*
banner

Radio: Touch of Brass

More music to enjoy from Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge.

Radio
  More great music from Martin and Julie

The Touch of Brass programme is hosted by Martin Upfold and co-presenter Julie Hedge is on the air each week on Community Radio Station Swindon105.5.com.

Not only can you tune in each week and listen to a new programme, you can also repeat things on 'Catch Up' too.

Martin Upfold

Martin's family banding roots lie with Pelton Fell Band, now the NASUWT Riverside Band with whom his grandfather and great grandfather both played.

He started to play on Eb bass aged 13, and went on to play with Swindon Youth Band, the Swindon Young Musicians Club, Swindon Concert Brass and Aldbourne Band.

He returned to Swindon Band and continued to play with them under the late Francis Cowley. He also had time to fit in playing with the Wessex RAF Voluntary Band and went on to play again with Swindon Pegasus Brass.

He started to work with Community radio station Swindon105.5 in 2008 presenting 'A Touch of Brass' which you can hear between 5pm & 6pm every Sunday evening.

In 2020 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons but has maintained his programme ever since, much to the delight of listeners around the banding world who listen in every week.

Welcome

Martin welcomes listeners every Sunday between 5.00pm & 6.00pm on Swindon105.5 or (FM)105.5, on the App, Now on Digital,

Go to www.swindon1055.com and click on 'Listen Live', or if you missed the show y, click on 'Catch Up'.

You can also leave a message to get a track played at martin.upfold@swindon1055.com or info@swindon1055.com (putting your message c/o A Touch of Brass) or telephone Swindon105.5 between 10am — 3pm, Monday — Friday on 01793 611555 and leave a message.

Sunday 19th April:

Hungarian March (Berlioz)
Foden's

Breezin' Down Broadway (Richards)
The Household Troop Band of The Salvation Army

Caravan (Ellington)

Don't Stop Me Know (Mercury)
Greater Gwent Youth Band

The Way We Were (Hamlisch)
Foden's

All Creatures of Our God and King (St Francis)
Bristol Eastern Band

Postcard from Mexico (Snell)
Foden's

Ruby Tuesday (Jagger/Richards)
Grimethorpe Colliery Band

The Duchess of Duke Street (Faris)
Who Pays the Ferryman (Marcopolis)
Royal Doulton Band

O Happy Day
Shine Jesus Shine
Bristol Eastern Band

Bohemian Rhapsody (Mercury)
Williams Fairey

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    


Horns of Ibiza

Sun, Sea and 90s bangers....

April 18 • There will be a musical flavour of 1990s Ibiza in the heart of Uppermill next month — so get those smiley faces out now for brass band club music with a difference...


BrookWrightlove

BrookWright Music: Unbounded Love (Bortniansky arr. Olaf Ritman)

April 18 • A wonderfully moving tribute that brings solace and reverence to any band programme.


Doodles

Be a Doodles star in Fleetwood

April 18 • Before or after you have played at the Fleetwood contest this weekend you need to drop in sees about a bit of doodling...


EBBA Linz

European own-choice works revealed for Linz

April 17 • The own-choice selections from youth to elite contenders in Linz have been revealed — with excitement to go with the intrigue guaranteed in spades...


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 18 April • Hathersage Methodist Church . Main Road. Hathersage S32 1BB


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


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Chinnor Silver

April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday


Linthwaite Band

April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd