The international panel of judges who will decide who will win the 2019 'Young Brass Award' has been announced.

Dr Robert Childs, trombone virtuoso Lito Fontana and Kate Moore, principal trumpet of the BBC Concert Orchestra will decide who takes the prestigious honour at the event which will take place at The Stoller Hall in Manchester on Sunday 31st March.

Finalists

The four finalists are Siobhan Bates (horn), Tobias Reifer (euphonium), Peter McDonough (euphonium) and Holly Clarke (trumpet), who will be accompanied by the National Champion Foden's, who will also give a short concert prior to the results.

For the first time in its prestigious history, the world renowned International Tchaikovsky Competition will include a brass category.

The competition first took place in 1958 with specialities for violin and piano, and has been held every four years since with further instrumentation added.

It is regarded as one of the world's foremost soloist competitions, but until now brass had not been included.

Remarkable

It provides a remarkable opportunity for young soloists to embark upon high profile international careers. former winners and finalists include pianists Van Cliburn and Vladimir Ashkenazy, cellists, Mario Brunello and Antonio Meneses and singers Vladimir Atlantov and Deborah Voigt.

Participants must be aged over 16 (with an age limit of 32), with the brass category following a strict application process, limited to 48 brass players from around the world. Instruments to be included are trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba.

Bousfield

The Chairman of the jury is conductor Valery Gergiev, whilst the first prize is rumoured to be $30,000. The Chairman of the Brass Category is trombone virtuoso Ian Bousfield who exclusively told 4BR that the addition of brass is being seen as a remarkable move.

"To have a brass category included for the first time, and to be asked to Chair its jury is a great honour for me and an enormous opportunity for the most talented young brass players in the world."

Find out more

The XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition will be held in Moscow and St. Petersburg in the second half of June, 2019, with the closing date for entries is 5th April.

To find out more go to: https:/­/­tchaikovskycompetition.com/­en/

Result:

Third Section:

Test Piece: First Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst arr. Sydney Herbert)
Adjudicators: Sheona Wade & Brian Rostron

1. Taff Vale (Gareth Ritter)*
2. Usk (James Jones)*
3. Briton Ferry Silver (Jeff Pearce)
4. RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
5. Ynyshir (Gary Davies)

Best Instrumentalist: Nigel Stallard (soprano) RAF St Athan

*Top two bands qualify for National Final

Results:

First Section:

Test Piece: Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt & Alan Fernie

1. J36 Brass (Andrew Warriner)*
2. Ripon City (Mark Sidwell)*
3. Kirkbymoorside Town (Sarah Woodward)
4. Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
5. GT Group Peterlee (Ian Langthorne)
6. Ashington Colliery (Nigel Steadman)

*Top two bands qualify for National Final

Best Trombone: J36 Brass
Best Basses: J36 Brass
Best Percusion: J36 Brass

Third Section:

Test Piece: First Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst)
Saturday 16th March
Adjudicators: Dr Brett Baker & Stan Lippeatt

1. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Phillip Tait)*
2. Trimdon Concert Brass (William Harrison)*
3. Ellington Colliery (Claire Winter)
4. Knaresborough Silver (Nick Garrett)
5. Jayess Newbiggin (Andrew Griffiths)
6. Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)
7. Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans)
8. Swinton & District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)

*Top two bands qualify for National Final

Best Percussion: Bearpark & Esh
Best Cornet: Nicola Evans (soprano) — Bearpark & Esh

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: Stantonbury Festival (Ray Steadman-Allan)
Adjudicators: Benjamin Richeton & Anne Crookston

1. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)*
2. Burneside Brass (Laurie Johnston)*
3. Penrith Town Band (Ian Butterworth)
4. Spennymoor Town (Fiona Casewell)
5. Marske (James Chisholm)
6. Backworth Colliery (Daniel Maverick)
8. Lanchester (John Weirs)
8. Craghead Colliery (Stephen Goddard)

*Top two bands qualify for National Final

Best Principal Cornet: Tewit Silver
Best Euphonium: Penrith

The latest Band Supplies — 4barsrest.com World Rankings show changes across almost the entire table following the recent round of regional championships.

Wins for Foden's, Brighouse and Rastrick, Desford Colliery, Flowers, EYMS, Tredegar and the newly-named cooperation band and Friary Brass see all eight regional champions set up for a tilt at the National title in October.

The other contests held since the last update were:

NEMBBA Contest — won by Hatfield and Askern Colliery
ODBBA Winter Contest — won by Kidlington Concert.

The next update will follow the European Championships in Montreux, where Cory and Brighouse and Rastrick will be flying the flag for the UK against the rest of the continent's champion bands. With plenty of points up for grabs we can be sure of a few movers and shakers next month.

Top 10 bands

1. Cory
2. Valaisia Brass Band
3. Brighouse and Rastrick
4. Eikanger-Bjørsvik
5. Foden's
6. Black Dyke
7. Tredegar
8. Whitburn
9. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
10. Grimethorpe Colliery

To view all the ranked bands, go to:
www.4barsrest.com/­rankings/

BBC SOUNDS OF BRASS — Worldwide

BROADCAST ON BBC RADIO CORNWALL, DEVON, GUERNSEY & JERSEY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING @ 7.00pm and on BRISTOL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET SOUND, SWINDON & WILTSHIRE Sunday 1.00am to 2.00am.

PRODUCED AND PRESENTED WEEKLY BY PHILLIP HUNT since 1985.

AVAILABLE LIVE AND LISTEN AGAIN EVERY WEEK ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB THROUGH THE BBC RADIO iPLAYER.

Live on Sundays at 20.05 or 12am British Time or at any time for 30 DAYS after the Broadcast.
To hear this week's programme instantly go to the Web Site of the BBC Local Radio Station you are listening to and click on Live or Listen Again, then Schedule.

For those listeners who can hear the programme on their TV through the Freeview Radio Channel you can now set your system to record the programme on a weekly basis by going to the Radio Programme Guide and finding our broadcast time.

At the moment the BBC Local Radio Stations on the Freeview Radio Channel can only be accessed within the individual Radio Station areas, which is why some numbers are duplicated.

The Freeview numbers for the Stations available are, BBC Radio Bristol 719, Radio Jersey 719, Radio Devon 720, Radio Guernsey 721, Radio Cornwall 721, Radio Wiltshire 721, Radio Somerset 722, Radio Gloucestershire 735.

You can also listen to and download the programme on your Smart Phone by downloading the BBC iPlayer APP.

Requests and Comments welcome at E Mail:

Telephone: 01752 843919

Check the Sounds of Brass Blog @ www.sofbblog.wordpress.com every week for programme details, brass band articles and information.

Sunday 31st March 2019:

Check the Sounds of Brass Blog @ www.sofbblog.wordpress.com every week for programme details, brass band articles and information.

IMPERIAL ECHOES (Arnold Safroni arr. James Ord Hume)

SPAIN (Chick Corea arr. Peter Meechan)

HAIL ANCIENT WALLS (Charles Gounod arr. Howard Snell)
Soloist: Glynn Williams

MOON RIVER (Henry Mancini arr. Alan Fernie)

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF SPARTACUS (Khachaturian arr. Howard Snell)
Foden's Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (Gioacchino Rossini arr. George Hawkins)
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

OBERLAND VARIATIONS (Roy Newsome)
Soloist: Brett Baker
Ratby Co-operative Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

RUSSIAN DANCE (Oskar Bohme arr. Simon Kerwin)
Point of Ayr Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

CLAIR DE LUNE (Claude Debussy arr. James McFadyen)
Soloist: Jim Hayes

INTO THE LIGHT (Philip Wilby)
Co-operative Funeralcare Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

The popular Wessex Band Summer School will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

It was set up in 1970 by John Grinnell and Andrew Pitts as a youth course along with the respected conductor Courtney Bosanko.

Annual event

Over the years it has grown in size with over 200 musicians of all ages and abilities now joining the annual event in the beautiful Dorset countryside in Sturminster Newton.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, celebrations are being held on the evening of Friday 2nd August on the school field of Sturminster Newton High School.

Conductors, tutors, students and parents who have been involved in the course, past and present, are invited to come and help mark the occasion by taking part or coming to listen to a special Reunion Band, whilst the evening will be full of reminiscing and catching up with old friends, who it is hoped will bring along pictures, memories, videos or stories to help mark the occasion.

Finest musicians

Course Musical Director Michael Fowles told 4BR: "I joined the course originally as a student and I have always loved the enthusiasm and commitment of those involved.

I feel that the tutors and conductors who have been part of the course past and present are the finest musicians and I'm honoured to be involved with such a fantastic course.

As we move forward we want to ensure we keep the essence of why the course was set up and celebrate 50 years of music making."

Fantastic

Course Chairman Matt Stimpson added: "50 years is a long time to keep a course thriving and marking such an achievement with the people who have made the course so fantastic for so long is key to our celebrations.

The 2019 course will continue as it always does under the watchful eye of Michael Fowles and the stunning team of tutors."

Further details

Anyone who would like to ask questions, send in photos, videos or memories or if you would like to join the reunion band can email

This year's course runs from 30th July to 2nd August. Further details can be found at: http:/­/­www.wessexband.com

Cory Band has announced details of its prestigious 'Composition Prize', which will once again be held in partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) and generously sponsored by Kapitol Promotions.

New music

MD Philip Harper told 4BR:"The creation of new music for brass band is something I'm very passionate about, which is why Cory and RWCMD launched the Composition Prize back in 2015.

Now in its fifth year we have successfully generated excellent works for the whole movement to share, and I would encourage any composers to consider entering our competition, as the exposure and commercial foothold which constitutes part of the prize is certainly very valuable."

Liz Lane

Phil revealed that the respected composer Liz Lane will join the band at the college for the day, working with young composers on composition skills and techniques which will lead to the creation of a new piece to be performed the same day by the world's number 1 ranked band.

He added: "That's an exciting new addition to the event, and will enable young composers to create a work which will have an immediate performance by Cory."

5 minutes

Further details about participation in the workshop will be released on 4BR, although entries are now sought from composers for the Composition Prize.

They must provide a work of no more than 5 minutes duration.

Three works will be selected by Philip Harper to be performed by Cory Band at the Dora Stoutzker Hall at RWCMD (3.00pm on Sunday 30th June) before a panel will decide the winner, which will immediately receive a second performance and be published and recorded.

Performances

Philip concluded: "Last year's winning entry 'The Spirit of St Louis' by Andrew Wainwright has now been performed over 20 times by Cory all over the world, and this is only one of the opportunities which winning the competition offers.

This year we hope to create a further buzz around brass band composition with the addition of the workshops with Liz Lane, and both Liz and I are really hoping that we can attract more female entrants this year. I hope this will inspire the creative juices, and I look forward to seeing plenty of entries before the closing date of 3rd June."

Philip and Cory have created an introductory video about how to score for brass band, which proved extremely popular last year.

Entry and video

The video can be found on Cory Band's YouTube channel or directly from this link https:/­/­www.youtube.com/­watch?v=lGyuehvBFbE&feature=youtu.be

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.coryband.com The closing date for entries is Monday 3rd June

Besson artists Roger Webster and Philippe Schwartz will take part in brass band development course in Germany this week directed by the respected teacher, conductor, professional trombonist Prof. Chris Houlding.

Three day course

Supported by Besson, the three day course takes place at the Folkwang University of Arts Essen, beginning on Thursday 21st March and will include sectional rehearsals and coaching sessions culminating in a final concert on Saturday 23rd March.

Repertoire will include favourites from Wilfred Heaton, Jacob Vilhelm Larsen, Paul Lovatt Cooper, Howard Snell, John Williams and Philip Sparke.

The University of Huddersfield (UoH) has been rated the 25th best institution in the world for performing arts by the QS World University Subject Rankings.

The Quacquarelli Symonds rating system takes a detailed look at an institution by analysing more than 15,000 departments in over 1,200 institutions, enabling potential students to identify the strengths of the Universities.

Part

UoH's Head of Brass, Richard Ward told 4BR: "The Music Department plays its part in this, and we're all pleased with gaining this excellent rating.

It places us highest in the North of England, ninth in the UK and up there with major international institutions with such as Columbia University in New York, Stamford, Yale, UCLA in California and the Universities of Chicago and Sydney.

It's a good reminder that many great things are happening closer to home!"

Sunday Bandstand: 17th March 2019

Produced and presented by Chris Helme. For further information please see www.chrishelme-brighouse.org.uk and follow the Sunday Bandstand links for this play list and previous shows dating back to 2014.

My website also has a review section and a brass band nostalgia section.

Your CD

Has your band produced a CD this year?

I would be very pleased to play tracks from it if you have. Or have you a burning nostalgia question about the world of brass bands, if you have then please contact me via e-mail:

Click this link:

https:/­/­www.mixcloud.com/­ChrisHelme/­sunday-bandstand-17-march-2019/

Playlist:

Rhythm and Blues (Philip Sparke)
Opening for the weekly show
Foden's Band
MD: Michael Fowles (2010)

San Marino March (George Hawkins)
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
MD: George Thompson (1970)

Prelude and Jubilate (Darrol Barry)
Scottish Co-op Band
MD: Allan Ramsey (2007)

Pie Jesu (Gabriel Faure arr. Roger Harvey)
Soloist: Tracey Redfern
Halle Brass Ensemble (1997)

Pel Mel (W. Hogarth Lear)
Buy as you View Cory Band
MD: Dr. Robert Childs (2006)

I only have eyes for you (Harry Warren)
James Shepherd Versatile Brass (1976)

Dance of the Buffoons (Tchaikovsky arr. Dave Timmins)
Leyland Band
MD: Russell Gray (2006)

East Anglian Impressions (Jacob de Haan)
Soli Deo Gloria
MD: Jan de Haan (1982)

Concerto for Trumpet (Harry James)
Soloist: Gerard Schwarz
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
MD: Elgar Howarth (1977)

Trittico for Brass Band- (James Curnow)
Christie Tyler Cory Band
MD: Brian Howard (1989)

Royal Decree March (Walter English)
Sun Life (Stanshawe) Band
MD: Roy Newsome (1979)

Elan (Philip Harper)
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
MD: Dr. Roy Newsome (2000)

My Fair Lady (Frederick Loewe arr. Alan Fernie)
Tredegar Town Band
MD: Nicholas Childs (2008)

Everywhere at Once (Bertrand Moren)
La Condordia Vertroz (Switzerland)
MD: Bertrand Moren (2018)

In Dublin's Fair City (Roy Newsome)
Soloist: Graham McEvoy
Besses o'th' Barn Band
MD: Roy Newsome (1980)

Wingates March (J. A. Greenwood)
Wingates Band
MD: David Thornton (2011)

Ruy Blas Op.95 Overture (Felix Mendelssohn arr. Gordon Langford)
Massed bands of Foden's Motor Works, Fairey Aviation and Morris Motors
MD: Harry Mortimer (1969)

No More Blues (Kim Scharnberg)
Carol Jarvis; Becky Smith; Becca Harper; Lorna McDonald (2002)
Bones Apart Trombone Quartet

Star and Stripes Forever (Sousa)
Bones Apart Trombone Quartet:
Carol Jarvis; Becky Smith; Becca Harper & Lorna McDonald — (2002)
Bones Apart Trombone Quartet

Kyrie for the Magdalene/ Chevaliers de Sangreal
Black Dyke Band
MD: Dr. Nicholas Childs (2008)

Pateley Bridge March (Roy Newsome)
Hepworth Band
MD: Norman Law (1999)

Rhythm and Blues (Philip Sparke)
Closing for weekly show
Foden's Band
MD: Michael Fowles (2010)

Enjoy the show....

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced the appointed of Manus Carey to the new role of Deputy Principal (Performance & Programmes).

Manus joined the RNCM in 2017 as Director of Performance, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as Executive Producer at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO).

As Director of Performance, he presided over a number of significant innovations in student performance, and more recently, instigated 'Lab Week', an initiative that provides students with the chance to step out of the practice room, collaborate together and create something new.

Creative

He said: "The RNCM is such an extraordinarily creative, inspiring and forward-thinking environment and I'm delighted to be extending my role here."

In his new role he will assume strategic leadership and responsibility for the College's academic programmes as well as performance activities, aligning the RNCM's performance programme with the academic training needs of students.

Important role

Professor Linda Merrick, RNCM Principal, told 4BR: "I'm thrilled that Manus has accepted this important role at the College.

His wealth of experience, together with the dedication and commitment he has already shown to our staff and students provides the perfect foundation to ensure that the RNCM remains at the forefront of music education."

Richard Evans has always been a musician well worth listening to — be it on a contest or concert stage as well as when he has been regaling friends and brass band supporters with tales and stories from his amazing career.

Still beating

Now you can enjoy them yourself with a special double CD of him talking about his life, entitled, 'Richard Evans still beating', which he has recorded with his great friend Keith Farrington of Music House Productions.

It was recently launched at a special concert with Foden's Band, as part of their fundraising campaign for their appearance at the 2020 European Championships in Palanga.

So why not treat yourself and sit back and enjoy one of the brass band movement's finest entertainers speaking directly to you about highlights from his life…

To purchase

https:/­/­www.musichouseproductions.co.uk/­product-category/­richard-evans/

Eikanger's Bjorsvik's preparations for their appearance at the forthcoming European Championships in Montruex have been given a domestic vote of confidence from the very highest level.

Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg has congratulated the band in a special recorded address ahead of their 70th anniversary jubilee concert which takes place at the Grieghallen in Bergen on Saturday 30th March.

Tribute

In it she pays tribute their outstanding achievements and the quality of their musical performances from the time they were formed in March 1949.

She also reserves special praise for not just the many wonderful performers who have played for the multiple Norwegian and European champion over the years, but also the organisation behind them over decades and its commitment to helping inspire and develop new generations of brass band players throughout the nation.

BBC SOUNDS OF BRASS — Worldwide

BROADCAST ON BBC RADIO CORNWALL, DEVON, GUERNSEY & JERSEY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING @ 7.00pm and on BRISTOL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOMERSET SOUND, SWINDON & WILTSHIRE Sunday 1.00am to 2.00am.

PRODUCED AND PRESENTED WEEKLY BY PHILLIP HUNT since 1985.

AVAILABLE LIVE AND LISTEN AGAIN EVERY WEEK ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB THROUGH THE BBC RADIO iPLAYER.

Live on Sundays at 20.05 or 12am British Time or at any time for 30 DAYS after the Broadcast.
To hear this week's programme instantly go to the Web Site of the BBC Local Radio Station you are listening to and click on Live or Listen Again, then Schedule.

For those listeners who can hear the programme on their TV through the Freeview Radio Channel you can now set your system to record the programme on a weekly basis by going to the Radio Programme Guide and finding our broadcast time.

At the moment the BBC Local Radio Stations on the Freeview Radio Channel can only be accessed within the individual Radio Station areas, which is why some numbers are duplicated.

The Freeview numbers for the Stations available are, BBC Radio Bristol 719, Radio Jersey 719, Radio Devon 720, Radio Guernsey 721, Radio Cornwall 721, Radio Wiltshire 721, Radio Somerset 722, Radio Gloucestershire 735.

You can also listen to and download the programme on your Smart Phone by downloading the BBC iPlayer APP.

Requests and Comments welcome at E Mail:

Telephone: 01752 843919

Check the Sounds of Brass Blog @ www.sofbblog.wordpress.com every week for programme details, brass band articles and information.

Sunday 7th April 2019:

Check the Sounds of Brass Blog @ www.sofbblog.wordpress.com every week for programme details, brass band articles and information.

FANFARE FOR THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON (Arthur Bliss)
KENILWORTH (Arthur Bliss)
PAGEANTRY (Herbert Howells)
Brighouse & Rastrick
Conductor: Dr David Thornton

CROWN IMPERIAL (William Walton arr. Denis Wright)
Grimethorpe Colliery
Conductor: Garry Cutt

SCARBOROUGH FAIR (Traditional arr. Goff Richards)
Soloist: Michelle Ibbotson
Cory Band
Conductor: Dr Robert Childs

TOCCATA from THE SEVERN SUITE (Edward Elgar)
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Conductor: Bramwell Tovey

ENGLISH DANCES (Malcolm Arnold)
Grimethorpe Colliery
Conductor: Elgar Howarth

ST CLEMENTS (Clement C Scholfield)
Soloist: David Daws
The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army
Bandmaster: Dr Stephen Cobb

10 members of Renfrew Burgh Band will be taking part in a special 'It's A Knockout' on Sunday 31st March at Paisley Rugby Club(1.00pm)

The event is all in aid of Accord Hospice, with the band team entitled, 'The Renfrew Burgh Bandits'.

Support

You can help support their endeavors at: https:/­/­www.justgiving.com/­fundraising/­renfrewburghbandits

One of the banding world's most famous judges recently made a contest return as a player at the London & Southern Counties Regional Championships in Stevenage — and after a substantial break of 41 years.

David Read MBE had last played on a major contest stage with Grimethorpe Colliery Band at the 1978 European Championships at the Royal Albert Hall — helping them to come runner-up to Black Dyke.

After that his adjudicating career blossomed to such an extent that he spent his next 600 contest appearances behind the curtain in adjudicator's tents all over the world, finally hanging up his pen in 2014.

His autobiography entitled, 'Beyond the Box' was published in 2004 in which he recalled that final contest performance under his great mentor Stanley Boddington.

Lip in trim

Now aged 85, he has always kept his lip in trim with his usual daily practice regime, but as he told 4BR, it wasn't until he sent his treasured cornet back to Besson for a MOT that the opportunity to renew his playing career arose again.

"I was presented with the Besson International cornet for winning the 1973 Champion Soloist of Great Britain title and Roger Webster kindly offered to take it back to Besson for a much need overhaul.

When it returned it was like new — they had done a remarkable job. I was so keen to try it out properly that I rang the Cottenham Band who are close to where I live and asked if I could join them for a blow.

Not surprisingly I enjoyed it so much, and as they needed a cornet player for the Regional Championships it suited us both, so I played on the solo cornet bench for them."

Inspired

Cottenham was certainly inspired by having such an experienced player in their ranks, and someone who won a National title with GUS Band even before they were formed, as they came third to qualify for their first National Finals appearance.

David added: "They are such a wonderful band, although it was odd to feel the nerves again just before Peter Mackley, the conductor, brought the baton down.

It was such an enjoyable experience though and the band played so well. For the band to claim a qualification place for Cheltenham is a great achievement and I'm delighted for everyone who made me so welcome."

David is now looking forward to making a return to the National Finals. "I've got a great deal to thank Roger and Besson for, and I've told the band that I'm available if they need me."

The newly crowned Welsh Champion, Tredegar has just about recovered from its latest high profile performance — this time surrounded by an audience estimated at over 1 million people.

The band was invited to take part in the 'Put it to the People' march in central London last weekend, with the players boarding a coach in the early hours of Saturday morning to reach Hyde Park Corner in time to meet the organisers at the front of the event.

Just before they had regained the Welsh title in Wrexham the previous Saturday they welcomed a crew to their open rehearsal to record their contribution to a special film released ahead of the march, which has now been viewed over half a million times.

Proud history

A Band spokesperson told 4BR: "We have a proud history of being both a politically and socially engaged organisation throughout our 143 year history — from the visit of the Radical Leader Sir William Harcourt to Tredegar in 1896 to the 1984 Miner's Strike and the more recent 'Pride' celebrations in London and the 70th anniversary of the NHS."

They added: "This was another remarkable event to be part of — and it's not often you get to play an impromptu performance surrounded by thousands under Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square."

Film

The film can be viewed at: https:/­/­twitter.com/­peoplesvote_uk/­status/­1109366629090115584

Elland Silver Youth Band has reached its £20,000 fund raising target in plenty of time for the Yorkshire band to concentrate all their efforts on their performance preparations ahead of the European Youth Championships in Switzerland next month.

Latest boost

The latest boost to their coffers came with a successful raffle initiative that gained widespread support from sponsor companies such as Band Supplies and Kirklees Music, bands such as Foden's and individuals such as Mike Eccles and Mark Wilkinson.

Thanks

Elland is now focussing all its energies towards their performance under conductor Samantha Harrison in Montreux, with Band Secretary Kathleen Harrison telling 4BR: "Once again we would like to thank our sponsors and everyone who has supported our young people in their fundraising efforts.

With just over a month to go, reaching our target is fantastic news!"

The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (AoBBA) has welcomed two new additions to their ranks.

New additions

The respected tuba player Joseph Cook, currently living in Norway, has become an Adjudicator Member alongside Matthew Brown, a product of the University of Salford and Kingston University who has been accepted on to the Adjudicator Training programme.

Nick Garman (Secretary) "Joseph's experience as a first class player and conductor will be a welcome addition to our adjudicator panel, whilst Matthew is an accomplished trombonist, has excellent academic qualifications and is an ideal candidate for our training programme".

AoBBA Executive member David Hirst added: "The AoBBA trainee adjudicator initiative is now well established and has already produced a growing cohort of new adjudicators."

Find out more

To find out more about becoming a trainee adjudicator go to: http:/­/­www.aobba.com/­about-us/­apply-for-membership/