Brass Bands England has spoken of its delight at the success of its hosting of the recent European Brass Band Championships in Birmingham.

The four-day festival saw a mix of competitions, concerts and added attractions with Cory taking the Blue Riband Championship Section title.

There were also European accolades for Brass Band Regensburg (Challenge Section), Youth Championship winners Catch Basin Brass Band and Wardle Academy Youth Band and European Composer victor, Theo Rossier.

Survey findings

The delight was further strengthened by the findings of a survey taken as bands performed on the Centenary Square outdoor bandstand stage funded by a substantial Arts Council England National Lottery Project award.

78% of people questioned were first timers at a brass banding event with 78% of those who attending also saying that were now more likely to attend a brass band event in future.

Media coverage

Local and regional media coverage saw exposure on the BBC twice over the weekend, as well as featuring on the Your West Midlands local television channel. Seven digital billboards dotted at key points around the city also ensured that the event couldn't be missed by visitors or local residents.

An outreach initiative also saw a concert featuring the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Collingwood, alongside a daytime workshop with 700 brass students from schools in Birmingham getting to play along with the Marines to music they have been learning in their school lessons.

The innovative approach saw the Gala Concert feature a collaboration between Cory Band and Louis Dowdeswell headlined as the 'most innovative and engaging performance in a generation' and which Brass Bands England believe could be a turning point for brass bands as a form of public entertainment.

Delighted

Commenting after the event, BBE CEO Kenny Crookston told 4BR: "Everyone at Brass Bands England is delighted at the success of the European Brass Band Festival in Birmingham.

From the first notes of Thursday's amazing education event with the Band of HM Royal Marines to the final flourish from Cory Band and Louis Dowdeswell's Big Band late on Sunday night, performances were all of the highest standards, while audience reactions were simply sensational."

Our staff and volunteer team worked tirelessly throughout the event and we are very pleased that public feedback to their work has been universally positiveBBE CEO, Kenny Crookston

Commitment and excellence

He added: "Our staff and volunteer team worked tirelessly throughout the event and we are very pleased that public feedback to their work has been universally positive.

I would like to thank every one of them for their commitment and excellence throughout the 17 months of the project, and the European Brass Band Association both for collaborating so positively and for showing faith in BBE to host the event in such challenging circumstances.

None of this could have been achieved without outstanding contributions from Arts Council England's National Lottery Project Grant scheme, Birmingham City Council and the event's various sponsors, including Besson which supported the outdoor event. We are extremely grateful to them all, and to the audience members whose attendance will contribute to a vibrant future for brass bands in the years ahead."