*
banner

Brighouse Festival of Brass

There will be plenty to enjoy at this year's Brighouse Festival of Brass — including the reformed JSVB and the James Madison University Band.

jAMESD mADISON
 

This year’s Brighouse March & Hymn Tune Contest on Sunday, 6th July, promises another great day for all brass enthusiasts from near and far.

JSVB

This event is the finale for the Brighouse Festival of Brass which begins on Friday evening, the 4th July in the Central Methodist Church, with a re-union concert by the James Shepherd Versatile Brass.

This team from the 1970’s built a terrific reputation for itself and it is just 30 years in July that JSVB gave a concert in Brighouse, before its 14 day tour of Australia.

This event is the finale for the Brighouse Festival of Brass which begins on Friday evening, the 4th July in the Central Methodist Church, with a re-union concert by the James Shepherd Versatile BrassOrganisers

Same line up

The team is the same, except for Kevin Edwards who replaced the late Harvey Whiteley after this fabulous trip down under. Frank Renton (BBC “Listen to the Band”) who fronted the group in those days will conduct, with the famous players who made up the group. The night promises to be a sell-out concert and one to capture the imagination.

American visitors

The following evening in the same Church, Brighouse Lions have booked the James Madison University Brass Band from USA, conductor Kevin Stees, to share the stage with the local United Co-op Band.

Guest Soloists Katrina Marzella and Brendan Wheeler will be featured. This annual concert, which was given last year by the Easington Colliery Band is always popular with the Brighouse people. Both these bands take part in the contest on Sunday.

Contest Day

The contest on the Sunday begins at 1pm with the Youth Section and then up to 25 bands will play for the many prizes. Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) Ltd have donated a “Xeno” cornet for the best principal cornet of the day.

Non-stop music is the order of the day and just before the results The Easington Colliery Band, conductor Stuart Gray will give a short concert in the Town Hall Square.

Sponsors

The main sponsors are Kirklees Music of Brighouse this year celebrating 25 years in business.

Sponsorship this year comes from Yamaha-Kemble Music, Kirklees Music, Calderdale MBC, Kershaw’s Garden Centre, Blakeley’s Fish Restaurant & Take-away, Concept Merchandise Ltd., Daniel & Hirst Estate Agents, The Association of Band Traders, Band Supplies (Leeds) & Weatherspoons.

More information sales@kirkleesmusic.co.uk

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    


wobplay

New ownership announced for World of Brass, Wobplay and World of Sound

July 1 • The trio of leading brass band music brands have been bought as an independent business by Adam Goldsmith and Nicki Tonge.


Spring Festival

Venues and dates for 2027 & 2028 Spring Festival announced

July 1 • Town Hall Birmingham and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will host the 2027 and 2028 British Open Spring Festival contests as long term plans are put in place following feedback.


Cory

Cory set for Tibetan title challenge in Kerkrade

June 30 • The Welsh champion will head to the World Music Contest armed with a third adventure of Tintin courtesy of the pseudonym inspired Paul Raphael.


Score

Kapitol looking for York judges...

June 30 • Kapitol Promotions and the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators are looking for people to start their judging journey in York in September.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Air Force Squadronaires

Friday 3 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 5 July • St Alfege Church . Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Crewe Brass

July 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET 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.


Crewe Brass

July 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS 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.


Crewe Brass

July 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS 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.


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd