British Bandsman

25/01/2025

Black D**e starts at 7:30pm

International Brass Festival

25/01/2025

This evenings concert at the International Brass Festival is Bkack D**e, a great evening ahead.

25/01/2025

Here are the thoughts of David Barker on the Tredegar performance at the International Brass Festival.

Tredegar Town Band
Ian Porthouse

Prague - Judith Bingham
A contemporary piece full of atmosphere and drama. Lots of full blooded playing in the intense sections contrast nicely with some delicate quiet playing. Some great exposed technical playing from Solo cornet and soprano. Perhaps an unconventional piece, but music and a performance full of character.

French Horn Concerto - Edward Gregson
French Horn Soloist - Ben Goldscheider
Not the most obvious instrument for a brass band concerto, but with Gregson's understanding of the instrument it seems a natural fit. Goldscheider never seems to have anything less than complete control of his instrument, with every note exactly where he wants to be. A substantive piece for band as well, Tredegar match the soloist's energy and key players duet with the soloist effectively.

The American Dream - Elgar Howarth
A late addition to the programme as tribute to the late Elgar Howarth.
Some nice flowing melodies lines and delicate playing feature in a performance with as much to offer as some of the more substantive items on the programme.

A Road Less Travelled By - Philip Sparke
Tredegar bring one of Philip Sparke's most recent major works to the RNCM after a 2nd place performance of the set work at last year's European Championships.
An absorbing performance full of exciting full band sounds and some considered quiet playing, with the delightful flugel solos a real highlight. Fantastic clarity in the technical passages and a full range of dynamic shape on offer across the band.

Homage to Julian Assange - Ed de Boer (world premiere)
A piece of 11 interlocking movements that showcase the range of musical ideas. Top quality playing again on display across the band, but particular mention to the percussion section that have been excellent throughout this concert and have no shortage of work here, with three of the players taking turns on a xylosynth replicating the sounds of strings, metal sheets and what at one point seemed to be the drone of a helicopter propeller. A real musical tour and a performance that sustained the energy of the music through to the very end.

Each one of these pieces is a significant undertaking for any band, that Tredegar tackled all four back to back really highlights the talent around the stands this afternoon. An excellent contribution to the festival.

25/01/2025

UniBrass is just around the corner - 3 WEEKS! So here’s a roundup of all the things to enjoy on Saturday 15th February.

UniBrass 2025 is taking place at Cardiff University, and will be spread across the School of Music, and the Student’s Union.

Throughout the day, 12 bands will be taking part in the Trophy Section, to be held in the SU Great Hall, and 11 bands will be taking part in the Shield Section, to be held in the School of Music Concert Hall. The bands will be battling it out for performance and entertainment prizes, so there is plenty to look forward to!

Mark Wilkinson and Ailsa Russell will be adjudicating the Trophy Section, whilst Chris Bond and Emily Evans will be adjudicating the Shield Section.

Trophy Section Bands (in draw order):

Oxford
Warwick
Southampton
Chichester
Huddersfield
Royal Holloway
Manchester and Salford
York
Lancaster
Durham
Leeds and Leeds Conservatoire
Birmingham

Shield Section Bands (in draw order):

Kings College London
Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam
Bangor
Cambridge
Cardiff
UWE
Nottingham
Keele
Bristol
Bath
UEA

Following the contest, Band Pres Llareggub will be coming along to perform an exciting gala concert - one where the brass band meets Bronx hip-hop and New Orleans. It’s one not to be missed!

To round off an action filled day, the famous UniBrass social event will be taking place in the Cardiff University SU Club: Y Plas.

Tickets are on sale for the contest and concert and can be purchased from the UniBrass website. Both seated and standing tickets will be available for purchase. Prices range from £15 for children, £18 for students and £22 for adults. Follow the link below to find out more!

Join us in Cardiff as the National University Brass Band Championships returns to Wales for the 15th UniBrass contest!

25/01/2025

A real treat from Fodens at the International Brass Band Festival. A great list of pieces on the programme which opened with the magnificent ‘Fantasia on a Theme of Purcell’, a piece and performance that really took me in and had such range and wonderful lyrical lines that were a delight.

The Horn Concerto by Edward Gregson was edge of the seat in parts and sheer delight throughout, the soloist Tim de Maeseneer was spellbinding to both listen to and watch as he lived and breathed every phrase. Acrobatics of the highest order with lyrical delights along the way.

Fireworks from Elgar Howarth was a great end to the first half and gave most, if not all of the band a moment, the flow and drive was excellent with wonderful solo moments to leave you wanting more

The second half opened with ‘a Leadsman, a Lady and a Lord. Another great composition that vividly describes the subject matter and each movement would make a great piece in its own right.

Elektrodesign opened with a badly tuned radio and included vocals from across the band. This is a piece I will want to go back and hear again, the performance was recorded for WOBPlay and also Radio 3 so I look forward to another listen to this delightful piece.

The concert closed with ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’ and after 5 epic pieces the band could be forgiven for not giving it everything, but they didn’t hold back, when the full band were all in full voice the sound just filled the hall and filled the soul, hairs on my arms standing up and what a conclusion to a great evening.

