4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Andrew Myers and three players, Violet, Megan and Ben to find out a bit more about the band.

Made up of players from primary schools from the Stockport area of Greater Manchester the band rehearses for two and half hours once a week at Stockport Music Services — one of four different bands that come under their wing.

Players move through the ranks under their inspirational tutors, and they certainly enjoyed their trip to Warwick playing music from 'Super Trouper' and 'Slaidburn' to 'Pirates of the Caribbean' as they took a Bronze Award in the Elementary Section.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Michael Dodds and three players, Marcus, Holly and Elizabeth to find out a bit more about the band.

Linked through the work of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, they took to the stage with 12 players to produce a wonderful performance of music such as 'Death of Glory', Eventide', 'Waltz', 'Orange Juice' and 'William Tell' to claim third prize and a Silver Award in the Elementary Section.

Elizabeth went on to win the 'Best Soloist' award too after just playing 'Orange Juice' on the flugel for 2 weeks!

Mike talks about the band and how it has proved to be a wonderful catalyst for brass teaching — whilst the youngsters tell us how they enjoyed themselves and Iwan even asks for an autograph from the famous face of the championships...

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with the celebrations for the Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band and their conductor Lois Eifion after they had won the Elementary Section title.

The prod band gave a Gold Award winning performance of 'Slaidburn', 'Rule the World', Jurassic Park', 'Eventide' and 'Eye of the Tiger' to take the BFBB Cup and banner back to North Wales.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Tom Hancock and three players, Nathan, Sam and Kim to find out a bit more about the band.

The ensemble of the Lions organisation which has three bands of different youth levels, the players rehearse once a week at Sandbach School in Cheshire.

They enjoyed their performance at the Championship where they played music from 'Friday Funk' and Herb Alpert Pops' to 'Abide with Me' and 'The Great Escape' as they gained second place and a Silver Award in the Elementary Section.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Samantha Harrison and players, Dobby, Sarah, Gemma and Matthew to find out a bit more about the band.

The band caters for players aged 9 to 16 and had plenty of fun in gaining second prize and a Silver Award in the Intermediate Section with a programme that included 'Take it to the Max', the hymn tune 'Ellers', 'A Kit of Fun', 'A Circus Suite' and 'African Funk'.

Sam also talks about the amazing trip to Montreux that the Elland Silver Youth Band, which a number of these players players will also play for, will undertake in a few weeks time.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Nigel Birch and players, Ella, Abby and Craig to find out a bit more about the band.

The band gave a wonderful performance to claim a Silver Award in the Championship Section with a programme that included 'Home of Legends', the tenor horn solo 'Untold Story' featuring Abby and the set-test, 'Corineus' by Cornish composer Christopher Bond.

Nigel also talks about the huge effort everyone associated with the band has put in to raise the funds to get them to the 2019 European Youth Championships in Montruex in a few weeks time.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Martin Tromans and players, Malachy, Joseph and Olivia to find out a bit more about the band.

The band organisation hails from just outside Harrogate and has been rejuvenated in recent years since they took the decision to make a long term investment in youth.

Its all now paying off with talented youngsters coming through the ranks and rehearsing once a week during school terms times, and with a senior band already enjoying further success.

The secret to success it seems is to have a tuck shop on hand as they went on to cliam a Merit Award with a programme that included 'Slaidburn', 'Siciliano', 'Hit It!', 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' and 'O Happy Day!'.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Megan Bousfield and players, Benjamin, Lucy, Sophie, Harry, Imogen, Felix, Emily, Joseph and Jack to find out more about their band.

Their young MD (who played in the Championship Section later in the day) is certainly inspiring her team to enjoy their playing, as the 'March from Aida', 'Pop Rock', 'Totem Pole', 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse March' and 'Madrigal' saw them wow the audience in Debut Section.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Alan Goodhall and players, Olivia, Benasil and Max to find out more about their band.

Not from a traditional brass banding area, the Hounslow Music Service teaches 12,000 pupils a week in a whole class (around 30 children) environment on all forms of music making.

The great brass team has inspired the players and sent out a letter to parents which resulted in 43 children having a fantastic experience at the Championships.

They made it to perform music such as 'Let's Get the Show on the Road', the brilliantly entitled, 'Our Second Piece', 'Waltz Away' and 'Small Town Rock' on just four rehearsals!

Now they want to expand things and return with another band with even more brilliant young players...

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Julie Maxwell and players, Steven, Simran and Pardee to find out more about their band.

The players of Brass of the Saff all come form a single housing estate — Saffron Lane in Leicestershire and have been created through a crowdfunding initiative.

They came as a school band last year, but this community ensemble is now established with an ethos of having plenty of fun.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with conductor Phil Devine and players Tim and Charlotte to find out a bit more about the band.

