A memorable 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival came to a close on Sunday evening after a weekend of numerous musical highlights enjoyed by an audience fortunate enough to make it to Manchester.

Global audience

Thanks to to being recorded by World of Brass for the Wobplay.com recording platform, a global audience will also be able to enjoy the incredible solo performances over the next few weeks from the likes of Yasuaki Fukuhara (above) with Black Dyke Band, as well as all the other concerts with their featured artists given in the RNCM Concert Hall from Foden's, Concord Brass Band, Tredegar, the RNCM Brass Band, Cory and Brighouse & Rastrick.

BBC Radio 3 was also on hand to record events, with Black Dyke's concert being broadcast in the next few weeks, whilst it is understood that Cory's world premiere of Richard Blackford's 'Orbital' and items from other concerts will also be featured.

Exceeded ambitions

Speaking at the end of the event, Artistic Director Dr David Thornton said that the event had "exceeded ambitions and expectations", thanks to the commitment and work undertaken by the featured bands and soloists, the music and the support of the people who had made the trip to the RNCM once again to support the event in numbers.

"It has been quite a weekend," he added. "Having these bands and these amazing soloists perform here showcases everything that is good about the banding movement — from the youngsters of the RNCM Junior Band and Yorkshire Youth Band, all the way to the elite performers."

Music sells

He added: "Once again though it was the music that sells it to the world — especially from Philip Sparke and the new voices that were heard such as Richard Blackford and the emerging young talent featured in the programmes. Everything about the weekend exceeded ambitions and expectations."