£5M Funding and More MADness for Brass Bands…

£5M Funding and More MADness for Brass Bands… The West Midlands Brass Bands Association invites bands to attend this ‘More MADness for Brass Bands…’ funding presentation. It will be a practical, interactive, presentation from Terry Luddington, BFBB Liaison Officer, who will be giving the very latest funding information for Brass Bands. The presentation is not only for WMBBA and BFBB members; it is open to representatives of any band to come along and find out what funding opportunities are available to help their band purchase instruments/equipment, commission music, put on special events (e.g. for Queens Diamond Jubilee) and much more. It will be of particular interest to officers, committee members, and anyone who has responsibility for raising funds in brass bands.  It is also an opportunity to ask Terry all those questions that arise when your band is discussing fund raising and its many aspects. The Presentation will take place at: Studley High School, Crooks Lane, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7QX 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. There will be no charge to attendees. Tea and coffee will be available upon arrival from 10.00 a.m. To reserve your place/s, please contact the WMBBA General Secretary as soon as possible either via this site, or  by calling 02476 442701 Please be sure to include the name of your band in any communication and the names of all representatives wishing to attend. WMBBA acknowledges the support of the British Federation of Brass Bands in putting on this event to assist bands wishing to seek funding

2012 Contest

The date for the 2012 contest has been confirmed for 14th October. For regular bands, please note that is earlier than previous years. The contest will again be held at Pershore High School.

YOUTH TRAINING DAY – Saturday 14th January 2012

Hot on the heels of the annual contest, the West Midlands Brass Bands Association is pleased to announce that it has been successful in securing a Progressive Band Award from the British Federation of Brass Bands enabling it to run a Youth Training Day on Saturday 14 January 2012 at Studley High School, Studley, Warwickshire. The day will be directed by John Berryman and a number of other tutors.  It is targeted at brass and percussion players under the age of 18 years.  The cost for the day will be £5.00 per person.  The day will start at 11.00 a.m. and will end at 4.30 p.m. following a short performance for family and friends. Further details and registration forms are available for download from this site (links below) or by phoning 02476 442701. Youth Training Day Information 2012 Booking Form

2011 Contest Results

The Annual Contest held at the new venue at Pershore High School, Worcestershire on Sunday 20th November proved very popular with bands. Though the Association did not attract entries from Fourth Section bands this year, it was delighted with how the event ran and all the facilities provided by the school including excellent refreshments and a bar. Mr John Berryman adjudicated all sections. Commenting on the day, Barbara Dunscombe, chair of the WMBBA, said “The initial feedback on the new location and the day from bands and supporters has been very positive. Of course, the change of venue has provided its challenges and the WMBBA welcomes feedback from bands on the contest at the new venue by contacting us or phoning 02476 442701″ FIRST SECTION Band Conductor Result Enderby Brass Jonathan Mott 1 Oddfellows Brass Robert Boulter 2 The Wigston Band Garry Sleath 3 Carlton Brass Geoff Hawley 4 The Egham Band Gareth Green 5 Bedworth Brass Jason Glynn 6 Yiewsley & West Drayton Chris Cole 7 Shirland Welfare Marie Smith 8 Award to best instrumentalist in the Section: Luke Atkinson, Eb Bass – Oddfellows Brass SECOND SECTION Band Conductor Results Olney Town Brass Ed Keeley 1 Strata Brass David Holling 2 Bakewell Silver Mark Wilcockson 3 Amington Wes Kendrick WD Award to best instrumentalist in the Section: Jack Wilson, Cornet – Olney Town Brass THIRD SECTION Band Conductor Result Cubbington Silver Alexander Webb 1 Stourport-on-Severn Brass Mike West 2 Rushden Windmill John Fletcher 3 Shipston Town Howard Gibbs 4 City of Birmingham Brass Warren Belshaw 5 Amington Wes Kendrick 6 West Mercia Police Alwyn Green 7 Newhall Kevin Holdgate 8 Award to best instrumentalist in the Section: Mark Hanson, Euphonium – Rushden Windmill Adjudicator – All Sections – John Berryman Next year will see a change in date as the contest moves to Sunday 14th October, again at Pershore High School.

Final Contest Details published

The full details of the 2011 contest at Pershore High School have been published. All details for the day, including links to the lists of competing bands can be found on the contest page The contest will start with the Third Section at 10.00 am & the adjudicator for the day will be Mr John Berryman

Publicise your band

Member bands – Contact Us and tell us your news. We can help you promote your concerts, events, news to the wider world. Let us know your band website and we will link from here

Publicise your band

Member bands – Contact Us and tell us your news. We can help you promote your concerts, events, news to the wider world. Let us know your band website and we will link from here

Contest Details Published

Although slightly delayed due to our webmaster being unavailable, the 2011 contest details and forms have been published onlien for bands to download Access the overview and forms on the Contest Page

Member Band Links Wanted

If you are a member band, please contact us with your band’s website address and we will add your link to our site

Member Band Links Wanted

If you are a member band, please contact us with your band’s website address and we will add your link to our site

New Site

You have found us! The new site for the West Midlands Brass Band Association (WMBBA) Over time, the site will provide news, events and links to our member bands. You can subscribe to the RSS feed if you want to keep up to date