Brass Bands England (BBE) has announced that for the first time it is to offer membership dedicated to student bands.

The initiative has been developed in conjunction with the UniBrass Foundation, the charity that exists to support the development of university banding and which organises the vibrant UniBrass Championships.

Support

Commenting on the news, BBE CEO Kenny Crookston told 4BR: "Supporting the UniBrass Foundation's activities is a key element of the development of banding in the UK.

It allows BBE to continue to expand our existing support of UniBrass as well as help the university bands directly."

University bands will now become eligible for BBE membership for the same price as youth bands, but with the additional benefit of a £25 discount on entry to the UniBrass Contest. The 2019 event will be held at Bangor University on Saturday 2nd February.

BBE services

Alex Parker, BBE Partnership & Development Manager added: "Brass Bands England and UniBrass have worked together for many years, with BBE funding the adjudicators at recent events and supporting the organisation's 2011 Arts Council England funding bid.

In addition, the new deal will mean that all of BBE's services, such as the new insurance savings, can now be accessed by all university bands. I'm delighted that we can roll out all of our services to the student bands that are now a key element in the brass band landscape.

We are also looking at ways to take the offer given to student bands further and already have several ideas in the pipeline."

The UniBrass Foundation has enjoyed a close working relationship with BBE over the last few years and this new deal will help support the development of student brass bandsAndy Straiton, Chair of the UniBrass Foundation

Help

In response, Andy Straiton, Chair of the UniBrass Foundation, said: "The UniBrass Foundation has enjoyed a close working relationship with BBE over the last few years and this new deal will help support the development of student brass bands.

I sincerely hope they take up the opportunity to use BBE's services to help develop their bands, both musically with schemes like the artistic development programme, but also commercially, with member benefits such as the insurance savings provided by BBE's new scheme."

Find out more

Bands wishing to take up membership should visit: bbe.org.uk/join-us