This February, we have the honour of hosting the annual university brass band competition, UniBrass, at our very own Warwick Arts Centre! For us, as a band, this is the most exciting event of the year, and we feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity to host and receive students from all over the country for the biggest contest in British university brass banding!
Organising this years contest is the UniBrass organising committee, formed from volunteer members of the Brass Society. This is no mean feat and we are incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved so far and cannot wait to experience the full event on the 11th February 2023!
Of course, no contest is complete without an audience, so we’d love to invite all of you to join us in supporting our band as we compete for the UniBrass Shield, as well as all the other amazing university bands that are joining us for what will be a weekend to remember for years to come!
If you cannot make it in-person this year, don’t worry, you can also watch the contest online by purchasing a streaming ticket! Tickets to watch the contest in-person and/or online can be found by following the buttons below.
In addition to an amazing afternoon of music from the university bands, The Cory Band, current European Champions, will be performing an unforgettable Gala Concert to conclude UniBrass 2023.
Cory is widely renowned for its exciting performances and is recognised as one of Wales’s finest and most innovative music ensembles.
This will be hosted in the Arts Centre’s very own Butterworth Hall making this a concert not to miss!!
More information and tickets can be found using the button below.
The University of Warwick Brass Society is the ideal way to get involved in music. Whether you already play brass or percussion, or you would like to learn, there is something for everyone in our four different ensembles. You can join Beginners or Intermediates if you are new to the brass world, audition for our stellar dectet or join the unauditioned main band which regularly contests.
BrassSoc is committed to maintaining a high standard of music across all the ensembles, as shown by the recent successes of our main brass band in contests around the country, as well as our performances at regular concerts. Of course, it’s not just about the music, and as a society we hold a wide range of socials and activities during the year, from bowling and bar crawls to our annual Pudding Social, as well as a yearly tour, which this year saw us in Cologne. Even if you don’t come from a traditional brass band background, there’s nothing to worry about! Many of our current members had no experience of playing in a brass band before coming to university, which is a testament to the quality and musical diversity that the society offers.
If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, we are always very excited to welcome new members to the society, and I hope to see you at a rehearsal or concert soon! If you have any queries, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Emma Poppleton, Brass Society President 2019-20
Main Band
Main band is the society's largest ensemble. It competes regularly in contests and plays numerous concerts throughout the year. You don't need to audition to join, so come along and play some music!
Symphonic Brass
Symphonic Brass are a fully auditioned ten piece group who push the boundaries with brass music, playing a variety of contemporary and classical music.
Beginners Brass
Beginners Brass is the perfect ensemble for anyone new to brass playing. Members are offered free tuition and the chance to learn a brand new instrument in a fun environment.
Intermediates Brass
Progressed on from Beginners, or just coming back to playing after a while? Then Intermediates is the perfect group for you!
Hi! I’m in my third year studying psychology. I play tenor horn in main band, and have been playing in brass bands since I was 10. I’ve had side-ventures with the trumpet, flugel, percussion and conducting (not at the same time), but think vibrato on tenor horn sounds the best. I’ve been in BrassSoc (and loved every minute) since my first year and was a beginners coordinator last year. My favourite event I’ve arranged so far as President is Whit Friday, and I look forward to arranging many more- but I’m most looking forward to meeting all new members to the society!
Alwyn is a third-year engineering student, returning for his second round on exec after a year abroad in Germany. He has been playing trumpet for 15 years and cornet for 5 in numerous ensembles across Hampshire. Before joining the Brass Society, Alwyn played solo cornet for Otterbourne Brass and trumpet in the Hampshire County Youth Wind Ensemble (HCYWE). Alwyn also has experience playing the euphonium and French horn. His favourite musical moments are performing in a full-sized orchestra and concert band at the Royal Albert Hall, playing in Brandenburg Cathedral with the HCYWE, and touring Belgium with the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra. Alwyn has greatly enjoyed his time in the Brass Society, especially the socials, Real Ale Festival, Tri-Uni in Durham, and UniBrass in Bangor. On top of Main Band, Alwyn has also enjoyed being in Symphonic Brass – the Christmas concert with Hoggy being a particular highlight. Outside of BrassSoc, he spends his time in the Dirty Duck and playing squash.
Hi, my name’s Finn and I’m a 4th year Engineering student. I play cornet in Main Band and trumpet in Symphonic Brass, which I coordinate. I also dabble in conducting from time to time, which only adds to my ego as a trumpet player (just kidding, I hope!).
I have actually enjoyed Symphonic Brass so much that it is my second year coordinating it! My favourite moments have been conducting ‘I Got Rhythm’ at last year’s American music concert, and running the open taster session in week 1, where we play through lots of fun music. If you’re a trumpet/horn/trombone/tuba/percussion player, I hope I’ll see you there!
Hi! I’m Jack and I am a second-year chemistry student. I started playing brass at my local silver band on the baritone horn and later moved to the euphonium which I now play in the main band. My highlights of the brass soc calendar are the UniBrass contest, and the fantastic annual pudding social. My role on exec is to run the beginner and intermediate bands, which give anyone a chance to learn to play a brass instrument regardless of whether they’ve played a musical instrument before!
Hi there! I’m a third year Maths and Physics student from North Somerset. I’ve only been playing the tuba since I was sixteen, but it’s been so great getting the chance to play with others in the main band. At BrassSoc, my job is to organise merchandise (like the jumper I’m wearing in the photo), advertising for our concerts, and making social media posts like this one. I’m looking forward to our summer concerts and bringing loads of new talent into the band!
Hello! I’m a second year maths student. I’ve been playing percussion since I was eight and cornet since I was nine, although I currently play cornet in the main band. I have been playing in brass bands, as well as various other ensemble types, ever since. I joined the Brass Society shortly after the Free Concert in my first year (which I came to see). I’ve enjoyed it ever since, and I’m thrilled to have been pulled onto this year’s exec committee. Outside of BrassSoc, I play trumpet in the university Wind Orchestra and Big Band. I also enjoy playing table tennis and programming in C.
Hello! I’m Pip, a third-year undergrad, studying Maths with some Stats and Japanese. I’ve been playing the trombone for fourteen years, but before coming to Warwick, I had never played in a Brass Band! I cannot imagine life without brass-banding now. Occasionally, I also play the euphonium, kazoo, and melodica. This year, I am BrassSoc’s Social Secretary, providing dynamic events social events, this term including: Pub Golf in Leamington Spa, a Quiz Night like no other, and a trip to BrassSoc’s favourite curry restaurant, the Royal Bengal.
Peter is a third year chemistry student who has been playing the tuba for 9 years. He’s mainly played in orchestras and concert bands before joining Brass Soc, though he has had a lot of small brass ensemble experience at school and even a little bit of jazz tuba. Although Peter’s first year was a bit strange, he was still able to enjoy the rehearsals and UniBrass and can’t wait to get more involved with the society by being on the Exec this year.
Hi! I’m a third year studying Classical Civilisation. My first instrument is French Horn and I have loved being able to continue this is the society’s Symphonic Brass group. Since joining the society I’ve switched to Tenor Horn in main band, a switch which was made relatively seamless through the mentoring of other society members. Outside of rehearsals, I love coming along to all the socials and playing in other musical ensembles at the music centre!