The final Band Supplies — 4barsrest World Rankings of 2025 see Brass Band Treize Etoiles cement its position at the top, taking the end-of-year honours for the first time following its second place at the Swiss National Championships behind rival Valaisia. Brighouse and Rastrick's second place at Brass in Concert sees the Yorkshire band finish the year in the runner-up position, while Cory's continuing consistency is rewarded with the final podium place.
Breaking into the top ten for the first time since 2014 is the cooperation band, which made history at Gateshead both by being the first Scottish Brass in Concert Champion and the first winner with a female conductor in Katrina Marzella-Wheeler.
October and November were also very busy months for national contests throughout Europe, with victories for Brass Band Willebroek (Belgium), Gota Brass (Sweden), De Bazuin Oenkerk, Brass Band Oberösterreich (Austria), 3BA (Germany) and 1st Old Boys (Northern Ireland). There were also significant successes for Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag at Siddis Brass and Milnrow at the Scottish Open, both retaining the titles they won in 2024 and Milnrow soprano cornet player, Liam Orr, recording a remarkable personal success rate of seven wins from seven attempts at the Perth contest!
Other ranking contests taking place since the last update were:
Rochdale Contest — won by Sandhurst Silver;
Oxfordshire and District BBA Entertainment Contest — won by Kidlington Concert;
Stanley Brass Band Entertainment Contest — won by Felling;
Leicestershire BBA — won by Derwent Brass;
Borders Entertainment — won by Renfrew Burgh;
Wychavon Festival — won by Ratby Co-operative;
Durham County BBA — won by Bearpark and Esh;
SWBBA Torquay — won by Camborne Town;
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge- won by Unite Scotland Kinneil;
SEWBBA Tonyrefail Festival- won by Pontardulais;
NEMBBA Autumn Contest — won by Newstead Brass;
Gloucester BBA — won by Lydbrook;
US Open — won by Chicago Brass Band;
Wessex BBA — won by Friary Brass.
Finally, this is the time of year when we announce the biggest movers and shakers over the past 12 months.
In terms of points gained over the year, the highest-climbing bands of 2022 were:
2024 to 2025: Band, Total, Points
13 to 10: the cooperation band, 540.01
10 to 7: Brass Band Willebroek, 638.58
7 to 2: Brighouse and Rastrick, 999.68
34 to 11: Desford Colliery, 363.68
9 to 9 : Valaisia Brass Band, 612.47
28 to 17: GUS, 132.91
21 to 15: Whitburn, 176.43
16 to 13: Manger Musikklag, 188.18
47 to 27: Kleppe Musikklag, 74.75
18 to 16: Aldbourne, 165.67
Conversely, the bands that weren't so successful in 2025 are below. It should be noted, however, that they need to be pretty good in the first place to be on this list, as points lost are relative to those achieved in previous years. Ironically, Brass Band Treize Etoiles find themselves on this list!
2024 to 2025: Band, Total, Points lost
1 to 4: Foden's, -474.61
4 to 6: Flowers, -313.83
8 to 12: Tredegar, -285.98
5 to 8: Black Dyke, -226.65
3 to 3: Cory, -220.05
2 to 1: Brass Band Treize Etoiles, -190.90
11 to 18: Grimethorpe Colliery, -118.66
20 to 30: Krohnengen, -58.13
14 to 22: Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, -55.25
12 to 14: Burgermusik Luzern, -51.36
Ten highest new entries
58th. Wallberg Brass Band, Switzerland
129th. Willoughby City, Australia
130th. South Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire
136th. Dallas Brass Band, USA
143rd. Italian Brass Band, Italy
147th. Woolston Brass, New Zealand
152nd. Boarshurst Silver, North West
158th. Brass Band Scaldis, Belgium
164th. Graubünden Brass, Switzerland
166th. Roche Brass, West
So, it's been a year of significant movement and, no doubt, there will be another one ahead in 2026. Can Treize Etoiles consolidate its position as the world's number one contesting band, or will challengers from the UK, Norway or Belgium be the ones to make the biggest impact in the next 12 months?
Top 10 bands
1. Brass Band Treize Etoiles
2. Brighouse and Rastrick
3. Cory
4. Foden's
5. Eikanger-Bjørsvik
6. Flowers
7. Brass Band Willebroek
8. Black Dyke
9. Valaisia Brass Band
10. the cooperation band
To view all ranked bands go to:
