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About the Rankings

Since the world rankings were first established on 4barsrest and then British Bandsman, they have become one of the biggest talking points in banding. So how do they work?

Naturally, they haven't been met with universal approval, but we are delighted with the overall response to them and that they are now considered the 'Official' World Rankings in many quarters, including with some high-profile contest organisers.

How it started

The system was initially developed using contest results between 1994 and 2001, with the major contests from 1990 being used as the reference point to help us establish an initial top 50, upon which subsequent rankings would be based. Without going into too much mathematical detail, at the heart of the system are the results of the following contests with the approximate current (May 2015) value of the prizes in brackets.

  • National Championships of Great Britain (500 for 1st, 333 for 2nd, 222 for 3rd down to around 0.25 for 20th)
  • British Open (450 for 1st, 300 for 2nd, 200 for 3rd down to around 0.7 for 17th)
  • European Championships (450 to around 5 for 12th)
  • All-England Masters International (60 to around 0.2 for 15th)
  • Brass in Concert (350 to around 6 for 11th)
  • Scottish Open (80 to around 0.3 for 16th)
  • Grand Shield (100 to around 0.05 for 20th)
  • Regionals (Championship section 1st prizes range between 12 and 120 depending on the relative strength of each area. Prizes awarded to all sections)
  • National Championships outside UK (Championship section 1st prizes range between 3 and 60 depending on the relative strength of each nation, prizes awarded to all sections)
  • Other contests reward up to 7 prizes ranging from 0.3 to around 20 points for the winners, again depending on the relative strength of the field.

Generally...

As a general rule, there is a relationship between the overall strength of the competing bands at any contest and the value of points available there. These are calculated as that event's proportion of the overall strength of the strongest contest, currently the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall. The points awarded always diminish through time with today's points being worth exactly double last year's, 4 times the year before last, 8 times the year before that etc…

It is a dynamic system and we admit that it may not be easy to understand the workings of it, but we hope that the inclusion of the World Rankings in 4barsrest.com enhances your enjoyment of the site and that it provides your band with encouragement and motivation to compete at as high a level as possible.

We look forward to continuing to receive your comments/criticism on the system, which will always attempt to answer, eventually.



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Ocean Brass - Segalula A Capella

Saturday 31 May • Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishop's Waltham SO32 1ED


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Saturday 31 May • The Bridge United Reformed Church. Bridge Street. Otley, LS21 1RW LS21 1RW


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Crewe Brass

May 22 • We are looking for a CORNET player (position negotiable) 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


Rainford Band

May 21 • NW Area Championship Section Rainford Band are now accepting expressions of interest for a Musical Director to take us for all rehearsals, concerts and contests. We rehearse Mondays and Thursdays 19.45 - 21.45 in our own band room in Rainford, St Helens.


Fulham Brass Band

May 21 • Fulham Brass Band is currently looking for a 2nd Trombone, 2nd Euphonium and back row Bb Cornet to complete our friendly, ambitious band under the leadership of Musical Director, Sam Hairsine.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

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