2024 4BR Lower Section Band of the Year
All of the fantastic work being undertaken by bands below the elite level this year these were the three that stood out for our panel.
In a close battle between the top three nominations, it is the 2024 European Championship Challenge Section Champion, LT Brass from Lithuania that is the '4BR Lower Section Band of the Year'.
Formed in 2019 they were the standard bearers for the nation and performed magnificently in claiming the title under Russell Gray.
The groundwork though had been done by Piet Visser, an equally inspirational figurehead who also led them to the Lithuanian Championship title and has been the catalyst behind their musical maturity.
The scenes of their celebrations in Palanga were memorable to say the least and could well mark the catalyst for the banding movement in the country. They gained 5 first choice nominations and five other top three nominations.
Regent Brass, a band with an inventive looking musical vision is runner- up, gaining 4 first choice nominations and three others from the panel for their adventurous concert and contest repertoire choices and performances. They gained 4 first choice nominations and three top three nominations.
Third place goes to last year's winner Smoras Skolemusikk, who once again in defending their European showed levels of musical maturity way beyond their tender years. They gained 3 first choice nominations and four other top three nominations.
Panel:The Awards Panel consisted of: Iwan Fox (4BR Editor); Malcolm Wood (4BR); Chris Thomas (4BR & BBW); Gordon Simpson (brass band statistician); Anne Crookston (conductor/adjudicator); Sarah Groarke-Booth (conductor/adjudicator); Alexander Zwann (conductor/journalist); Jess Tredrea (conductor/musician); Tim Mutum (brass band historian); Tom Davoren (conductor/composer); Michael Franz (Editor Brass Band News Switzerland); Henk Van Loon (Editor CU Brass); Stein Skorpholm (broadcaster/musician); Camila Soderstrom Tveit (musician/adjudicator); Philippa Edwards AOM (conductor/performing arts producer)
Formed in 2019 they were the standard bearers for the nation and performed magnificently in claiming the title under Russell Gray4BRDenis Wick
Brass Bands England
2023: Smoras Skolemusikk
2022: Campbeltown Brass
2021: Youth Brass 2000
2020: Tewit Silver Band
2019: Wardle Academy Youth
2018: Oldham Band (Lees)
2017: BD1 Brass
2016: Youth Brass 2000
2015: Ebbw Valley
2014: Manger Skulemusikklag
2013: National Children's Band of Great Britain
2012: National Youth Band of Great Britain
2011: Bjorsvik Brass
2010: Hazel Grove Band
2009: Oldham (Lees) Band
2008: Smithills Schools Senior Band
2007: Sellers International Youth Band
2006: Pennine Brass
2005: Marsden Riverhead Brewery Band
2004: Smithills School Senior Band
2003: Smithills School Senior Band
2002: St. Dennis Band
2001: Peter Hawke Garages Lindley Band
