*
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    


Regional

Stevenage performances on replay on Wobplay

March 24 • If you want to find out how all the prizes were won in Stevenage on the weekend, the tune into wobplay and enjoy... and debate


Kapitol Promotions

And the National Final invitations go to...

March 24 • The provisional list of bands that will be invited to compete at the 2026 National Finals at London and York have now been completed.


Durham

Results: 2026 North of England Regional Championships

March 21 • EverReady, Durham Miners Institute, Felling, Barton Community and Driffield take the first four titles in Durham


Fulham

Results: 2026 London & SC Regional Championships

March 21 • Zone One, Fulham, Staines, Betteshanger and Crystal Palace claim titles at Stevenage


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


West Wycombe Brass Band

March 24 • West Wycombe Brass Band are looking for Horn players, any position, back row cornets, and Bb bass. Rehearsals Wednesday 7.45-9.45pm in own band hall. Non contesting. Give us a call or email.


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

March 24 • Cleethorpes Band are recruiting a new MD. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings and at the Northern of England contest secured 3rd place in the 4th section. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Enderby Band

March 24 • Enderby Band (Championship section) are seeking: 1 x BASS (Eb or Bb) and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working, friendly team, with promotion at the Spring Festival (Senior Cup) and a balanced diary of concerts & contests to look forward to.


Gordon Eddison

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd