*
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    


Eikanger-Bjørsvik celebrating

World Rankings: April 2026

April 9 • Eikanger-Bjørsvik return to the top of the rankings following their recent victory at the Norwegian Championships in Bergen.


Victoria Wood

Limited tickets only for NYBBGB Easter concerts

April 8 • There are only limited tickets left if you wish to enjoy the New Horizons Concerts of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Leyburn and Manchester — so be quick.


Doodles

Spring upgrade from Doodles

April 8 • The bespoke mouthpiece business is offering a Spring custom upgrade...


Banstand

Radio: Bandstand

April 8 • More brass band music to enjoy from Lucas Burns in Australia with one work about a dog and a bomb...


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Glossop Old Band

April 9 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a principal cornet player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Harrogate Band

April 8 • We are looking for a Solo Cornet and Back Row Cornet to complete our team. . Interesting mix of engagements and contests. . Rehearsals Wednesday 8pm at our own bandroom located next to Hornbeam Park train station. Great transport links


Glossop Old Band

April 8 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd