Youth Training Day Details

The details for the revised Youth Training Day have been published. The event will be on 1st February 2014 at Joseph Chamberlain College, Birmingham Youth Training Day Information 1.2.14 Youth Training Day Booking Form 1.2.14

Youth Training Day Rescheduled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the WMBBA has had to re-schedule the Youth Training Day planned for Saturday 19th November 2013.  The new date is Saturday 1st February 2014.  Information and booking forms will be circulated to those on our mailing list as soon as all details for the day are  confirmed.  The information and booking form will also be posted on this website as soon as available.

2013 Contest Cancelled

The WMBBA is disappointed to announce that, unfortunately, due to the  number of entries received for the contest on Sunday 17th November 2013 at Pershore, the contest has had to be cancelled. The Association will be contacting bands about future events in due course

2013 Contest Details

For competing and interested participants, e-versions of the contest paperwork have been made available schedule 2013 Rules 2013 EntryForm13

Successful Youth Training Day

The second youth training day proved a great success. 25 young people enjoyed a day of music, working as a whole band and in small groups. The event will be run again in 2013 with the date to be announced soon.

2013 Entry fee Rise

With the rising costs of venue’s and the increase in insurance it has been necessary to add £10 on the entry fee to the Midland Regional Contest – from 2013 the cost for each Band to enter will be £120 (this entry fee will still include 30 Bandsmen’s tickets for access to the stage and both auditoriums). The ticket cost for supporters into both halls will remain the same as last year – £7 adults, £6 concessions and programmes will remain at £2   We know some Bands have been chasing the Entry forms to the Regional Contest, these should be available from Kapitol Promotions in mid November and will be sent out by the Regional Secretary as soon as they are received

Youth Training Day

Saturday 24 November 2012 The Youth Training Day being held by West Midlands Brass Bands Association on Saturday, 24 November 2012 at Studley High School, Warwickshire, is being directed by Warren Belshaw, Musical Director, City of Birmingham Brass Band. The event is open to brass players and percussionists aged under 18 years of all playing standards. The aims of the training day are to improve the playing standards of the participants through group sessions with tutors, and in a full band environment. The Association training days encourage and motivate young players to attain higher standards to benefit their own bands and the wider community, as well as themselves. The event is open to all brass bands, brass groups and individuals. The cost for the day is £5.00 per person. Youth Training Day Information 24 11 12 Youth Training Day Booking Form 24.11.2012

2012 Contest Cancelled

With great regret, we have had to cancel the 2012 contest. Although the closing date for entries to the contest had been extended, this did not increase the number of entries received and therefore it was not viable to run the event this year. Although disappointed, the Committee of WMBBA would like to thank the bands who had entered for their support and interest and apologise for any inconvenience to bands this decision may have caused. The Association also appreciates the fact that other bands made contact recording reasons why they were not entering this year – most stating they would be back next time. WMBBA are now looking at options for a 2013 contest

YOUTH TRAINING DAY – Saturday 24th November 2012

West Midlands Brass Bands Association is pleased to announce that it is presenting another of its popular Youth Training Days.  It will be held on Saturday 24th November 2012 at Studley High School, Crooks Lane, Studley, Warwickshire.  It is targeted at all brass and percussion players under the age of 18 years.  The cost for the day will be £5.00 per person.  The day will run from 11.00 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.  Further details and registration forms will be available shortly from this website and will also be circulated to bands on the WMBBA email list and/or by post.  To register or to change email addresses for receipt of details when available, please contact us or telephone 02476 442701

WMBBA Annual Contest: Closing date extended

The West Midlands Brass Bands Association has extended the closing date for entries to its Annual Contest being held on Sunday 14th October at Pershore High School, Pershore, Worcestershire.  The closing date for entries to this contest has been extended until  Friday 14th September.  Bands wishing to enter can obtain details or make enquires by email via this site  or by telephone on 01926 490329.

2012 Contest Details Published

ANNUAL CONTEST SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER 2012 Entry forms, rules and schedules are now available for the above contest and have been posted to bands on the WMBBA mailing list. Please note that this year, the Annual Contest venue is again at Pershore High School, Station Road, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 2BX on the earlier date of Sunday 14 October.  It is being held at this time on a one year trial basis and if it does not prove popular with bands it will revert to its usual date in November for 2013.  The new Pershore venue and its facilities proved very popular with bands attending last year. All details and tickets will be despatched in mid-September to bands that enter the contest. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if you have any queries either by phone on 02476 442701 or online Links to resources: Schedule 2012 Rules 2012 Entry Form 2012

£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

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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

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