*
banner

Pick of the bunch

The Orchard of England Brass Quintet recently delighted local audiences — not surprising given their line up of players...

Orchard Brass
 

The Orchard of England Brass Quintet recently delighted audiences in Somerset when they were guests of the Frome Chorale Societies annual Christmas concert.

The concert took place at the Wesley Methodist Church in Frome to a packed and appreciative audience.

Pick of the talent

The inaugural performance by the quintet brought together in it’s ranks five musicians who reside in the north, south, east and west of the country, on trumpets Joanne Sykes from Bruton, Somerset and Brian Heyes, Preston who plays with The Leyland Band, on horn Dave Aston from Reading who plays with Polysteel, on trombone Nick Hudson from Minehead and on tuba Steve Sykes.

Four centuries

The Quintet featured music spanning four centuries and Steve & Nick delighted the audience with solo selections. The quintet along with Ian Ball, Organist from Bristol university accompanied the choral society and audience in carols and festive music most of which was arranged by Steve Sykes.

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

Results: 2026 Norwegian National Championships

February 7 • Eikanger Bjorsvik reclaims the Norwegian National title in Bergen as section victories go to Rong Brass, Agder Brass, Evanger Musikklag, Skeie Brass and Langhus Brass.


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


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


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

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


Phoenix Band Wakefield

February 8 • Required: B Flat and E Flat Bass players.. A friendly, welcoming, non competing community band in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. We enjoy entertaining and making music. Our MD is Mark Bray. Rehearsals on Fridays 7 - 8.30 at Manygates Centre, Wakefield,WF2 7DQ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Gordon Eddison

B Ed (Hons). Member AoBBA.
Conductor and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd