Tag: WMBBA

The City of Birmingham Brass Band at Whit Friday Marches Date: Friday, 13th June 2025 Time: All Day Location: Various Venues Across Saddleworth and Tameside Experience the Tradition and Excitement of the Whit Friday Marches Join The City of Birmingham Brass Band for one of the most iconic events in the brass band calendar — the Whit Friday Marches. Often referred to as “the greatest free show on Earth,” this day-long event combines music, competition, and community spirit in a truly unique celebration. What to Expect: An exciting lineup of brass bands from across the UK and beyond, competing in the historic Whit Friday contests. Performances at multiple venues throughout the day, each with its own distinct atmosphere. A showcase of musical excellence as bands perform both a street march and a contest piece. About Whit Friday: Dating back to the 19th century, the Whit Friday Marches are a cherished tradition in the brass band world. Bands travel between villages in Saddleworth and Tameside, performing for enthusiastic crowds and competing for prizes. Plan Your Visit: Transport: Due to the nature of the event, private transport or organized group travel is recommended. Parking can be limited, so plan ahead. Comfort: The event involves walking between venues, so wear comfortable footwear and dress for the weather. Food & Drink: Cafés, pubs, and vendors will be available throughout the route, but bringing snacks and water is advisable for the day. Support The City of Birmingham Brass Band Cheer us on as we compete and share the joy of brass band music with audiences across the region. Your support makes our performance even more special! For updates and more information, contact us info@birminghambrass.co.uk or follow us on social media. We can’t wait to see you there! 🎺✨

Brass Band Week: 5 – 13 July 2025 Imagine a UK-wide festival of exciting brass band events for people of different ages, backgrounds and interests, offering the opportunity for new audiences to discover the joy of a brass band through hundreds of events in parks, concert halls and on local high streets. What is Brass Band Week? Brass Band Week is an annual event launched by Brass Bands England in 2024 to raise awareness of our nation’s brass bands and everything they have to offer. Any events featuring brass bands or brass playing can take part by submitting their details to be part of the UK-wide festival. The second national Brass Band Week will take place 5 – 13 July 2025 and will be open for submissions from early 2025. Just tell us what you’ll be up to during the week, and we’ll do the rest. Benefits of taking part Brass Band Week is all about helping you reach new audiences. Taking part means you’ll benefit from lots of support, including: National PR campaign Paid advertising Prizes for best events Social media marketing Listings distribution Brass Band Week merchandise Training, support Add your event listing Anyone can upload their event listing for free, you do not need to be a member of Brass Bands England. To upload your listing, please visit the Brass Band Week event listing form. Your event will then be moderated by a member of the Brass Band Week team and we’ll email you within five working days to confirm its inclusion. You can then start spreading the word that you’re taking part, including adding the Brass Band Week logo to your marketing materials. BBE members: Take advantage of boosted event listing benefits by adding your Brass Band Week event in the usual way, via your Member Dashboard (once logged-in). This means that your event will link through to your band profile so that audiences can find out more about your band. Your event will also appear on your band profile, and audiences will be able to see other events that you have coming up too. If your event includes performances from children and you’re applying for use of the BBE BOPA, you don’t need to upload your event seperately. Just remember to tick the ‘public event’ box on the BOPA form to indicate that you’d like to list the event publicly. To find out more about joining our membership organisation visit our Join BBE page. Got questions? You can get in touch with Clair and the Brass Band Week team at brassbandweek@bbe.org.uk. Benefits – more details Benefits for Brass Band Week 2025 are still being finalised but you can have an idea of the kind of support you’ll get by reading last year’s benefits below. Most of these benefits will remain the same and additional support will also be added for 2025. Listings distribution Upload your event listing once and we’ll do the rest by sending it out to at least five other event listings providers! We’re working with: The List – the UK’s most popular arts and entertainment guide, reaching over 900,000 every month WhereCanWeGo? – another popular event listings website serving all the United Kingdom with a comprehensive insight into local events Outdoor Arts – the one-stop-shop for festivals, performances and anything creative taking place outdoors Bachtrack – concert-style events will be shared with Bachtrack, the leading music site for worldwide reviews and listings of classical concerts Brass Map – our new friends at brassmap.co.uk, working tirelessly to create an online hub for all brass band events Regional listings – compilations of events in cities and regions will be sent to providers such as Time Out, What’s On and In Your Area Brass Bands England – plus our own Brass Band Week directory and UK events map Prizes for best events – six prizes! Your chance to win a £120 voucher for Pennine Music Publishing, a bespoke Besson goodie bag, two tickets to the British Bansdman concert series (Flowers Band 28 September 2024 at Reading Town Hall), a set (two bottles) of Bandsman Gin, or two year’s free membership to Brass Bands England. Prizes will be awarded as spot prizes for excellence in areas such as community impact, artistic programming, innovation or inspiring the younger generation. National PR campaign We’re working with Arts Media Contacts (AMC) to deliver a large-scale PR campaign to champion the many benefits of brass banding as well as promote and highlight your individual events and activites. We’re also supporign you to make your own local connections with journalists – a recording of our webinar ‘PR: how to get it right’, delivered by AMC, will be available soon in our Member Resources library. Paid advertising A paid advertising campaign via the UK’s most popular arts and entertainment listings site The List will include online banners, email and social media features and competitions. A centralised Facebook advertising campaign will also target music-lovers, families, and people looking to make connections in their local community. Social media marketing As above, a centralised Facebook advertising campaign will also target music-lovers, families, and people looking to make connections in their local community. A central organic-social campaign will be carried out by Brass Bands England. Please send your images, vidos, press releases and other content to brassbandweek@bbe.org.uk and use the hashtag #BrassBandWeek and tag Brass Bands England across platforms so that we can reshare your posts. Brass Band Week merchandise The order deadline for Brass Band Week 2024 has now passed. For 2025 we expect to continue free Brass Band Week bunting, posters and customisable posters, along with stickers for those participating in #PromsInThePlayground. Music stand banners and pop-up banners may be available to some of our partner event organisers on advanced request. Training, support & case studies Available for free for Brass Bands England members. Please login and visit your Member Resources library to find recordings of our recent marketing and PR webinar series. Let us know what events you’ve got going on by emailing us: Contact@wmbba.org  and check out our Events Page: Here

