*
banner

It’s a Dream in 2009 at Butlins

Butlins announce 2009 test pieces — all headed by Harrison's Dream.

Butlins
 

‘Harrison’s Dream’, by Peter Graham will be the set work for the championship section bands that will be competing at the 2009 Butlins Mineworkers Championships.

The work, which was written for the 2000 National Championships of Great Britain, has proved to be popular with performers and listeners alike since Cory’s win that day and it should provide a stern test for the bands.

Well in advance

The announcement of the set works for all the sections of the 2009 contest comes after Butlins listened to the request from competitors that they would like to know well in advance what pieces they would have to work up over the Christmas period – a difficult time for many bands to keep interest in rehearsals four months or so before the regional championships around the country.

It is another move that has been initiated following feedback from bands and listenersContest Controller, Brian Eggleshaw

Feedback

Contest Controller Brian Eggleshaw stated: "It is another move that has been initiated following feedback from bands and listeners."

Available on CD

In another move to make the test pieces available to the bands in plenty of time, a compilation CD of the works will be made available at this weekend’s contest for bands and players to purchase.

Stuart Pullin

Works by Richard Grantham, Rieks van der Velde and Philip Sparke will test the bands in the First, Second and Fourth Sections whilst the composer Stuart Pullin who sadly lost his battle against leukaemia in 2007, is remembered with his composition ‘Haydock Variations’ in the Third Section.

The test piece for all sections are as follows:

Championship:
‘Harrison’s Dream’ – Peter Graham (published by Gramercy Music)

First Section:
‘Hostile Skies’ – Richard Grantham (published by Lake Music)

Second Section:
‘Crusade’ – Rieks van der Velde (published by Lake Music)

Third Section:
‘Haydock Variations’ – Stuart Pullin (published by Gramercy Music)

Fourth Section:
’The Four Noble Truths’ – Philip Sparke (published by Anglo Music)

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    


lbrrt

Report & Result: 2026 National Championship of Great Britain

October 3 • Cory returns on the road to victory as Philip Harper's band reclaims National title honours at the Royal Albert Hall.


4BR Podcast

4BR Review — Episode 22

October 2 • A preview of the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall and the issues that arise....


NYBBGB

NYBBGB launches Young Composer competition

October 2 • Young composers aged 30 and under are being asked to create a new work for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


James Shepherd

New award to be presented at Royal Albert Hall

October 2 • A wonderful new award in memory of one of the greatest ever cornet players will be made at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Thundersley Brass Band

Tuesday 6 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Parlour Brass

Friday 9 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Chiswick Jazz Orchestra

Friday 9 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Kibworth Band

October 3 • Kibworth Band seeks a Musical Director to lead our rebuilding and drive musical progress. Based in South Leicestershire, we rehearse Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm. We compete in the Championship Section, moving to First Section from January 2027.


Epping Forest Band

October 2 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Olney Brass

September 30 • We are a friendly and committed THIRD SECTION band looking for:. . - CORNETS (Front & Back Row). - SOLO HORN. . Engagements and concerts in the Olney/Milton Keynes area.. Rehearsals in Milton Keynes MK15 (5 mins from J14 of M1) on Tuesdays 7.45-9.45pm.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd