New BBW edition out now!
The latest edition of the world's leading magazine for brass bands and instrumentalists, BRASS BAND WORLD, is now out and packed with news, reviews, articles, interviews and opinions to enjoy. Available in print, as well as digital formats for smart 'phones, tablets and desktops. In this edition...
BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thomas Dunne overviews the 171st British Open, at which Prof. David King and Brighouse and Rastrick seduced victory
BBW INTERVIEW: SIR KARL JENKINS
David Childs catches up with the composer, Sir Karl Jenkins, as he prepares to return home to Wales to conduct his iconic Armed Man: A Mass for Peace to mark its 25th anniversary in his 80th year.
ROMPING HOME IN CHELTENHAM
The Section 1-4 National Finals runners and riders, winners and losers at Cheltenham Racecourse, reported on by Thomas Dunne.
GREGSON’S ‘VALHALLA’
As Championship Section bands get ready to battle for the British National Final title on 11 October, David Childs looks at Edward Gregson’s set test for it, Symphony in two movements, and its significance in the composer’s canon of brass band works.
RISING STAR: BERNARDAS BUTKUS
Nicola Bland shines the spotlight on the promising Adams euphonium artist, Bernardas Butkus from Lithuania.
CENTRE BAND: FIVE LAKES SILVER
This month's Centre band is Five Lakes Silver from the USA, who recently jetted into England and then flew to Luzern for last weekend’s Swiss Open.
BANDING SPIRIT
Lisa Fitzgerald-Lombard celebrates long service, anniversaries, and in a delightful detour compares the British National Challenge trophy with that of Crufts!
A LEGEND CELEBRATED
Tim Mutum, looks back on the remarkable success story of the legendary Major Peter Parkes.
IN THE STUDIO
Brett Baker takes readers behind the scenes of his new CD, ‘The Heroic Trombone’, and shares the personal stories, tributes and inspirations that shaped the project.
BBW CASTAWAY
Distinguished conductor and adjudicator, David Hirst, shares his desert island disc choices – a playlist as carefully selected as Europe’s Ryder Cup pairings!
BBW EDUCATION
Nicola Bland reports on London College of Music's new, all-in-one ‘Syllabus 2025’ and attendant ’Handbook’ for the absolute beginner right up to Grade 8.
BBW NEWS
2026 Regional test-pieces announced, Brass Bands England's restructure, a special honour for John Wallace CBE and the passing of Muriel Newsome and Duncan Beckley MBE.
REVIEWS
Recordings from Black Dyke and Five Lakes Silver bands, soloists Brett Baker and Kyle Lawson, and the ‘Regionals 2026 release; product news from Ev-entz; and concerts by LSO and the NCBBGB.
DIARY DATES
Keeping you abreast of what’s on the horizon in banding.
AND ANTHER THING...
Cartoonist Rob Nesbitt considers banding’s digital future in his witty ‘And Another Thing…’ column.