They have been regular visitors to the Championships over the years and meet once a week with an all inclusive open door policy for players of all standards.

The band enjoyed their appearance in the Championship Section where they gained a Merit Award and especially working on the test-piece 'Corineus' by Christopher Bond.

4BR was at the 2019 National Youth Brass Band Championships at Warwick School, where we caught up with two of the players from Wardle Academy School Band after they had won the Intermediate Section title.

Adam Warburton and Molly Clough proudly accepted the trophies on behalf of the band, who due to the wait had to leave immediately for home from Warwick School due to their bus driver's hours being about to run out!

The band has become a formidable force the event over the years under conductor Lee Rigg, and their 20 minute programme of 'Intrada Festiva', 'The Great Little Army', the trombone solo 'Stardust' and 'Dimensions' saw them gain a deserved Gold Award as well as the BBE Chairman's Cup.

14 year old Adam also won the 'Best Soloist' award for his 'Stardust' rendition, with the duo telling 4BR just what it meant to win as well as just how much they are looking forward to representing England at the forthcoming European Youth Championships where they hope to make it a double success.

The victory also means that they will be invited to compete at the 2020 European Youth Championships in Palanga.

4BR Editor Iwan Fox was able to chat to Darren Henley OBE, the Chief Executive Officer of Arts Council England at the 2019 National Youth Championships of Great Britain at Warwick School on the weekend.

He has been delighted that his organisation has been able to support Brass Bands England in its work and especially with its ethos to develop a much broader and more inclusive music making environment.

He also revealed that Arts Council England would love to get more applications from brass bands for projects and initiatives they may have — so get in touch with them and find out more...

Black Dyke tenor horn star Siobhan Bates has been crowned 2019 BrassPass.tv Young Brass Award winner following an exciting live-streamed final at Manchester's Stoller Hall.

The Huddersfield University student's performances of 'Peace' by John Golland and the 'Finale' from 'Fantasie Concertante' by Philip Wilby saw her claim the honours awarded by the panel of judges, Dr Robert Childs, trombone virtuoso Lito Fontana and Kate Moore, principal trumpet of the BBC Concert Orchestra.

It followed a keen battle from rivals Tobias Reifer (euphonium), Peter McDonough (euphonium) and Holly Clarke (trumpet), who were all accompanied by the National Champion Foden's, who also gave a short concert prior to the results.

A full report will be published as soon as possible.

Image copyright Lorne Campbell

4BR has been informed that radical changes are to be implemented with immediate effect for the 2020 National Championships of Great Britain.

It follows a recent article on 4BR which highlighted five areas of debate surrounding elements such as re-alignment of sections, promotion and relegation and open adjudication.

Total Inclusion

4BR has seen details of the specially commissioned 'Total Inclusion' report that proposes the changes which will be put forward for debate at Regional level in the next few months.

A spokesperson told 4BR. "If agreed, this be the most radical and far reaching reform of the National Championships since 1945.

As the report suggests the new rules will all be about inclusion and gets rids of all the problems that have bedevilled the event over the decades. We are sure the approach will please everyone."

4BR understands that the problem of section alignment will be solved with the creation of a new 'Elite Section' that comes with open adjudication and an end to promotion and relegation. There will be new regional boundaries and clearer registration rules.

Yorkshire lead

When asked directly, the spokesperson confirmed the details.

"We are following the lead of Yorkshire banding which was to have 15 Championship Section bands in 2020.

We will therefore be totally scrapping the lower sections throughout the country, so that every band can now be a Championship Section band.

The new 'Elite Section' is a 'one section fits all' approach and means we have also get rid of the problem of ever having to go back to Cheltenham again.

The open adjudication means we can also decide on which bands go through to the Albert Hall without any of our favourites missing out. The place will be packed!"

Foreign players

They added: "It also means that bands don't have to worry about promotion and relegation and to ensure we finally rid ourselves of the problem of foreign players playing at the contests, we are going to invite all the best bands from Europe to compete in the new super section too."

4BR understands that the prize money at the Areas and National Finals will remain the same though...

April Fool...

Just in case anyone really thought this was true — as tradition dictates, we have to reveal that this wasn't quite what it seemed.

Thanks to Kapitol Promotions who were great sports on this and to everyone who left comments on our effort to try and hoodwink you on this very peculiar day....

4BR Editor talks to a delighted MD, Chris Jeans after Youth Brass 2000 claim the Championship Section title at the National Youth Championships of Great Britain for the sixth year in a row.

With the band already qualified for the European Youth Championships in Montreux in a few weeks time, Chris tells 4BR just how proud he is of his latest band's achievements and just how much hard work they have done to ensure they remain the UK's premier youth ensemble.

