News

2022 Australian Nationals postponed

Friday 28 January, 2022 The 2022 Australian National Band Championships have been delayed, amid continuing uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full article

Daws' delight as she's Berlin bound

Friday 28 January, 2022 Trombonist Isobel Daws has been awarded a place at the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Read full article

SBBA in £70k funding boost

Thursday 27 January, 2022 The Scottish Brass Band Association has been handed a major funding boost after being awarded £70,000 by Creative Scotland. Read full article

New solo trombone at GUS

Wednesday 26 January, 2022 The GUS Band has welcomed Matthew Brown to the position of solo trombone. Read full article

Gregson to be Composer of the Week

Wednesday 26 January, 2022 The music of Edward Gregson is to hit the airwaves in February, with the esteemed musician set to feature as BBC Radio 3’s Composer of the Week. Read full article

2022 West of England Regional cancelled

Tuesday 25 January, 2022 The 2022 West of England Regional Championships have been cancelled, after the venue due to host the event became unavailable. Read full article

New assistant MD at Staffordshire

Monday 24 January, 2022 There’s a new conductor at The Staffordshire Band, following the appointment of Mark Glover as assistant musical director. Read full article

Kinneil quartet honoured

Sunday 23 January, 2022 Four brass players from the same band are the latest recipients of SBBA life membership awards. Read full article

IBB Media to showcase 2022 UniBrass Championships

Saturday 22 January, 2022 The curtain will soon rise on the prestigious 2022 UniBrass Championships - and IBB Media Ltd is working to ensure brass music fans far and wide will be able to savour the action. Read full article

Judges confirmed for 2022 Scottish Championships

Friday 21 January, 2022 The adjudicators for the Scottish Championships – which will take place in Perth Concert Hall over the weekend of March 12 and 13 – have been announced by the Scottish Brass Band Association. Read full article

New conductor at Reg Vardy

Friday 21 January, 2022 The Reg Vardy Band has appointed Chris Shanks to the position of resident conductor, following the departure of John Roberts due to family and work commitments. Read full article

New principal cornet at Carlton Main

Friday 21 January, 2022 There is a new principal cornet player at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, following the appointment of Seb Williman to the prestigious position. Read full article

RNCM launches free resource for conductors

Thursday 20 January, 2022 A new digital learning resource has been launched by the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) aimed at helping aspiring conductors of all levels of experience. Read full article

Late changes for 2022 RNCM Festival

Wednesday 19 January, 2022 The RNCM Brass Band Festival has been given the green light to proceed in 2022 – but the prestigious event has undergone a late reshuffle amid continued disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full article

AmJam set for take-off

Tuesday 18 January, 2022 The progress continues for the successful Amersham Band organisation, which is celebrating the launch of a new strand – with members welcome. Read full article

Features

A most auspicious concert - part two

Thursday 27 January, 2022 Professor Stephen Allen returns with his exploration of the connection between the world of brass bands and the composer, Imogen Holst. Read full article

The Brass Band Time Capsule - David Thornton

Thursday 20 January, 2022 The turn of the millennium ushered in a new period for Black Dyke Band, as Nicholas Childs looked to set out his stall as musical director. Read full article

Flowers wins Butlin's bragging rights

Saturday 15 January, 2022 The UK contesting calendar began in earnest, courtesy of the Butlin’s Open Brass Band Festival. Read full article

Brass bands and the railways

Thursday 13 January, 2022 Brass bands and the railways have long been entwined. From bands marking significant milestones on railways to trains carrying bandspeople up and down the land, the two have been inextricably linked from the early days of the musical form. Read full article

Under the spotlight: Neil Brownless

Monday 27 December, 2021 Conductor Neil Brownless is a musician who is going places. Rob Tompkins finds out more about the talented musician. Read full article

Column: Liv Appleton - The gift that keeps on giving

Thursday 23 December, 2021 As the end of the year approaches, British Bandsman columnist Liv Appleton thought it was an opportune time to reflect on the best that 2021 had to offer. Read full article

RNCM Festival set for 2022 return

Wednesday 15 December, 2021 Following a COVID-enforced absence, the Royal Northern College of Music has unveiled the full programme for the 2022 RNCM Brass Band Festival. Read full article

Opinion: Will Omicron be a hammer blow for banding?

Monday 13 December, 2021 Martin Gernon ponders what might be in store for banding over the coming months. Read full article

Magnificent seven

Sunday 5 December, 2021 Eoin Tonner looks back at the Scottish Open, while Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale reflects on the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge. Read full article

Danish National a delight

Tuesday 30 November, 2021 Martin Gernon reports from Aarhus on a contest which is fast earning a reputation as one of the best events in the brass band calendar. Read full article

2021 Scottish Challenge: live

Sunday 28 November, 2021 Live coverage of the Scottish Challenge from Perth Concert Hall Read full article

2021 Scottish Open: live

Friday 26 November, 2021 Live coverage of the 2021 Scottish Open from Perth Concert Hall. Read full article

Morris Motors: long gone but not forgotten

Friday 26 November, 2021 Brass band historian Tim Mutum traces the story of the now defunct Morris Motors Band, whose band bus is a visual reminder of the once proud industry support of brass bands. Read full article

2021 Brass in Concert Championship: live

Saturday 20 November, 2021 Live coverage of the 44th Brass in Concert Championship from Sage Gateshead Read full article

The brass band time capsule - Gwyn Thomas

Thursday 18 November, 2021 Gwyn Thomas caught the banding bug as an eight-year-old sitting in the audience at the National Brass Band Championships. Twenty-seven years later, he would play a major role in a win at the same event that would seal his band’s place in the history books. Read full article