It's Not a Trumpet

How the Value of Brass Bands Extends Beyond Music The scene in Brassed Off where the band gathers outside of the hospital, donned in their miner’s headtorches, to perform Danny Boy is one of the most memorable scenes from the iconic film. It’s a moving moment for all, whether you’re a brass bander or not. However, speaking as a brass bander, the reason I end up sobbing uncontrol...

Progress. Charles Darwin said it best: in order to survive, you must adapt and evolve. He’s right. Whether we’re talking about penguins or brass bands, adaptation and evolution is vital to avoid extinction.

New leadership marks a pivotal moment for the Brass Bands England's future growth and national impact Brass Bands England has announced the appointment of Sarah Baumann as Interim Chief Executive Officer, signalling a significant step forward, as the organisation enters a new phase of development. The move follows a transitional leadership period led by Nigel Stevens from Januar...

An Exploration of Un Vie De Matelot for Brass Band The set work for the 2026 Senior Trophy is Robert Farnon’s charismatic Un Vie De Matelot (A Sailor’s Life). It’s a difficult work with plenty of challenges for the soloists, as well as tricky technical sections that are sure to put a band through its paces. Let’s take a deeper look into the piece and what it has in store for the...

'Ballet for Band 'by Joseph Horovitz is a characterful work that blends together declamatory motifs, cheeky melodic moments and sweeping romantic lines. Ahead of it testing the bands at the 2026 Spring Festival, let’s have a look at what the piece entails and the challenges presented within the staves.