*
banner

Strong line-up for Dublin Festival of Brass

Nine bands from across the eastern United States will be in Ohio later this month for the second Dublin Festival of Brass.

dUBLIN fESTIVAL OF bRASS
  The Dublin Festival of Brass promises to be a great weekend of high quality music making

It has been announced that eight bands from across the eastern United States will travel to Dublin, Ohio later this month to join hosts Dublin Silver Band for the second annual Dublin Festival of Brass.

The festival takes place from Friday 23rd — Monday 25th March and will also see Besson artist Steven Mead leading a conducting masterclass as well as performing on the opening evening.

The following day (Saturday 24th March) all nine bands will compete at the Dublin Jerome High School Performing Arts Center (8300 Hyland-Croy Road, Dublin, OH 43016). Performances begin at 11.00am with the doors opening an hour earlier.

Bands

Featured bands include:
Arkansas Musicworks Brass Band (Bentonville, AR)
Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band (Hockessin, DE)
Cincinnati Brass Band (Cincinnati, OH)
Crossroads Brass Band (Franklin, IN)
Dublin Silver Band (Dublin, OH)
Eastern Iowa Brass Band (Mount Vernon, IA)
Fillmore Philharmonic Brass (Cincinnati, OH)
Oakland University Brass Band (Oakland, MI)
Prairie Brass Band (Arlington Heights, IL)

Prizes

Bands will compete for several prizes, including 'Best March', 'Best Slow Melody', 'Best Major Work', and the Grand Champion Prize — the Paul E. Droste Shield, named for the former Director of the Ohio State University Marching Band and former President of the North American Brass Band Association.

Steven Mead will adjudicate the competition using his criteria-based assessment rubric.

In addition to band prizes, individual prizes will be awarded to the best players including soprano, cornet, flugel, tenor horn, baritone, trombone (or trombone section), euphonium, bass section and percussion.

Dr. William Ballanger, Director of the Ohio State University School of Music, will be the adjudicator for these prizes.

Steven Mead will also perform while the awards are finalized.

On Sunday morning (10.45am) Steven Mead will perform with the Chapel at Worthington Woods Corps Band at the Chapel at Worthington Woods (760 Worthington Woods Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43085).

Steven Mead will adjudicate the competition using his criteria-based assessment rubric4BR

Ticket information:

Friday and Sunday's events are free (donations to support future festivals are welcome); tickets for Saturday's main event are $15.

More information, including a link to ticket sales, can be found at the festival website dublinbands.com/dfob

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    


Unite

Results: 2026 Holme Valley Contest

April 29 • Unite the Union is in top hymn and test piece form in Holmfirth with section titles going to Hatfield & Askern Colliery and Shepherd Youth Band


Laganvale

Results: 2026 BBNI Spring Festival

April 29 • Laganvale Metal Technology strikes gold in Omagh with section titles for CWA Brass, St Mark's Silver and 1st Old Boys Youth.


Linz

Result: 2026 European Youth Championships Premier Section

April 26 • Premier delight for Hordaland Ungdomsbrassband as Norway reigns supreme in Linz.


Linz

Result: 2026 European Youth Championships Development Section

April 26 • Its a Norwegian one and two as the title is claimed by Smoras Skolemusikk.


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Saturday 25 April • St Wilfrid's Church. Church Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 8LA


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


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


CLEETHORPES BAND CIO

April 23 • Cleethorpes Band are seeking a Musical Director. The band rehearse on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Placed 3rd in the North of England 4th section contest. We are a registered charity and have a thriving training band.


Leicestershire Co-op Band

April 23 • SOLO HORN Vacancy. The Leicestershire Co-op Band (2nd Section National Finalists & 1st Section from 2027) have a vacancy for Solo Horn. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests and concerts, always striving for high musical standards.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd