Brass band

A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting primarily of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands (particularly in the context of New Orleans and Japan–style brass bands), but may be more correctly termed military bands, concert bands, or "brass and reed" bands.

1 in E♭

Soprano cornet

9 in B♭ (in separate parts for 'solo', 'repiano', 2nd and 3rd cornets; there are 4 players on the 'solo' part, one repiano, two 2nd, and two 3rd)

Cornets

1 in B♭ (notated on the same part as the 'repiano' in some older music)

Flugel horn

3 in E♭ (called solo, 1st and 2nd)

Tenor horns

2 in B♭ (each with separate parts)

Baritone horns

2 (notated in B♭, playing separate parts)

Tenor trombones

1 (the only brass instrument in the band notated in Concert Pitch (C) on bass clef)

Bass trombone

2 in B♭ (usually playing the same part with divisi sections)

Euphoniums

4 (2 in E♭ and 2 in B♭, both notated in treble clef; often called Basses)

Tubas

2 or 3 players (with 2 or more timpani, glockenspiel, snare drum, triangle, cymbals, a drum kit and more)

percussion

Festivals and contests[edit]

One festival featuring brass bands is the Tarragona International Dixieland Festival, in Catalonia, Spain. The organisation programs not only dixieland brass bands but also ethnic or world music brass bands from over the world, including the Dirty Dozen Brass Band from the US, Boban Marković Orkestar from Serbia, the Jaipur Kawa Brass Band from India and Taraf Goulamas from Occitania France.

In the United States the Great American Brass Band Festival has been held annually in Danville, Kentucky for the past 30 years and is free for all. This event attracts brass band lovers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The Vintage Band Festival occurs in Northfield, Minnesota every three years.^[3]^[4]

The North American Brass Band Association^[5] sponsors an annual convention that provides member bands with the opportunity to compete in a contest format similar to those conducted in the United Kingdom and Europe. The contest is typically late March to early April every year.

In Boston, Seattle and Austin a series of festivals called HONK! bring together street brass bands (and other related ensembles) from the United States and Canada, and some bands from other parts of the world. The groups presented include Balkan Brass Bands, New Orleans brass bands, Political Action Bands, Klezmer, and "DIY" Alternative / Radical Community Bands.