Some quite outstanding writing and playing, moments I will want to go back and hear again (and again) and some real edge of the seat, sit back and enjoy and wonderment from the band, the dynamic contrast and control is a joy and to be taken on 6 epic journeys in one evening was exhausting just listening to. Bravo

24/01/2025

Ready for Fodens Band

24/01/2025

The British Bandsman is delighted to announce the programme for the forthcoming concert by Aldbourne Band at Reading Town Hall on Saturday 1st February. The concert is at 2pm and tickets are available online or from the Town Hall ticket office.

https://whatsonreading.com/venues/town-hall/whats-on/aldbourne-band

24/01/2025

The British Bandsman is delighted to announce the programme for the forthcoming concert by Brighouse and Rastrick Band at Reading Town Hall on Saturday 1st February. The concert is at 7pm and tickets are available online or from the Town Hall ticket office.

https://whatsonreading.com/venues/town-hall/whats-on/brighouse-rastrick-band

24/01/2025

Tonight’s concert programme from Fodens

23/01/2025

This weekend is the International Brass Festival at the RNCM in Manchester, a great start to the new year and always a festival that opens eyes and ears to the progression of Brass Bands and composing for Brass Band.

Here is the introduction to the event from the RNCM website.

RNCM International Brass Band Festival

Friday 24 – Sunday 26 January 2025

David Thornton artistic director

The RNCM International Brass Band Festival remains a premier stage for the world’s leading brass band musicians, celebrating the finest repertoire crafted for the genre. Under the artistic direction of David Thornton, the festival passionately embraces both innovative new compositions and celebrated legacy works, a commitment that resonates throughout this year’s programme.

A highlight of the 2025 festival is the celebration of Professor Edward Gregson’s 80th birthday. An award-winning English composer, Gregson has made a profound impact on the wind and brass repertoire. The festival will journey through his works, from his earliest compositions to his latest piece, Three Gods: Concerto for tenor horn, premièred by Belgian virtuoso Tim De Maeseneer with Foden’s Band.

We are especially excited to announce the festival début of Athena Brass Band, who we welcome to the RNCM from the USA. America’s first all-female brass band, Athena features distinguished members from military ensembles, university faculties, and the renowned Brass Band of Battle Creek. Dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in music, the band brings a festival programme that spotlights works by female composers from around the globe, including pieces from the UK, South Africa, Norway, and Canada.

The RNCM’s strong legacy of nurturing the next generation of brass banding talent also shines in this year’s festival, with students past and present featured throughout. Alumna Katrina Marzella-Wheeler will conduct the RNCM Brass Band, Athena will perform a piece by another alumna Lucy Pankhurst, Macclesfield Youth Brass Band will premiere a piece celebrating their 20th anniversary written by current student composer Helena Zyskowska, and audiences will hear performances from the Junior RNCM Brass Band. Elsewhere in the festival programme, Tom Smith performs Denis Wright’s Cornet Concerto and Michael Fowles conducts Foden’s Band.

Among the many notable performers and guests joining us this year are Tredegar Town Band, Black D**e Band, Cory Band, Brighouse & Rastrick Band, David Childs, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Ben Goldscheider, Ian Bousfield, and David Bremner.

The festival maintains its familiar structure, taking place over three days with multiple prestigious performances throughout the day. Our trade exhibition includes stands from Besson, World of Brass, Geneva Brasswind Ltd, and Mercer and Barker Ltd. We warmly welcome back regular attendees and invite new enthusiasts to enjoy this year’s exciting line up.

We look forward to sharing the RNCM International Brass Band Festival with you.

The RNCM International Brass Band Festival is kindly supported by Besson, Yamaha, 4barsrest, and Brass Bands England.

Join us on 24 – 26 January 2025 as we welcome six of the world’s leading brass brands, outstanding soloists, plus the next generation of brass musicians to the RNCM.

20/01/2025

Proposals for a Glasgow Area University and Colleges Brass Band

The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) is keen to support the establishment of a Glasgow Area University and Colleges Brass Band.

At present, Edinburgh University Brass Band is the only university brass band in Scotland. The band was established in 2005 and is affiliated with the Edinburgh University Student Association.

It rehearses and performs throughout the year. Further details can be found on their website at eubrassband.wixsite.com

Glasgow Area Opportunity -
If you are interested in being part of this exciting new opportunity in the Glasgow area, please fill in this form to register your interest: https://forms.office.com/e/eNsS37ns5w

It is anticipated that most members will be a university or college student, but if you are not currently a student and over the age of 17, you are also welcome to be involved.

If you require any additional information, please contact SBBA project officer Gareth Bowman by email at [email protected]

19/01/2025

https://www.rncm.ac.uk/festivals/rncm-international-brass-band-festival/

Join us on 24 – 26 January 2025 as we welcome six of the world’s leading brass brands, outstanding soloists, plus the next generation of brass musicians to the RNCM.

19/01/2025

The British Bandsman – Concert Series Reading
Saturday 1st February 2025
2pm Aldbourne Band
Aldbourne Band | What's On Reading
https://whatsonreading.com/venues/town-hall/whats-on/aldbourne-band

17/01/2025

https://whatsonreading.com/venues/town-hall/whats-on/brighouse-rastrick-band

Brighouse and Rastrick Band is regarded by many as the finest ‘public subscription band’ in the world and were the Brass in Concert Champions 2023. The band was formed in 1881 through public donations given by the townsfolk of the adjacent villages of Brighouse and Rastrick, which face each othe...