Sydney City Brass has made the 10,500-mile journey from the east coast of Australia to compete at the British Open Championships this year.

It maintains the continuation of a global link to the contest that stretches back over a century, and which was first marked by the historic victory in 1924 of the Newcastle Steelworks Band which also became the first band to be presented with the famous Gold Shield Trophy.

Those pioneers have been followed since by the Australian Commonwealth Band (1926), Hawthorne (1982) and Brisbane Excelsior (2009).

King link

Although there are no players from either 1924 or 1926 still with us, there is certainly a cornet player from Hawthorn Band from 1982 who will be very much a part of the contest this weekend.

Prof David King played with Hawthorn in 1982, but making an even more indelible mark on the event by conducting five bands to victory to date.

Sydney City Brass

Sydney City Brass was formed in 2019 by MD Jason Katsikaris and Danny Alexander, and is now established as one of Australia's leading elite level performers.

Under Jason Katsikaris they won the Australian National Open A Grade Championship at its first attempt and retained the title when the championships resumed following Covid-19.

In 2025, when the National Band Council of Australia introduced the new Open Premier Grade as the country's elite brass band division, Sydney City Brass became the inaugural National Champion.

Many of its members, including Musical Director Jason Katsikaris, began playing together in the same junior band in Sydney than 40 years ago.

Current members come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and include teachers, a doctor, a pharmacist, a divorce lawyer, an actuary, an engineer, a buyer's agent, a winemaker and even an explosives engineer4BR

Diverse membership

Current members come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and include teachers, a doctor, a pharmacist, a divorce lawyer, an actuary, an engineer, a buyer's agent, a winemaker and even an explosives engineer.

Musical Director Jason Katsikaris is regarded as one of Australia's most accomplished brass band conductors, first establishing his reputation by guiding Gunnedah Shire band to success — from D Grade to A Grade National titles.

He also enjoyed considerable success with BTM, Leyland and Desford Colliery when he lived in the UK, including leading Leyland to two consecutive top four finishes at the British Open.

Tickets and Live Stream

Tickets for the 2026 British Open are available at:
https://bmusic.co.uk/events/the-172nd-british-open-brass-band-championship

Live stream coverage is available at:
https://thebritishopen.net/the-british-open-event/