My Experience - The British Open Championships 2025 - Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Performing at The British Open Brass Band Championships still feels like a new experience for me as this was only my fourth ever appearance and my third as the solo euphonium of The Grimethorpe Colliery Band. To read about my experience from last year, click here!

On stage!

For me personally, this has been my favourite one yet. This comment might seem strange when you find out the result (we came 12th out of 18 top bands). Despite being massively disappointed with the result, I still feel that it was my favourite because I felt greater confidence and sense of belonging in myself throughout the whole event. Some great social time with the band, catching up with many friends from other bands and having my family there was brilliant.

The band were drew to play last on the day, meaning a very long wait from 8:30am but time which I used wisely. I went to listen to the first band (Black Dyke) and then went back to the hotel for a second breakfast, then back to my room for a nap. I woke up feeling a little nervous so spent ten minutes doing some breathing using my Ultra-breathe, which helped. After this, we had a second rehearsal and I had a bit of a wander around Birmingham before heading to the Symphony Hall to give our performance.

I have never felt so calm and at ease. On stage, I had no doubts and really enjoyed the performance from first to last note, I don't think I could have played better, and I do not usually think this after any performance. It wasn't a perfect performance from the band but the word from audience members were that they enjoyed it and expected it to feature in the top 6 prizes, at worst top 8. Coming 12th was hard to take after this but that is how it is, you just have to get back up and try harder next time.

It is so easy to get caught up in the moment but in a bad way. One simple walk through the Symphony Hall concourse can be an emotional stress unless you are prepared mentally. I think at one point, I noticed about 8 legendary euphonium players just standing around, at least two of them had held the solo euphonium seat with Grimethorpe in the past and it is easy for that imposter syndrome to sneak up. The thought of them all watching could be very scary, but I didn't give it a second thought this year, I had a job to do and was laser focussed.

The test piece for the contest was called Star Crossed Lovers by Stephen Roberts. A new commission which featured the music from Prokofiev's ballet, Romeo and Juliet. Stephen Roberts has composed successful pieces for the contest in the past, so there was high expectations of this one, although for me, I would have liked to have seen a new composers name being used. Ideally, I would love to see a test piece written for this contest by a famous composer out there who has never written for brass band before or just a composer from far outside of the brass band world. Can you imagine, an original test piece by John Williams!!

For me as a player, I felt that Star Crossed Lovers fell short in some ways. While I have the utmost respect for Stephen Roberts, I didn't personally enjoy the work in the build up to the contest. There were too many discrepancies in the parts and not enough clarity in exactly how the music should be performed. The vast majority of it was also just too easy for bands at this level, sight readable almost, bar the obviously tricky cadenzas. This means at home, I found myself searching for other music to spend time working on. Two years ago, the test piece was Sand and Stars, and I spent almost every waking moment working hard to be able to play it accurately, this is what the contest needs every year.

It certainly turned out to be a good test on the day though, the deceivingly tricky solo passages caught out even some of the best players on the stage but most people who spoke to me after said they didn't enjoy the piece. Some comments suggested that this was some of the very best music in the whole wide world (Prokofiev) arranged in a way that didn't suit the brass band. Then there is always a balance between risk and reward, how many soloist players took risks to play written dynamics, there was definitely a 'fear of splitting notes' syndrome going on with all players I think!

That said, it didn't stop the audience and judges having a clear favourite winner in The Brighouse and Rastrick Band, who by all accounts brought the test piece to life in a way few other bands did. So, it is safe to say, it divided opinions but at the end of the day, every band had to play it! Congratulations to all the prize winners!

The British Open also gave players the chance to see and try the new Sterling Virtuoso euphonium and baritone. They will also be available in Cheltenham for the lower section National Finals. Check out the new website below and if you have any questions please drop me an email:

Sterling Virtuoso Euphonium – Sterlingbrass

Back To Work

So, what is next on my horizon? Back to work this week, teaching the next generation of brass players. I look forward to the start of rehearsals at The Stafford Music Centre, which I manage, we have some super exciting music for the ensembles this year curtesy of Musicroom.com!

Always looking for new Stafford, UK based members!

I also have a solo gig upcoming in November but otherwise it is back to regular rehearsals and hopefully sold out concerts with Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Starting this weekend in Malvern. Here is the solo gig poster:

I am looking forward to hearing the next episode of That's Not Banding! If you haven't checked it out yet then follow the link! Always great fun with honest behind the scenes insights into top flight banding in the UK.

I hope next year's British Open doesn't come around quite so fast but I will be looking forward to it and maybe that will be a Grimethorpe winning year! 🤞

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Thanks for reading ❤

Mark Glover

12/9/25