Bold as Brass contest to return to Wakefield

The combination of brass contesting and coal mining heritage will return again in June — with just 10 places up for grabs.

The event attracts a packed audience to bands to perform to.

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

After a successful event in 2024, the Bold as Brass contest will return this summer to the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Wakefield.

Delivered by Brass Bands England in partnership with the Museum, it will take place on Saturday 7th June.

Registration will open on Monday 27th January for bands in the Second Section and under, including an option for non-competing bands to participate.

March and programme

Competitors will be asked to perform a march and a 20-minute entertainment programme.

All performances will be adjudicated (not including non-competing bands), with trophies awarded to the winning bands for 'Best March Presentation', 'Most Entertaining Performance', 'Best Overall Band' and 'Best Youth Band' amongst others.

New audiences

The event returns backed by positive feedback from those taking part in the 2024, with Jess Wilson, BBE's Events Manager telling 4BR: "Bold as Brass's aim is to connect bands with new audiences of different ages and interests.

Banding has a rich, cultural history in mining, and by marrying that with a heritage setting bands have the unique opportunity to showcase all that they have to offer."

The event is designed to provide an opportunity for bands to perform marches within their repertoire as well as showcase their summer programmes where audiences can sit and enjoy the music.

In 2024, the event drew a crowd of over 1,000. I hope that everyone has a similarly positive experience in 2025Jess Wilson, BBE

Positive experience and enter

Jess added: "In 2024, the event drew a crowd of over 1,000. I hope that everyone has a similarly positive experience in 2025."

Bands in the Second Section and under (as of the January 2025 section structure) can enter from Monday 27th January via the BBE website.
https://www.bbe.org.uk/boldasbrass

Registration will close at midday on Monday 10th March or once places are filled.

There are 10 places available. A waiting list will open if the places are filled before the closing date. Bands on the waiting list will be notified if they have a space in the contest by the beginning of May.

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