Ironbridge Festival of Brass Discover the Ironbridge Festival of Brass: A Celebration of Music and Heritage If you’re a fan of brass bands, music festivals, or cultural events that blend tradition with excitement, then the Ironbridge Festival of Brass is an event you won’t want to miss. Held annually in the picturesque town of Ironbridge, Shropshire, this festival brings together some of the finest brass bands in the country for a weekend filled with music, performances, and community spirit. Here’s everything you need to know about this unique, free event. What is the Ironbridge Festival of Brass? The Ironbridge Festival of Brass is an annual music festival that showcases the incredible talent of brass bands from across the UK. Set against the historic backdrop of Ironbridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the festival is a must-visit for music lovers of all ages. Over the course of the weekend, visitors can enjoy a variety of performances, from traditional brass band competitions to open-air concerts, all while experiencing the charm of this iconic town. This event celebrates the long-standing tradition of brass band music, which has deep roots in the UK. It brings together local brass bands, as well as national and international performers, in a series of concerts and competitions that are both entertaining and inspiring. Why Visit the Ironbridge Festival of Brass? 1. A Unique Musical Experience The festival offers an incredible opportunity to experience the best of brass band music in one of the most scenic locations in the UK. The performances range from traditional brass band marches to contemporary brass compositions, with each band bringing its own flair to the stage. Whether you’re a brass band enthusiast or just someone looking to enjoy great live music, this festival has something for everyone. 2. The Historic Setting of Ironbridge Ironbridge is known for its rich industrial heritage, and the town’s iconic bridge – the world’s first iron bridge – is just the beginning. Visitors can enjoy the festival while also exploring the town’s many attractions, including the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, local shops, and stunning riverside views. The blend of history and culture makes the Ironbridge Festival of Brass an event like no other. 3. A Free Event for All One of the best things about the Ironbridge Festival of Brass is that it’s completely free to attend! There’s no need to buy tickets or register in advance, so everyone can enjoy the performances and festivities without any barriers. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience high-quality brass band music at no cost, making it the perfect event for families, music lovers, and visitors of all ages. 4. Fun for the Whole Family The Ironbridge Festival of Brass isn’t just for music lovers – it’s a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone. Alongside the music, there are food stalls, craft vendors, and plenty of activities for children, making it the perfect day out for families. The welcoming atmosphere ensures that both young and old can enjoy the sights and sounds of this wonderful festival. How to Get Involved in the Ironbridge Festival of Brass Whether you’re interested in performing, volunteering, or simply attending, there are several ways to get involved in the festival: Volunteering: The festival relies on the support of volunteers to help with everything from event setup to assisting visitors during the festival weekend. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and contribute to the success of this celebrated event. Attending: Of course, the most popular way to enjoy the Ironbridge Festival of Brass is to attend as a visitor. Since the event is free, you can simply show up and immerse yourself in the music and festivities! What to Expect at the Festival The festival typically includes: Brass Band Performances: Watch some of the finest brass bands perform live, showcasing their musical prowess and competing for prizes in a variety of categories. Workshops and Masterclasses: For those interested in learning more about brass music, the festival offers educational workshops and masterclasses with industry professionals. Community Events: The festival is deeply embedded in the local community, with many activities taking place around Ironbridge, including food and drink stalls, local craft markets, and family-friendly events. Plan Your Visit The Ironbridge Festival of Brass is usually held during the summer months, making it the perfect event for a weekend getaway. Whether you’re traveling from nearby cities or planning a trip from further afield, getting to Ironbridge is easy, and the town offers a range of accommodation options, from charming B&Bs to luxury hotels. Important Event Details: Date: 12th & 13th July 2025 Location: Ironbridge, Shropshire Admission: Free entry for all visitors! Final Thoughts: A Celebration of Music and Community The Ironbridge Festival of Brass is more than just a music festival – it’s a celebration of heritage, community, and the timeless appeal of brass band music. Whether you’re attending for the music, the atmosphere, or the chance to explore Ironbridge, this festival offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out on one of the most exciting cultural events in Shropshire. Mark your calendar, and get ready to experience the Ironbridge Festival of Brass – where music, history, and community come together in harmony.   Check out their Website: Here Plan your events using our Events Calendar: Here!