Historic Brass Society

08/02/2026

Day 2 Presenters at the Early Brass Festival!

07/31/2026

We had a GREAT first day of presentations in Northfield, Minnesota at the Early Brass Festival!
Vintage Band Festival

07/23/2026

The Brass Band Story by Trevor Herbert

The new book by Trevor Herbert, The Brass Band Story, has just been published by Yale University Press London.

It is available in the UK and Europe: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300282573/the-brass-band-story/

For US customers, it is available for pre-order at: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300282573/the-brass-band-story/

A lively and engaging history of the brass band in Britain and beyond.

Brass bands have played a unique role in the cultural history of Britain. Amidst the industrial revolution, an increasingly urban population turned to music for mass entertainment. Brass bands became intimately associated with working men and spread across the country at breathtaking speed. At their height in the late Victorian era, there were thousands of them.

Trevor Herbert reveals the story of these bands, from their working-class origins and the enormous popularity of Victorian contests to their sophistication in modern times. It is a tale of the survival of tradition and the embrace of change. Victorian brass bands solidified communities and promoted shared local identities. As new modes of popular culture posed existential threats in the twentieth century, they reinvented themselves. The model British bands created is now replicated throughout the world.

This is a fascinating and revealing history of a much-loved aspect of Britain’s musical heritage.

Trevor Herbert was introduced to music in the junior brass band of the colliery where his father worked. His career has been divided between being a professional trombone player and academic life at the Open University, where he is now emeritus professor of music, and the Royal College of Music, where he is a research professor.

“The Brass Band Story is a delight, a fascinating look at a most British musical institution. An informative and engaging telling of a movement that continues to shape music making around the globe.”
—Douglas Yeo, formerly of Boston Symphony Orchestra

“An immediate must-have for brass enthusiasts and for general readers interested in this unique branch of music-making. The accessible and clear narrative exudes passion and expertise in equal measure. Just brilliant.”
—John Miller, Royal Northern College of Music

03/31/2026

Our March 2026 Newsletter is live! Did you miss it?

Join or Renew your membership today and stay up-to-date on new and exciting upcoming projects, the latest volume of the Historic Brass Society Journal, forthcoming recording reviews, and much more!

Are you a member, but didn't receive this month's newsletter? Make sure your email address is current within our Membership portal or contact us!

03/18/2026

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2026 Christopher Monk Award, Anneke Scott, in recognition of her
outstanding contributions to historical horn performance and period brass scholarship!

On Sunday, March 15, HBS Vice-President Sandy Coffin presented an award plaque to Anneke, prior to a concert of the Irish Baroque Orchestra in New York City.

Read more about this year's Monk Award recipient here!

The Historic Brass Society is an international music organization concerned with the entire range of early brass music, from Ancient Antiquity and the Biblical

01/12/2026

The HBS honors the life and legacy of John Wallace, a founding member of our society and cornerstone of the historic brass movement.

The Historic Brass Society is an international music organization concerned with the entire range of early brass music, from Ancient Antiquity and the Biblical

01/10/2026

🚨 Deadline Approaching!! 🚨

The Call for Proposals deadline for this summer's Early Brass Festival–in partnership with the Vintage Band Festival–is approaching.

We hope interested parties will consider submitting their ideas for exciting presentations! Submissions maybe sent directly to Sandy Coffin ([email protected]) as a PDF or Word docx attachment. We look forward to seeing you in Minnesota this summer!

12/23/2025

The HBS is excited to share a Symposium Recap on the Arban & Kosleck at 200 conference, co-hosted with the Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse in Lyon!

You can read all about A&K 200 here:

https://www.historicbrass.org/arban-kosleck-200-review

Additional reflection by HBS member and A&K 200 Keynote Speaker, Willi Budde, can be found on the Brass Unlimited website (linked below):

https://brassunlimited.de/brass-unlimited-in-lyon-20.-21.novemmber-2025/brass-unlimited-in-lyon-english

The Historic Brass Society is an international music organization concerned with the entire range of early brass music, from Ancient Antiquity and the Biblical