Gloucestershire Brass Band Association
GBBA Bands
The GBBA have a wide range of members bands, from Championship to non-contesting bands. Throughout Gloucestershire, our members perform at contests and concerts all year round for the enjoyment of their audiences and themselves. The GBBA also have many member training bands that offer tutoring for youth and adult brass learners. To find out more about the training bands in the area, click here.
Below is a full list of member bands. Scroll down to find out more information about each band, including contacts, rehearsal details, and history.
A. W. Parker (Drybrook)
The A. W. Parker (Drybrook) Band is a Brass Band located in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. They are currently a First Section band, having won the Second Section Regional Finals in 2015. As well as contesting, the band also perform at many concerts and events in the surrounding areas.
David Harding (Chairman)
Tel: 07891 032 057
Email: david@drybrookband.co.uk
Address: 41 Hollywell Road, Mitcheldean, Glos. GL17 0DL
Bream Silver
Based in the village of Bream in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Bream Band are a happy, friendly 2nd Section brass band.
Barbara Purvis (Secretary)
Tel: 01594 564 382
Email: barbarapurvis7@aol.com
Address: The Old Telephone Exchange, Parkend Road, Whitecroft, Lydney, Glos. GL15 4PB
Bristol East & Kingswood
Bristol East & Kingswood Band, also known as the BEaK Band, is a totally self-supporting registered charity. BEaK is a non-contesting band and performs as a small ensemble of musicians who aim to give high quality performances of traditional and contemporary music at both indoor and outdoor venues around the Bristol and Bath area. New and guest musicians are always welcome. BEaK Band also like to support local causes and charities such as the Bristol Children's Hospital, St Peter's Hospice, Dogs for the Blind, and the Jessie May Trust, to name but a few. The band rehearse on Thursdays from 7:45pm to 9:45pm.
Contact the Band
Chalford Band
Chalford Band is a flourishing brass band organisation in the Gloucestershire village of Chalford, between Stroud and Cirencester. It operates three bands: Senior (1st Section), Academy (Fourth Section) and Youth (Third in Intermediate BYBB 2019).
Rehearsals: Monday & Thursday.
Kelly Brazneill (General Secretary)
Email: kellybrazneill@hotmail.com
Andrew Powis (Contest Secretary)
Email: andrew.powis@hotmail.co.uk
Cheltenham Silver
Cheltenham Silver Band plays regularly at bandstands and events in Cheltenham and the surrounding area. They are also a contesting band, competing in the third section. As well as the main band, they have a thriving leaner group and a training band that cater for all ages and backgrounds. So if you are interested in learning to play or even just wish to reignite a love of brass, please get in touch. Practices are currently held at the Parklands Community Centre, Cheltenham on Monday and Friday evenings for the main band, Mondays for learner band, and Fridays for the training band. They’d love to see you!
Abby Brook (Secretary)
Email: contact@cheltenhamband.co.uk
Tel: 01452 724 125
Cinderford
Cinderford Band is a competing Second Section band. Formed in 1879 our traditional band is based in the Town of Cinderford. This is in the glorious Royal Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. We cater for all tastes and themes, and with one of the biggest collection of music in the south-west, you have a great choice!
Ruth Davies (Secretary)
Tel: 01594 563 884
Email: ruth.davies48@btinternet.com
Cirencester
As a non-contesting brass band, Cirencester Band regularly plays at bandstands, concerts, fetes, and many other events both in Cirencester and in the surrounding towns and villages. The band gives it's 'Christmas Cracker' concert in Cirencester Parish Church each December, raising money for a different local charity each year. The band also takes part in Cirencester Town Council's programme of Sunday afternoon concerts on the Bandstand in the Abbey Grounds.
Our Rehearsal Night is Friday, 8-10pm.
Ian Hartnell (Bandmaster)
Tel: 01285 656 662
Email: bandmaster@cirencesterband.org.uk
City of Bristol
The City of Bristol Band was formed in 1936 and has a proud history performing at many venues across the width and breadth of the UK. During the 1960s, they performed at the Royal Albert Hall on three separate occasions. City of Bristol Brass Band are located in North Bristol and currently have over 30 members across its Senior Band and Learner Band. The band's main objectives are to perform for the pleasure of band members and public alike. Over the past years, the band have progressed through the sections and are currently graded as first section. The City of Bristol Brass Band and its committee firmly believe that it has the determination and talent to succeed. With its Youth Band bringing on new talent, the band can see brass banding in Bristol lasting for some time to come.
Email: secretary@cobbb.onmicrosoft.com
Emma Davies (Contest Secretary)
Filton Concert Brass
Filton Concert Brass is Bristol's Championship Section brass band, with a focus on competing and high profile concerts. Filton are currently Welsh Open Champions 2018-2019, Wychavon Festival of Brass Champions 2018, and the band recently released their debut CD Tales from the West Country. Visit the band's Facebook page @filtonconcertbrass and follow them on Twitter @filtonbrass for updates.
