Brass Bands England

17/06/2026

ICYMI: The deadline for our Future Leaders' Programme has been extended, meaning applications can be submitted until this Friday 🤩

The course is perfect for all those with experience in a youth education or community setting - be you a recent music graduate, established peripatetic teacher, or youth band leader, we want to see your application!

We know life can get super busy, and suddenly you've missed that thing you were going to do. If you realised you didn’t make the deadline for our Future Leaders' Programme, don't worry - we've got a few spaces left, and we've extended the deadline! 🤩

You can now submit your applications until this Friday (19 June). Don't miss out; join us and transform your youth band leadership skills!

Got questions? Send them over to [email protected]

16/06/2026

Aged 18-25 and interested in shaping the future of brass banding? Our next Youth Voice Community meeting is happening tonight and you can be there!

Led by our young trustees, the group brings together young people from across the banding community to share perspectives, raise issues that matter to them, and help inform our work to support the sector.

To get involved with tonight's meeting, join the Whatsapp group via the QR code below 🙌

15/06/2026

We know life can get super busy, and suddenly you've missed that thing you were going to do. If you realised you didn’t make the deadline for our Future Leaders' Programme, don't worry - we've got a few spaces left, and we've extended the deadline! 🤩

You can now submit your applications until this Friday (19 June). Don't miss out; join us and transform your youth band leadership skills!

Got questions? Send them over to [email protected]

11/06/2026

🎓 Meet Andrea, a Porthleven Band player championing inclusive music-making 🎓

Andrea has helped grow Porthleven Town Band's Bandbuilders into a four-ensemble programme for developing players. She joined the Future Leaders’ Programme looking for new ways to keep sessions fresh, engaging and accessible, with the RSL qualification feeling more like a bonus along the way.

The practical Workshop Weekends gave Andrea ideas she could bring straight back into the bandroom. One of those was a hello song to start sessions, which she now sometimes uses with BSL or other languages. She also brought in visual prompts, including fi*****ng charts and transposition reminders, helping children connect with the music in different ways.

Alongside this, Andrea stretched herself through the conducting elective, building sessions that go beyond simply learning notes and fi*****ngs 👏

Applications for this year’s Future Leaders’ Programme close at 𝟗𝙖𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬. With less than 24 hours to go, now’s the time to get your application in via the link in the comments 👇

10/06/2026

🎓 Meet Joy, the peripatetic brass teacher leading the next generation of brass players 🎓

The inaugural year of the Future Leaders’ Programme coincided with Joy launching Brass Sparklers, the renowned beginner level band at Lewes, Glynde and Beddingham Brass Band. While she already had extensive experience teaching whole-class brass, she recognised that leading an out-of-school group needed a different approach.

Applying for and taking part in the Future Leaders’ Programme allowed Joy to develop particular skills in pacing, structuring a session, teaching notation to a large group and managing the energy levels of a lively group of young people.

Through implementation of consistent session routines and the support network that the Future Leaders’ Programme provides, Joy has benefited from a renewed confidence in her leadership. “When I feel confident,” she reflected, “children feel safe.”

We’re delighted to say that Joy will be joining our mentor team as a Supporting Practitioner at one of the hands-on Workshop Weekends 👏

Want to learn from our mentor team and Joy? You know what to do - apply now via the link in the comments!

09/06/2026

🎓 Meet Julie, the Drum and Brass director focused on the power of inclusive practice 🎓

Julie joined our Future Leaders’ Programme to strengthen her teaching methods, with a focus on developing group teaching approaches that would reduce the need for costly private lessons and make music learning more accessible.

The programme made an immediate difference in Julie’s practice, and since graduating from the course she’s introduced new ways of gathering feedback and injected youth voice into her planning and delivery.

Julie calls the Future Leaders’ Programme “the best thing that has happened in the brass band world in recent years” 🤩

Want to develop your teaching methods? Apply now for this year’s Future Leaders’ Programme via the link in the comments 👇

08/06/2026

🎓 Meet Rory, an ambitious musician making an impact in Sheffield 🎓

Rory joined Future Leaders through his work with Sheffield Youth Big Band, wanting to feel more confident at the front of the room and bring stronger planning into rehearsals. 🎶

Since taking part, that change has been easy to spot. His sessions have been described as “faster-paced, more confident”, with Rory now “firing on all cylinders at the front.”

Could Future Leaders help you take the next step in your own professional development? Find out more and apply for this year’s programme via the link in the comments.

06/06/2026

To round off our Unsung Hero awards for we have Susan Colvine from Ellington Colliery Brass Band! 🥇🥳

Susan has played with the band for over 40 years. She is their Treasurer and also main fundraiser, raising over £100,000 for instruments 😱👏🏻

She also ensures policies are regularly reviewed and updated. She is a committee member and a trustee, as well as tutoring in the 'Brass Roots' all ages training band 🎶

The band celebrated their centenary in 2025. The minute books from 1925 to 1939 were donated as part of that and Susan has published extracts from the historic minutes and photographs from the band’s archives weekly on social media 📖

Nominating her, John said: ‘We would not exist if it wasn't for Susan’ - and doesn’t that perfectly sum up the vital role volunteers play in bands up and down the country? 🙏🏻

Please join us in congratulating Susan, and indeed all of our Unsung Heroes! 🥳 It’s been such a positive week reading all of your lovely comments telling us just how much your volunteering heroes mean to you ❤️

05/06/2026

Today’s Unsung Hero as part of is the lovely Susan Newby from Longridge Band! 🥳

Susan has been a member of the band since 1980, and during that time has fulfilled EVERY committee position! Currently the band’s Treasurer, she’s organised overseas trips to France, Spain, Belgium and tours to the Menin Gate Memorial ✈️

Susan was instrumental in the band gaining charitable status, which has contributed enormously to their financial security💰 and she continues to keep all of the records updated to comply with Charity Commission guidelines ✅

Nominating her, Brian Law said: ‘Sue works unstintingly for all members of the band, young and old, and for 46 years has promoted and supported Longridge Band’ 🫶🏼

Please join us in congratulating Susan for being an Unsung Hero, and for an incredible contribution to banding! 🦸🏼‍♀️🏆🪊

05/06/2026

Applications for our Future Leaders' Programme close in one week!

Our year-long, level 3 certified course is the ideal opportunity to develop your youth band leadership skills. Whether you’re a recent graduate, peripatetic teacher or youth band leader looking to build confidence, we want to see you!

Find out all you need to know about the course and apply now 👇