Brass Bands England has hit a significant membership target, with news that the organisation has just welcomed its 300th member band.

Endorsement

It is seen as an important endorsement of the ambitious work that is now being undertaken in reaching out to banding at all levels — with critical acclaim received for its initiatives such as BandSafe and DBS checks, its rejuvenated National Youth Championships and well received Artistic Development programme led by Cory MD, Philip Harper.

Future initiatives will include a series of 'Better Banding' training workshops and Player Development programmes led by Roger Webster and Paul Cosh, whilst the organisation hopes to bring the European Championships to Sage Gateshead in 2024.

Thrilled

BBE Chairman, Mike Kilroy told 4BR: "The trustees are absolutely thrilled at the impact that BBE has made over the last 12 months. This dramatic increase in our membership level is an indication of the outstanding services that BBE now provides and we're excited at the future prospects given the huge increase in engagement with all aspects of brass banding across the country."

The 300th band to join BBE was Haydock Band with its MD Mark Quinn, commenting: "We were delighted to become the 300th member. We decided to join after seeing the initiatives that BBE is championing and felt a national body is needed to better represent brass bands.

We would encourage the other 600 bands to join up and aid the national development of one of the best art forms in the UK."

This dramatic increase in our membership level is an indication of the outstanding services that BBE now providesBBE Chairman, Mike Kilroy

Join up

Bands and organisations interested in joining BBE can do so online via the website at www.bbe.org.uk or by contacting the Membership Support Officer at