*
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    


Brass Band Treize Etoiles

World Rankings: 2025 End of year update

January 7 • Treize Etoiles shine bright as Swiss stars claim historic top spot in 2025 World Rankings after a stellar season.


Composer Competition

Whelan makes magic to win UniBrass prize

January 7 • 'All Magic Comes at a Price' wins the 2026 UniBrass Composition Competition title.


Joey Wong

4BR Wednesday interview with Joey Wong

January 6 • We meet up with the 22 year old conductor from Hong Kong hoping to become the 2026 National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain Conductors Competition winner.


Winter Gardens

North West Regional line-ups announced

January 6 • 75 bands will kick off the 2026 Regional Championships in Blackpool in March.


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


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Mid Rhondda Band

January 6 • Mid Rhondda Band are currently looking for a trombone player and percussionists to join the team. We are a friendly, welcoming 3rd section band working towards competing in the Welsh Area in March. We also have a variety of events booked for 2026.


The Marple Band

January 6 • Bb Bass and Tuned Percussionist vacancies to join our fabulous band. We are a friendly, ambitious 2nd Section band, starting an exciting new year.


Christchurch Vintage Brass

January 6 • Bb Bass required for our friendly non contesting day time band. We rehearse Monday afternoons from 13:30 in Southbourne near Bournemouth with refreshments afterwards. MD Steve Chislett.


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd