For those that are wondering what BrassFestUK is all about, here is a brief summary.

In 1977 I started playing a Brass instrument with Abbey Brass in Abingdon, in 1996 my parents moved away from Abingdon and gave me the option to go with them or to stay in Abingdon, because of band I took the decision to stay. Banding was what made me who I am, without it I dread to think what might have happened to me, having a focus of Music and Theory exams and weekly rehearsals was very good for me as a teenager and when I left school at 15 with nothing, I still had band.

Over the years I have worked hard, ran the Abbey Brass Training Band for a number of years and am now lucky enough to be conducting that same band that I joined in 1977.

When I turned 50 I felt I owed the world of brass bands a big favour, taking the idea from an impromptu concert in the park next to the bandroom that attracted a bigger audience than our normal concerts, BrassFestUK was born. 

With help from Philip Harper and Cory band who have supported the project from day one and from Gavin Somerset and Pennine Music for sponsoring the event the idea became reality and in 2017 the first BrassFestUK took place. With 130 bands listed on the BrassFestUK website, sales of the Anthem for 2017 ‘The Spirit of Brass’ taking Gavin by surprise the first year was a great success.