B of the Bang

Peter Meechen

A great opening from the British Open Champions, with good pulse from the cornets and horns throughout.

Euphonium Concerto No.2

Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen

soloist: Chris Robertson 

Band accompany with air rather than instruments at the very beginning which creates good effects, and euphonium sits nicely

On top, with plenty of interjects throughout, showing off a class range. Second movement opens nicely with muted band, marimba being the main moving accomp with this, and soloist phrases well with good sound all turn out and there are some really nice phrases throughout all of this. Full Length of lower to upper register is shown in this second movement, and this comes across so well. Third movement is full of multiphonics which adds so much depth, soloist gets to show off pure talent throughout this. An excellent performance accompanied well by band, well done. 

Royal Parks

George Lloyd

Band layers well to build up ensemble sound, and well played solos are passed between cornet and euphonium with good style. Flugel has good interjections with this too, and horns take over nicely in some of this as well. 

Horns crate a warm opening for the second movement with the sound blending together well, before more of the band joins in. More euph and cornet duet features, and Tromb statement makes a good mark, basses keep a strong sound underneath all throughout this. Cornets are clean throughout movement three, and we hear some stylish soprano within this too, and the trombs and basses also create good effects within the band in all of this, for a good ending. Well done. 

Ondinas

Helena Zyskowska

Basses and lower brass create a huge sound in the opening of the second half here, and cornets dovetail well off one another. Dynamic fluctuations around the band are good, and there is a good sense of balance overall. 

Concertino for Tuba and Brass Band

Dorothy Gates

soloist: Les Neish 

From the very get-go of this piece, we are shown and excellent range of technique and register just from the first movement, and the band accompany really well underneath this, leaving plenty of room for the sound of the soloist. You can definitely hear the Salvation Army inspiration throughout the second movement, and this lyrical is extremely special, I particularly like the duet-style between band tuba and soloist, the harmonies here are really beautiful. There is some really classy playing here from the soloist, and it is hauntingly good. Movement 3 opens up again with similar ideas to what we’d heard in movement 1, and there’s particular good work from trombs underneath the soloist in this, and all throughout our soloist plays it’s class. A massive congratulations. 

Music of the Spheres

Philip Sparke 

A hauntingly beautiful horn solo to start, and band gradually build on themselves well, building intensity consistently. Rips throughout the lower and mid band are fresh and create good sounds constantly. First slower section really shows of fantastic soloists, particularly solo horn and cornet, with some nice sop and flugel within this too. Picking the tempo back up and there are some great moments here from trombs and euphs, the sounding just soaring above the band. Back into the Lento section, euphs once more bringing out the themes, with flugels as well nicely in on this too. This is an absolutely stunning performance from the British Open Champions, playing the 2026 Open piece.