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Brass Band Week is back for 2025! What are you most excited about as it returns for its second year?

I’m especially excited about the festival’s scale and inclusivity – over 100 events featuring everything from seaside open-air concerts like Brass at the Seaside in Lancashire to intimate community gatherings such as Phoenix Brass’s coffee mornings and mini‑concerts in Wiltshire. That blend of grand spectacle and grassroots connection creates a brilliant energy and accessibility that’s hard to beat.

Over 100 bands are expected to take part this July – what do you think it is about brass bands that continues to resonate so strongly with communities across the UK?

Brass bands have deep roots in British community life – originating from industry and local solidarity in the 19th century. Today, that tradition persists: bands perform at fetes, parks, halls, parades, and coastal promenades, creating shared experiences that reflect regional identity. Brass bands often include people of all ages and from all walks of life, working together towards a shared goal of creating music for the enjoyment of those around them. From championship bands (the best of the best) to aspiring youth groups – they underscore the genre’s enduring power to bring communities together in celebration 

From local parks to high streets and concert halls, Brass Band Week events are happening up and down the country. How do you balance such a wide mix of community-led and professional performances?

It’s incredibly inspiring to see world-class brass bands performing during Brass Band Week, knowing that so many of those musicians started out in local youth bands – often handed an instrument by someone in their own community and trained by older band members. That’s the beauty of brass banding: it’s a self-sustaining tradition that offers hands-on music education at a time when schools are facing devastating cuts to arts funding.

Brass bands don’t just entertain – they nurture talent, build confidence, and provide young people with life-changing opportunities. Many of today’s professional players, including those in the nation’s top orchestras, came through this very pipeline. The mix of elite performances and grassroots participation we see during Brass Band Week is a powerful reminder that the future of music in the UK is often forged in local band rooms. We owe a great deal to this movement – not just for what it gives our communities now, but for what it builds for the generations to come.

Brass Bands England has evolved a lot since its beginnings as the British Federation of Brass Bands in 1968. How would you describe the organisation’s role today in shaping the future of brass music in the UK?

Brass Bands England (BBE) has become a central connector and enabler for the brass banding community. From its roots as the British Federation of Brass Bands, it has grown into a national voice providing strategy, support, and infrastructure – from flagship events like Brass Band Week and Youth Fest to resources, training, PR campaigns, and membership services. Our mission spans the full spectrum of banding – from grassroots groups to elite competition-level bands – championing diversity, youth engagement, funding access, and public awareness.

Importantly, bands are not just musical groups – they are organisations in their own right. Many have multiple ensembles under one umbrella, including youth bands, training bands, senior bands, and different formats like adult daytime bands. They operate with charitable aims, serving their communities through inclusive music-making and education. In the face of rising costs and logistical challenges, we do all we can to support them – whether through fundraising advice, governance guidance, or practical resources. This support is made possible in large part thanks to our funding from Arts Council England. BBE is helping shape not just the future of brass music – but the infrastructure that keeps it alive and accessible in every corner of the UK.

And finally – for someone who’s never been to a brass band event before, what would you say to encourage them to come along during Brass Band Week?

It’s one of those rare experiences that’s fun, uplifting, and inclusive. Imagine relaxing in a park or seaside bandstand, hearing richly layered music from enthusiastic local players, and feeling the joy spread through generations. Many events are free, casual, and open – you can wander up, grab an ice cream, and suddenly you’re part of a celebratory crowd. It’s a wonderful way to connect with live music rooted in community, heritage, and pride.

The sound of a brass band is instantly recognisable and deeply emotional – it has the power to stir something in you, whether it’s nostalgia, joy, or simply the thrill of a powerful performance. The people involved are some of the most passionate and welcoming you’ll meet.Once you discover the joy of brass banding, you’ll wish you’d done it sooner! Whether you’re a lifelong music lover or just curious, Brass Band Week is the perfect time to come along and experience it for yourself.