The organisation also includes a community band, known as F2, which is open to all players of all ages and abilities. F2 can be found regularly performing in Bristol and the surrounding area throughout the year.
Email: filtonconcertbrass@gmail.com
Julie Fews (Secretary)
Email: Filtonconcertbrass@gmail.com
Sheila Gould (Filton Community Band - F2)
Flowers Band
A Championship section band based in Gloucester, Flowers have won the West of England Regional Finals 7 times in the past 8 years placing them firmly in the top 10 UK Rankings. Regular competitors at the British Open and Brass in Concert, Flowers rehearse twice weekly at Gloucester Academy of Music, Gloucester.
Clare Smith (Secretary)
Email: manager@flowers.band
Forest of Dean Brass
A First Section band based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean Brass are the 2014 West of England Second Section Champions.
Hayley Marangon (Secretary)
Email: fodbrassband@gmail.com
Rebecca Berrow (Contest Secretary)
Email: rebeccaberrow@gmail.com
Frampton on Severn Silver
We are a fourth section brass band based in the picturesque Gloucestershire village of Frampton on Severn.
Sally Joyce (Secretary)
Email: sallyjoyce@yahoo.com or info@framptonband.co.uk
Gloucester Brass
Gloucester Brass is a non-contesting band with the aim of providing enjoyment and pleasure for its members and audiences. It has a full programme of summer engagements and occasional concerts at a variety of venues, including public parks, Churches, the Docks, fetes and civic events. The Band draws its members mainly from within the city boundaries, with a few members travelling from the surrounding district. It is always looking out for new members, of any age and at all levels of ability.
Emily Kempster (Chairperson)
Email: eap78@hotmail.co.uk
Email: gloucesterbrass@yahoo.com
Gloucester Excelsior
A non-competing band based in Abbeydale. Rehearsals on Fridays from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. We give a warm welcome to new and visiting players.
Andrea Reid (Chairman)
Tel: 07960 476 750
Email: a_e_reid@hotmail.com
Address: St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Avenue, Churchdown, Gloucester. GL3 2DB
Lydbrook
Lydbrook Band are a First Section Band based in the heart of the Royal Forest of Dean.
Robert Morgan (Secretary)
Tel: 01594 860 944 or 07796 442 463
Email: robertmorgan4@hotmail.co.uk
Address: Cheristow, Stowfield, Lower Lydbrook Gloucestershire, GL17 9PD
Lydney Town
Lydney Town Band is an unsponsored, non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of Brass band music, and the provision of brass instrumental musical education within the local community. We welcome any players to join us at our rehearsals on Fridays evenings (7.30 - 9.30pm) at the Band's own band room in Swan Road, Lydney. Lydney Town Band also has a thriving Training Band and Starter Group open to anybody who wishes to learn a brass instrument in a fun and relaxed setup.
Kerry Ford (Secretary & Youth Development Officer)
Tel: 01594 530 886
Email: kfordfamily@btinternet.com
Address: Westwood, Sandy Lane, Hewelsfield, Nr Lydney, Glos. GL15 6UX
Marshfield Band
Marshfield Band are a non-contesting band based in the village of Marshfield in the Cotswolds, between Chippenham, Bath and Bristol. The band were formed in 1934 and had a brief break for WWII re-starting in 1948.
We are a friendly group who meet up on Wednesday evenings at the Withymead Football Club in Marshfield from 7:45 - 9:45 with a brief visit to the local pub after. New players and visitors are assured of a warm welcome. The band perform at a wide variety of engagements throughout the year, in Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire and raise money for different charities. Recent charities have been Dorothy House Hospice, The Leukaemia Ward at Southmead Hospital, Julian House and Doorway.
We can be followed on our band's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/marshfieldbrassband
Secretary: Sarah Johnson squirrelsflugel@gmail.com
Musical Director: 07735 901415
Monmouth Town
Monmouth Town Band is a long established Brass Band who meet in Monmouth at Overmonnow Family Learning Centre. The band is 'non contesting', we play for enjoyment. We welcome all brass players - whether joining or just visiting - and our members span very wide ranges of both age (teens to eighties) and ability.
Our schedule of engagements is light and that helps our members balance their various home, work and playing commitments - some members belong to additional bands.
The Band's rehearsals are held on Thursday nights, 7.30pm to 9pm.
Please look at our website for further details.
Lynne Loughlin (Secretary)
Tel: 01594 834 623 or 07734 235 754
Email: lynneloughlin@yahoo.com
Nailsworth Silver
Nailsworth Silver Band are a friendly, contesting 3rd Section band. Rehearsals are in our own band room at 7.15pm on Mondays. We also have a training band who rehearse earlier on a Monday.
Debbie McDougall (secretary)
Email: colandeb2@btopenworld.com
Telephone:
Address: (The Band Room) Brewery House, Brewery Lane, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0JQ
Parkend Silver
A non-registered village band based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. We are 20 miles from Gloucester and 10 miles from Chepstow.
Sharon Thomas (Secretary)
Phoenix Brass
Friendly Phoenix Brass, a 4th section band is based in the village of Froxfield, on the Wiltshire/ Berkshire border. We provide facilities for brass band players to participate in musical activities of many types, provide educational and training facilities for persons of all ages to learn to play a brass instrument and also assist other organisations, charitable and community, in achieving their goals whenever possible, by making use of the Band's abilities.
Our current rehearsal nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, with beginners and junior players practice & lessons on Saturday mornings from 10am.
Richard Fradgley (Secretary)
Email: r.fradgley@btinternet.com
Pillowell Silver
Formed in 1889 Pillowell Silver Band is based in the village of Pillowell in its own bandroom on Captains Green. Pillowell are a very friendly band of mixed ages who rehearse twice a week on Tuesdays at 7:30pm and Fridays at 7:00pm, new players and visiting players always welcome.
Please see the website for more details or contact:
Chris Gwynne (Chairman)
Email: chrisandsue12@btinternet.com
Alison Hennessy (Secretary)
Email: alisonhennessey@btinternet.com
Ian Whitburn (Musical Director)
Tel: 07894 998 225
Email: info@pillowellsilverband.com
Ross-on-Wye Town
Ross-on-Wye Town Band are a non-contesting band whose aim is to provide entertainment for the people in and around the town of Ross-on-Wye. Whilst this means the band plays music the audience will know and enjoy, the band also chooses music that is challenging to the players. The main band performs at least 2 concerts each year, plays at fetes and bandstands throughout the summer months, and has many engagements during the Christmas festive period. Ross Band meets at 7.30 Friday evenings at the Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, Ross on Wye, HR9 7QD. Learners of any age would be most welcome at our training band.
Jo Cook (Secretary)
Email: rosstownband@gmail.com
Stourport-on-Severn Brass
We are a friendly bunch based in Worcestershire (our players come from various places around the area) who enjoy making music to the best of our abilities!we work hard towards concerts and contests throughout the year and are really looking forward to progressing together as a band. New players are always made very welcome.
We rehearse on a Tuesday evening, 7.45-9.45pm, at Stourport Sports Club, Kingsway, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 8BQ. Come and have a blow, listen or for a cuppa at half time!
Joanne Foskett (Player & Committee Member)
Tel: 07902 016 539
Email: joannefoskett@yahoo.co.uk
Tewkesbury Town Band
Tewkesbury Town Band is a friendly, competing Fourth Section band. It is the most Northerly band in the West of England, situated just off junction 9 of the M5. The band enjoys a varied concert programme throughout the year and competes at the area contest in Torquay. Rehearsing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, they participate in a variety of formal concerts, outdoor engagements, and competitions. The band regularly tours to its twin town in Bavaria, Germany, has enjoyed a tour to Ireland, and has hosted bands from Norway, Belgium, Holland, Ireland and Germany. Tewkesbury Town Band also have Beginner and Intermediate bands with over 40 players that underpin the organisation.
For further information please contact:
Sue Corrigan (Secretary)
Tel: 07904 859 249
Thornbury Town
Thornbury Town Band is a brass band located in Thornbury. South Gloucestershire. The band meet at 7.30pm every Tuesday in Thornbury United Reformed Church. We currently have vacancies in all sections, and welcome players of all abilities.
The band plays at many concerts, fetes and other events throughout the year, and hope to return to contesting in the near future.
Ann Bodenham (Secretary)
Tel: 07728 238 734
Email: thornburytownband00@gmail.com
Address: 7 Rangers Avenue, Dursley, Glos, GL11 4AR
Wotton Silver
Wotton Silver Band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.45pm in Wotton-Under-Edge (situated 6 miles from Junction 14 of the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester) and performs approximately 20 engagements per year including contests - at First Section level from 2021.
Founded in 1894, the band has a proud history of music-making in its local district and has two learner groups. For its 125th anniversary in 2019 the band shared the stage with the world's number one band, the Cory Band. Guest soloists such as Tom Hutchinson, Paul Richards, and Matthew White have performed with the band in recent years.
Whilst we currently seek a new Musical Director after a successful period with Ian Dickinson at the helm, Interim MD David Lawrence has led the band through the Covid-19 pandemic in producing multi-video performances both for our local community and for online contests. See our YouTube channel and social media (Facebook and Twitter).
Simon Oliver (General and Contest Secretary)
Tel: 07976 224 283