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4BR — new features and articles

Plenty more to enjoy on 4BR at the moment — from new articles and reviews to lots more stuff to buy...

4BR
 

4BR has been busy once again bringing you features, articles and reviews to enjoy on the site.

Articles

25 years ago tragedy struck the young players of the Gwent Youth Band on a trip they were undertaking to play in Germany. The horrific bus crash left many seriously injured.

Iwan Fox looks back to the fateful day two and half decades ago:

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art877.asp


4BR Editor Iwan Fox listens to the new PolySteel CD to see if it measures up to its ambitious title, whilst Chris Thomas delves into the deep musical waters with the latest offering from euphonium virtuosi Tormod Flaten4BR

Band Spotlight

This month the 4BR ‘Band in the Spotlight’ is the BTM Band from South Wales. Formed in 1972, in September they will make their first ever appearance at the British Open Championships. 4BR looks at the band in detail.

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art876.asp


Gizmos and Gadgets

Meanwhile, five of the latest gizmos and gadgets from the brass band suppliers are given the once over. Strange and wonderful things they are to, so check out if there is anything there that takes your fancy.

http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art873.asp


Concert Reviews

As always the 4BR reviewers have been busy, with Peter Bale taking the opportunity to listen to a very impressive Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Malcolm Wood enjoying the delights of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass Reunion Concert.

See what the lads thought at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con512.asp

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con511.asp


CD Reviews

There are also a couple of new reviews to keep you up to date with the latest releases from bands and soloists.

4BR Editor Iwan Fox listens to the new PolySteel CD to see if it measures up to its ambitious title, whilst Chris Thomas delves into the deep musical waters with the latest offering from euphonium virtuosi Tormod Flaten.

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd370.asp

http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd369.asp


Go shopping

Finally, something to tempt you to add to your CD collections, with new releases from PolySteel, Grimethorpe and Steven Mead. Check them out at:

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=757

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=756

http://www.4barsrest.com/shopping/cd_detail.asp?id=753

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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


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Euphonium - With an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026, we're looking to fill our Solo Euphonium seat. If you're the strong player that we're interested in, please get in touch.


Cross Keys Silver Band

July 2 • Solo Horn - We're looking to recruit a new Solo Horn player to help shape the section in our 2nd section band in South Wales. We have an array of concerts, contests and community engagements lined up for the remainder of 2026.


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.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

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