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4BR New features

4BR launches two new feature article sections.

4BR
 

With the new year comes new ideas, features and articles on the 4BR site.

Dinner Guests

'Dinner Guests' will see 4BR asking leading brass band personalities for the 10 people, dead or alive, who they would like to invite around their dinner table for a quiet meal and a chin wag about the state of the brass band movement given the chance.

First up in the new series is Chris Wormald.

Go to:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art783.asp

Under the Spotlight

Meanwhile, 'Under the Spotlight' will see 4BR take a very close look at a band to try and find out more about its history, its personnel, but more importantly, about its aims and objectives for the coming season — and whether or not we think they will meet them.

First up is Wingates.

Go to:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art784.asp

New interview series

In addition we will still be looking at the up and coming players around the country in our 'Scouting Report', as well as our 'Gizmos & Gadgets slot and the look back in history that is the 4BR 'Time Team'.

We are also due to start a new series of interviews, whilst we hope to bring some interesting new developments on our contest coverage too.

We are also due to start a new series of interviews, whilst we hope to bring some interesting new developments on our contest coverage too4BR

Contest coverage

Contest coverage starts with the trip to Skegness and Butlins, and we will be at Yeovil, the Norwegian Championships and Action Research too in the early part of February.

Regionals

The Regionals will get our usual in depth coverage and analysis (despite five Areas taking place on one weekend) and we will be looking closely at the state of play in the Fourth Section in particular this year to see what can be done to encourage optimism not despair.

Events

On the event front we will be at the RNCM later this month to report on the bands and the music there, whilst there will also be a report from the National Association of Brass Band Conductors AGM and convention at Bolton where 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is chairing a forum discussing the question of how to help the transition from school and youth bands to adult bands.

Hope you enjoy them all...

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Tameside

Report & Results: 2026 Tameside Whit Friday

June 2 • Foden's retain their Whit Friday title with a Presidential flourish in Tameside.


Scotland

Scottish banding battles for success

June 1 • A recent article in one of Scotland's leading newspapers has highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by its banding organisations.


Cross

Death of David Banwell

June 1 • The death has been announced of David Banwell, the widely respected former player, conductor and member of the 4BR team.


Whit Friday

Whitsuntide celebration on Radio 4

May 31 • The celebration of Whitsuntide in Saddleworth has been marked on Radio 4 — accompanied by brass band music


The Hepworth Band - Brassband Burgermusik Luzern

Saturday 30 May • Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 8DD


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 31 May • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Ithaca Brass

Tuesday 2 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Bedworth Brass

June 3 • Bedworth Brass (1st Section) require a talented and enthusiastic Principal Euphonium Player to join our hard working band. We are a friendly and sociable band and would love to welcome you into our banding family.


Chinnor Silver

June 2 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONIST (kit/tuned) to join us in an exciting time for this 1st Section band.We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up for each rehearsal)Good sensible book of concerts and contests possible foreign trip 2027.


Crewe Brass

June 2 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Ian Porthouse


Cornet soloist, clinician, conductor and adjudicator


               

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