brass band entertainment at the Bandamonium event in Devon for free later this month.


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


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


Chinnor Silver

July 14 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on MONDAY 20th at 11 am in our bandroom.. We would welcome players of all ages and abilities to join us for a friendly relaxed rehearsal.. Of course there is tea and cake !!!. And you can even choose a piece to play


Welwyn Garden City Band

July 13 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We currently have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player, a 2nd EUPHONIUM player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Fulham Brass Band

July 7 • Principal Eb bass vacancy:. . Fulham Brass Band, under our inspirational new MD Alan Thomas, are looking for a top class Eb bass player to join us for the First Section National Finals in September and beyond as we seek promotion back to the Championship.


Stan Lippeatt

BA, LRSM
Conductor, adjudicator, tutor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd