*
banner

Cheltenham experience added to new AoBBA intake

Four musicians will enjoy an insight into the adjudication process at the National Finals in Cheltenham this weekend.

aobba
  The four musicians will be mentored by Aobba Executive member Nicholas Garman

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has linked up with Kapitol Promotions to provide an Adjudicators' Experience Day at the forthcoming Cheltenham National Finals.

Ben Brickles, Thomas Dunne, Stephanie Dyer and Daniel Hutchins will join AoBBA mentor Nicholas Garman, on Sunday 14th September to take part in a workshop covering score preparation, the PAC (Performance Assessment Criteria) code, contest paperwork and contest preparation.

Own judgements

The quartet will also undertake their own adjudications for half of the Section 3 contest, meeting the official adjudicators before taking part in a brief Q&A session.

Ben is a graduate of the University of Huddersfield and is also the MD of Barnsley Brass. Thomas is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and a PhD researcher at Cardiff University School of Social Science. He is the MD Lydney Town Band.

Stephanie is a music graduate of King's College, Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music. She is a former principal trombonist of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Daniel is currently a composition student at the Royal College of Music and cornet player with GUS Band.

Shadowing

It was also confirmed that AoBBA Development Members Danny Brooks and Melissa Smith will take part in a shadow adjudication with mentor Martin Heartfield as part of the Development Programme in Section 1.

For more information, visit: www.aobba.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    


Howell

Death of Adrienne Howell BEM

January 16 • 4BR has been informed of the death of Adrienne Howell BEM, the remarkable joint founder of Mere Manor Brass.


Brass Monkeys

Podcast: The Brass Monkeys — Episode 23

January 16 • The popular podcast with a distinctive Welsh flavour returns for a clean and busy new year.


Tommy Tynan

4BR Thursday interview with Tommy Tynan

January 15 • We catch up with Black Dyke Band's Tommy Tynan as he prepares to take up the baton as a finalist in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition this weekend in Tidworth.


RAF

RAF Ensembles continue to fly high and wide

January 15 • The variant ensembles that are part of the Band of the RAF Regiment continue to reach out in their musical performances.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Cheltenham Silver Band

January 14 • Tenor Horn, Bass, Percussion (all positions negotiable) in our 3rd Section Band.. . As we prepare for the West of England Areas with our professional conductor, Neil Brownless, and the 2026 summer season, we are looking to welcome new members.


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd