The North American Brass Band Association was established in 1983 by J. Perry Watson, based on the over one hundred and fifty year old brass band movement in England, one that has established itself in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and Japan. In that same year, Watson also organized and hosted the first North American brass band competition held at North Carolina State University. Since that time, the brass band movement in North America has gone from strength to strength, and comprises both Salvation Army, amateur community and professional brass bands. There are presently nearly one hundred affiliated member bands and individual membership numbers nearly 2000 from Canada and the United States, bringing a whole new world of literature, performance, personalities, lore and history to enrich the musical life in North America.
NABBA GOALS
- To foster, promote and encourage the establishment, growth and development of amateur and professional British-style brass bands throughout the North America.
- To support and help further the music education of its members
- To advance the public's appreciation of the British-style brass band
- To serve as a resource for musical and organizational assistance to amateur British-style brass bands from across North America
- To sponsor competitions and regional music festivals for the purpose of improving performing standards and abilities of member bands
BENEFITS OF NABBA MEMBERSHIP
- Access to annual NABBA Competition for bands, small ensembles and soloists. These are held each April in major North American cities. Recent host cities have included Washington DC, Raleigh NC, Toronto ON, Red Wing MN, and Columbus OH. Future hosts include Chicago IL, and Lexington KY.
- Access to regional festivals sponsored by NABBA. Recent festivals have been hosted in Cedar Rapids IA, Lexington KY, and West Point NY.
- Access to the Great American Brass Band Festival competition. Each year NABBA sponsors an audio tape competition and the winners are chosen to represent NABBA at the prestigious and popular GABBF held annually in Danville KY with a significant cash prize award and national exposure. Winning bands are not permitted to reenter for three years to ensure fair and even representation.
- The sharing of ideas and resources within NABBA, its archives and other member bands. Some of the most significant accomplishments in NABBA have occurred with the building of friendships across the continent, the sharing of information, and coming together of members who range from grade schoolers to octogenarians.
- The sharing in guest clinicians, touring bands, and soloists sponsored by NABBA. In the past few years NABBA bands and affiliates have treated band members and local audiences to performances by internationally acclaimed soloists and conductors such as Philip McCann, Philip Smith, the Childs brothers, Stephen Mead, Geoffrey Brand, Russell Gray, and bands such as Desford Colliery, BNFL, the National Brass Band of New Zealand, and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
- Support and advice from the Board of Directors in your development as a brass band. NABBA can assist you with workshops and clinicians. Dr. Paul Droste, clinician for Yamaha, travels throughout North America presenting top quality brass band workshops.
- Four issues of The Brass Band Bridge and four issues of the NABBA Bulletin each year. These provide free advertising for member bands on a rotating basis, many informative articles, reviews of music and recordings of interest, and news on brass banding throughout NABBA and world-wide. It's a platform for telling the story and achievements of your band, a platform for requesting help in your efforts, for finding instruments and music, and enables you to keep up-to-date in the brass band movement.
If you want to play in a brass band NABBA can refer you!
If you want to form a brass band NABBA can advise you!
If you want to know more about brass bands NABBA can enlighten you!
Your involvement in NABBA both as a band and as an individual member empowers NABBA to be a strong organization, one that can take an aggressive, advocate role on behalf of, and in promoting brass bands and their achievements.
So Why not join?
Download the NABBA Membership Form (pdf).
MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
Individual $25 Retiree $15 Student $10 Family $40 Band $60 Corporate $100 Patron $500 Leadership $1000 Please mail checks payable to the North American Brass Band Association
Mail membership checks to:
Bert Wiley NABBA Membership Chair P.O. BOX 2438 Cullowhee, NC 28723 Further details of member bands are available upon membership to NABBA
homepage.