All that and they now have Palanga to look forward to in 2020...

Sunday Bandstand: 24th 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-24-march-2019/

Playlist:

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

The Cantonian March (Ian Clarke)
Amsterdam Staff Band
BM: Olaf Ritman (2013)

The Snaring of the Sun (Stephen Roberts)
Ebbw Valley Brass
MD: Gareth Ritter (2015)

Coronation Scot (Vivian Ellis arr. Roy Newsome)
National Brass Band of New Zealand
MD: Rodney G Sutton (1980)

The Water Margin (Mashru Satu)
Leyland Band
MD: Richard Evans (1980)

Bone Idyll (Derek Bourgeois)
Soloist: Brett Baker
Williams Fairey Band
MD: Bryan Hurdley (1996)

Dancing in the Park (Peter Graham)
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
MD: Roy Newsome (1995)

Hoedown from Rodeo (Aaron Copland arr. Howard Snell)
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
MD: Roy Newsome (1995)

Gala-Polka (Wemer Knopfel)
Brass Band Frohsinn Schotz
MD: Ernst Balli (1997)

Eyes of a Child (Jalkeus / Larsen)
Soloist: Allan Withington
Stavanger Band
MD: Jacob Vilhelm Larsen (2011)

All Glorious (Dorothy Gates)
New York Staff Band
BM: Ron Waiksnoris (2015)

Credo (Lorne Barry)
Mississauga Temple Band of the Salvation Army (Canada)
BM: David Moulton (2003)

Robin Adair (John Hartmann)
Soloist: Sidney Poole
CWS (Manchester) Band
MD: Alex Mortimer (1960)

Main theme from Star Wars (John Williams arr. Philip Harper)
Cory Band
MD: Philip Harper (2017)

Duel of the Fates (John Williams arr. Andrew Duncan)
Vocalists: Only Men Aloud
Cory Band
MD: Philip Harper (2017)

Fugue from the Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra (Britten arr. David Childs)
Foden's Band
MD: Dr. Robert Childs (2017)

Creepy Trombones (Bertrand Moren)
Soloists: Jeremie Favre, Lucas Llor & Lionel Fumeaux
La Condordia Vertroz
MD: Bertrand Moren (2018)

Escape Velocity (Martin Cordner)
Amsterdam Staff Band
BM: Olaf Ritman (2013)

Bubbles (Derek Broadbent)
Soloists: Sonja Rolli & Markus Hunkeler
Brass Band Frohsinn Schotz
MD: Ernst Balli (1997)

Rufford Abbey (Drake Rimmer)
St Dennis Band
MD: Eddie Williams (1971)

St Austell Suite (Kenneth Downie)
Brighouse & Rastrick
MD: David Hirst (2002)

Rolling Along (William Himes)
Enfield Citadel Band
BM: James Williams (2003)

Carnival of the Animals (Saint Seans)
Black Dyke Mills Band
MD: Major Peter Parkes (1983)

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

Enjoy the show....

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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.

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

Sunday 14th April 2019:

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

A SALUTE FROM LUCERNE (Christoph Walter)
Swiss Army Concert Band
Conductor: Christoph Walter

DIVERSIONS, VARIATIONS ON A SWISS FOLK SONG (Philip Sparke)
Point of Ayr Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles

FANTAISIE ORIGINALE (Ermano Picchi arr. Maurice Bale)
Soloist: Thomas Ruedi
Brassband Bufgermusik Luzern
Conductor: Ludwig Wicki

THE BEST OF BOND (arr. Darrol Barry)
Oberaargauer Brass Band
Conductor: Manfred Obrecht

FANTASY ON SWISS AIRS (Roy Newsome)
Soloist: Shaun Thomas
Sun Life Band
Conductor: Roy Newsome

SCHATTDORF IMPRESSIONS (Darrol Barry)
Brass Band Berner Oberland
Conductor: Carlo Balmelli

The North Skelton Band is celebrating yet again after they qualified for a second successive year for the National Finals in Cheltenham as North of England Second Section champions.

Led by conductor Lewis Wilkinson and aided by 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner Chris Coupland and 'Best Soprano' Michael Holliday it comes in what is proving to be a memorable 50th anniversary year.

Although the band has moved on from the days of rehearsing in an old hut in the village there are still a few original players in the band.

Weekend celebration

To mark the official 50th anniversary the band will be holding a weekend of events on Saturday June 22nd at the Saltburn Community Theatre where they hope to display as much memorabilia as possible, whilst they will also hope former players will come along and perhaps be persuaded to enter a special Slow Melody contest.

More details

More details can be found at the band's website: https:/­/­sites.google.com/­view/­northskeltonband/­home

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