*
banner

Brass Bands England launches biggest ever survey

BBE wants to find out people's views and opinions about the current state of brass band contests.

BBE
  It is hoped the survey will be the biggest of its kind and help contest promoters with their future event development

Brass Bands England (BBE) has launched a survey to find out people's views on the current state of brass band contests.

The aim is to create a comprehensive view of its present position, to collate ideas to improve it, as well as gauge the appetite for potential change.

BBE hopes that event organisers will be able to use the information to inform, develop and ultimately improve their future events.

Questions

4BR was informed that the questions in the survey have been sourced from responses given by the brass band community following a debate concerning the purpose and structure of brass band contesting in the UK which was held at the 2019 BBE Brass Band Conference.

The following consultation process was made open to anyone in the brass band community, with Alex Parker, Relationship & Partnership Development Manager telling 4BR: "Due to the large volume of questions submitted by the community, BBE has split the survey document into several smaller survey sections to make the process of completing them less arduous.

88% of responses included questions about the National Brass Band Championships, which will form a single part of the survey on its own."

Survey club

He added: "The survey questions will be issued to participants on a weekly basis as part of a 'Survey Club'. After each survey, there will be a name drawn randomly from the participants and each winner will receive a year's free individual membership of Brass Bands England."

88% of responses included questions about the National Brass Band Championships, which will form a single part of the survey on its ownAlex Parker

Research

4BR was informed that the survey will hopefully form one of the largest pieces of research ever conducted into the activities of banding in the UK and may inform the direction of activities for years to come.

Alex said: "The aim is for as many bandspeople to take part individually so that this direction can best reflect the consensus of opinions. This is your chance to have your say on what you want in your banding going into the future!"

Take part

To take part in the survey and join the survey club, go to: https://forms.gle/UxiYb7BcC5C7PNon8

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Back row cornet vacancy. . Instrument available


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • Percussion - kit vacancy. . Pearl & mapex kits available . Own bandroom, no additional setting up between rehearsals


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

March 24 • 2nd Euphonium vacancy. . Flexible rehearsals available to support band-home life balance


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd