News

NYBBS principals in driving seat during summer of fun

Friday 6 August, 2021 The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) is preparing to showcase the results of its hard work at its 2021 summer concert, which is to be streamed online. Read full article

Concern over Nationals update delay

Thursday 5 August, 2021 The organiser of the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain has faced criticism over the time taken to issue COVID-19-related guidance after one of the qualifying bands claimed it was left with no option but to withdraw amid the uncertainty. Read full article

New MD at Dodworth

Wednesday 4 August, 2021 Following the departure of the long-serving Eliot Darwin, Dodworth Colliery Band has appointed the experienced John Morahan as its new musical director. Read full article

Partnership creating brighter futures in Uganda

Tuesday 3 August, 2021 Two music organisations are to join forces to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the refugee settlement of Bidibidi, Northern Uganda. Read full article

New chairperson at conducting association

Tuesday 3 August, 2021 The Brass Band Conductors’ Association (BBCA) has appointed a new chairperson, following the decision by Mareika Gray to step down. Read full article

2022 return for Youth Champs

Monday 2 August, 2021 Following a COVID-enforced absence, youth bands will be able to enjoy a return to the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, which are to take place on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, 2022. Read full article

International entry for composition contest

Sunday 1 August, 2021 The deadline has passed for the 2021 BrookWright International Brass Ensemble Composition Competition, with 92 entries received from all over the world. Read full article

Foden's to provide Nationals preview

Saturday 31 July, 2021 Audience members preparing to attend the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain will be able to whet their appetites with a preview on the eve of the contest, led by Foden’s Band. Read full article

Brighouse and Rastrick in past member hunt

Saturday 31 July, 2021 Previous players with Brighouse and Rastrick Band are being invited to get involved in the organisation’s massed band concert later in 2021. Read full article

Countdown on to NYBBS 2021

Thursday 29 July, 2021 Excitement is building as more than 100 young people from all over Scotland prepare to descend on Perthshire for the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland (NYBBS) summer courses. Read full article

Review: The Wellerman - Pennine Music

Thursday 29 July, 2021 The Wellerman is a maritime folk song that went viral on video sharing platform TikTok in early 2021. Read full article

2021 British Open postponed

Wednesday 28 July, 2021 The 2021 British Open Brass Band Championship has been postponed, amid continuing uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full article

Review: Jim Hayes - Jonny Midnight: The Edge of Forever

Wednesday 28 July, 2021 Jonny Midnight - The Edge of Forever | Jim Hayes (cornet) with the cooperation band | Conductor: Michael Fowles Read full article

Fairey welcomes cornet trio to line-up

Wednesday 28 July, 2021 The Fairey Band has welcomed three cornet players to the ranks with James Atkins, Alicia Davis and Matthew Hall all joining the section. Read full article

Band Camp in funding boost

Monday 26 July, 2021 The UniBrass Foundation is to benefit from an Arts Council England grant of nearly £15,000 as it seeks to deliver an exciting new playing and social experience for young musicians. Read full article

Features

The conductors' toolkit - part three

Wednesday 4 August, 2021 In the third and final part of his series The Conductors’ Toolkit, ‘master builder’ Philip Harper writes exclusively for British Bandsman about two more crucial areas of consideration when it comes to picking up the pieces of a banding building project left largely untouched during the pandemic. Read full article

David Pogson: The player's player

Monday 2 August, 2021 David Pogson’s playing career spans a remarkable 64 years and counting, 23 of which saw him perform as part of Black Dyke Band. Read full article

The return of Jonny Midnight

Sunday 25 July, 2021 Jim Hayes chats to British Bandsman editor Mark Good about his latest solo offering, his musical life to date and his experiences of the past 16 months. Read full article

The brass band time capsule - Sheona Wade

Wednesday 30 June, 2021 In an exciting new series, Martyn Ramsay examines some of the major moments in banding history. Read full article

The conductors' toolkit - part two

Sunday 27 June, 2021 In the second of his series of articles, Cory Band’s musical director Philip Harper continues to examine the idea of the conductor as a master builder. Read full article

UniBrass Championships 2021 - Live Comments

Saturday 26 June, 2021 Live coverage of the Unibrass Championships from The University of Sheffield Read full article

Hanging up his trombone

Tuesday 22 June, 2021 Brett Baker chats to bass trombonist Frank Mathison about his distinguished life in music. Read full article

A fitting tribute

Wednesday 16 June, 2021 Micah Parsons has shone a light on the story of his great-grandfather, as part of an innovative project with brass music at its heart. Read full article

The conductors' toolkit

Saturday 12 June, 2021 Cory Band's Philip Harper presents the first article in a new series called The Conductors' Toolkit. Read full article

Composer Cast: Jared McCunnie

Thursday 10 June, 2021 Jared McCunnie is an Australian composer and arranger who has written for brass band, concert band, big band, and smaller ensembles. Read full article

Hopping back into the saddle

Tuesday 8 June, 2021 Trumpet star Matilda Lloyd on her musical career to date, including her experiences with brass bands, and resuming her fast-paced international career as COVID restrictions relax. Read full article

The men from the Guards

Wednesday 2 June, 2021 Tim Mutum looks at the relationship majors from the ranks of the military had with the demanding players of Black Dyke Band. Read full article

Fountain of youth

Sunday 30 May, 2021 Elland Silver Youth Band's inspirational MD Samantha Harrison chats about keeping momentum going during the pandemic, reflects on the band’s highlights to date and looks, with optimism, to the coming weeks and months. Read full article

Racking up the miles

Saturday 22 May, 2021 Bass trombonist Adrian Hirst chats fundraising, his distinguished performing career and the accident that changed his life. Read full article

Creating a legacy

Wednesday 19 May, 2021 Foden's Band's principal cornet player and band manager, Mark Wilkinson, chats to British Bandsman editor Mark Good about the organisation's latest funding success, the upcoming online Whit Friday March Contest and much more. Read full article