Features | Brass Band World

Saturday 19 March 2016

Katrina Marzella meets Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Brass Band World’s version of Desert Island Discs and this month's castaway is contemporary Norwegian composer, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen. I first came across Torstein’s music when I played his Arctic Funk with my youth band in West Lothian, Scotland. His writing for brass band is...read more

Saturday 19 March 2016

Young Voice - Pernille Alsos

Norwegian trombone player, Pernille Alsos, is a recent convert to the brass band scene and she’s caught the bug! The 19-year-old from Oslo is spreading her musical wings and has a bright future ahead of her, as Mark Good found out... MG: How did you get involved in playing an instrument? PA: My...read more

Monday 14 March 2016

Foden's retain rankings record

As a former number 1 ranked band, Foden’s is familiar with the upper echelons of the Rankings, although a lowly 13th placing at last year’s Championship National Final had jeopardised its record of being the only band to have been ranked in the top-ten continuously since the Rankings were first published....read more

Sunday 13 March 2016

And another thing...

As we approach the final weeknd of Regional contests, Foden's trombone star and BBW guest wit, John Barber gives his take on the customs and traditions associated with contesting success! In recent weeks, bandsmen and women across the country have been dragging themselves with greater frequency to the band room, taking to...read more

Sunday 13 March 2016

Pro Platform: Chris Turner interviews Gareth Small

Great things in 'small' packages. Chris Turner enjoys a Q&A with the Principal Trumpet of the Hallè Orchestra, and his long-time friend and colleague - Gareth Small My association with Gareth Small and his father, Tony, has been long and fruitful. I first played with Gareth over 30 years ago, when he...read more

Sunday 13 March 2016

Centre Band: Back to the future for Cory

This month's BBW 'Centre Band' is Cory. With a proud history stretching back to 1884, it is perhaps surprising to note that it wasn't until 1976 that Cory played its first notes outside of the UK and, according to its local Rhondda Leader newspaper, this would give many of the players...read more

Sunday 13 March 2016

Let's Debate with Howard Snell

Conductor, composer, arranger, player and educator, Howard Snell, recently rekindled his love affair with brass bands by leading Bjørsvik Band at the Norwegian National. Here he gives his views about what has changed since he was last immersed in the brass band culture When I said “goodbye!” to contesting and regular band...read more