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!
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Burton Dassett Concert
Friday, 23 June 2023 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
All Saints Church, Warwickshire, Southam CV47 2AB, UK
Eleanor is a second-year maths student. She started playing French horn at age 11, but had never played in a brass band until university. She joined BrassSoc in her first term and shortly afterwards took up tenor horn as well.
The highlights of her time in BrassSoc so far have been Whit Friday, UniBrass and of course carolling.
Outside of BrassSoc, she can usually be found reading, crocheting or playing French horn in Wind Orchestra.
Alex is a second-year economics student who started off playing the trumpet at around age 11, but since joining Warwick Brass Society has picked up the cornet and really enjoyed it! Apart from Brass banding, Alex enjoys playing tennis and watching Formula 1.
Ella is in second year studying French and Arabic. She has been playing the cornet for 7 years and the piano for 11, with a brief stint on the violin (a relief for all involved when she gave it up). She grew up in Dubai and entered the world of brass banding 5 years ago after moving back to the Peak District, playing in many concerts and contests with her local Brass band. Highlights of her time in BrassSoc include marching and UniBrass. When Ella isn’t helping with organising the society you can find her at the sports hub playing water polo.
Alwyn is a third-year Systems Engineering student and now president of the society after previously being treasurer and marketing manager. He has been playing trumpet for 15 years and cornet for 5 in numerous ensembles across the country. Before joining the Brass Society, Alwyn played Solo Cornet for Otterbourne Brass, Trumpet & Euphonium in the Hampshire County Youth Wind Ensemble (HCYWE), and French Horn in various orchestras. His favourite musical moments have been performing in a 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, with the socials, Real Ale Festival, Tri-Uni in Durham, and the latest UniBrass at hosted at Warwick being particular highlights. On top of Main Band, Alwyn is also a member of our auditioned chamber ensemble, Symphonic Brass, where he plays trumpet.
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!
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.