*
banner

Judges amazed by standard

The judges who delberated over the Senior Solo Final to find the British Open Solo Champion for 2008 were amazed by the overall standard.

tameside council
 

Major Peter Parkes and David Read, the two men who deliberated over the Senior Solo Final to find the British Open Solo Champion for 2008 on Sunday were amazed by the overall standard of playing.

Never heard better

I've been doing this for quite a long time and I can say to you in all sincerity that I've never heard a group of soloists as good as theseMajor Peter Parkes

Prior to the announcement of the results, both men spoke about what they had been listening to. Major Peter Parkes said 'I've been doing this for quite a long time and I can say to you in all sincerity that I've never heard a group of soloists as good as these. They're terrific. What I'd like to say to the soloists is someone is going to be first and someone is going to be ninth. The one at the bottom could have won in some of the one's I've been to. Thank you very much, it's been excellent and what a shame, there's not people here to listen to them, they should be here shouldn't they?'.

Best ever

The Major's colleague, David Read concurred with what was said when he also gave his thoughts 'that's the finest playing we've heard in the final ever. You all ought to be congratulated. We've had to place them one-to-nine because that's our task' The judges managed to seperate the players with David saying 'the difference between them was so tiny. The standard was so high. The playing was so assured, so musical and the technique was absolutely fantastic with all of the performances but some were slightly better then others'.

David also praised the pianists who made the performances before adding 'we're all privileged to have heard this final tonight. I can't speak too highly for the performers, everyone of the nine performers was superb. We were amazed, everyone that came on was such a high standard'.

Glen's win

When the results were announced, Glen van Looy, the 17 year old euphonium player from Brass Band Heist took the title from Harmen Vanhoorne in second and Iain Culross in third.

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    


Krohnengen

Results: 2026 Oslo Brassfestival

April 29 • Krohnengen Brass secures the Olso Brassfestival title with section awards to Montebello Brass, Jolster Musikklag and Lismarka Mesnali Brass


Blackburn and Darwen

Results: 2026 Fleetwood Contest

April 29 • Blackburn & Darwen head the prize winners and take a step closer to the British Open at Fleetwood, with section wins for Poulton le Fylde, Clock Face Miners, Darwen Brass and Tewit Youth.


Kingdom Brass

Result: 2026 Fife Brass Brand Festival

April 29 • Kingdom Brass tops the entertainment in Dunfermline to claim the Fife Brass Band Festival title.


Unite

Results: 2026 Holme Valley Contest

April 29 • Unite the Union is in top hymn and test piece form in Holmfirth with section titles going to Hatfield & Askern Colliery and Shepherd Youth Band


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


Howard J Evans

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


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd