*
banner

Boobs & Brass to come to an end

The remarkable brass band organisation has announced that its final fund raising chord will be heard in 2018.

Boobs and Brass
  The remarkable organisation was presented with a BBC Power of Music Award this year

The founders of the remarkable Boobs & Brass Band have confirmed that they are to stop its charitable fund raising activities at the end of 2018.

The next year will mark the final musical coda for the organisation which has risen over £210,000 for various cancer charities since it was set up by Maggie Betts and Jane Nichols in 2006, as well as inspiring others to launch partnership bands and various initiatives across the UK and the banding world.

Fabulous journey

"It's been a fabulous journey for everyone involved,"Maggie told 4BR. "However, we think we have done as much as we can, and we want to go out on a high.

Fund raising activities and initiatives are changing and traditional concerts are being replaced by other ways to help raise the essential funds. We recognise this and feel the time is right for Boobs & Brass to come to an end."

Iconic jackets

The all female band and their iconic pink jacket have been an incredible success — with sell out concert appearances and high profile events inspiring others to set up other 'Boobs' Bands. This year the band was presented with the BBC Music Day 'Power of Music' Award.

"We never believed it possible that it would be so successful when we started out with what we thought would be a 'one-off' concert',"Maggie admitted. "It just snowballed from there — and as a result we've enjoyed so many amazing experiences with bands and people.

I wouldn't want to single out any specific highlights as there have been so many over the years. We can't thank those who have supported us enough."

Latest campaign

Maggie did reveal that the latest campaign will see the band help fund a ninth cancer research project, whilst she believes that over 700 women and a few men have donned the pink jackets over the past 11 years.

"Those are the stars — the researchers who will carry on the important work and the people who have taken the time out of busy lives to come to perform and support us — many of who have had to go through the heartbreaking family experience of being affected by cancer."

The search for a cure does not end. All our thanks though go to those who have given something over the years — it's been an amazing privilege to have been a part ofMaggie Betts

Value

She concluded: "I hope people believe we have done something of value as an organisation and that others will now carry on fund raising in different ways.

The search for a cure does not end. All our thanks though go to those who have given something over the years — it's been an amazing privilege to have been a part of."

The Boobs & Brass organisation will carry on its fund raising activity to its final concert at Lincoln Cathedral on Saturday 13th October 2018.

Find out more

To find out more about Boobs & Brass go to:

http://www.boobsandbrass.com/

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    


EBBA Linz

European own-choice works revealed for Linz

April 17 • The own-choice selections from youth to elite contenders in Linz have been revealed — with excitement to go with the intrigue guaranteed in spades...


British Open

Livestream broadcasts brought in-house for Spring Festival and British Open

April 16 • The 2026 Spring Festival and British Open Championships will be broadcast in a new link between the organisers and Red Shell Productions.


NYBBGB

NYBBGB ready to add to plaudits in Manchester

April 16 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will head to the RNCM in Manchester this weekend.


BBE Young Leaders

Brass Bands England to help new youth leaders

April 16 • A course aimed at enhancing specialised skills to inspire the next generation of brass band players is launched with increased capacity by BBE.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 18 April • Hathersage Methodist Church . Main Road. Hathersage S32 1BB


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 1 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Waterbeach Brass

April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests


Chinnor Silver

April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday


Linthwaite Band

April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.


Chris Wormald

B.Mus (Hons), LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, adjudicator, arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd