Brass & Wind
Brass Bands, Wind Bands & Training Groups
Brass and wind bands are a great way to make music with other people, whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or are an experienced player looking for a new group. Brass bands are made up mainly of brass instruments such as cornets, trumpets, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums and trombones, together with larger bass instruments such as tubas and a percussion section. Town bands and silver bands are usually community brass bands – the names reflect the traditions and history of the individual band rather than a particular playing level.
Concert bands and wind bands bring brass instruments together with woodwind such as flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons and saxophones, usually alongside percussion. They perform a huge range of music, from film and show music to classical, pop and music written especially for wind band. You’ll also find street, carnival and marching bands, which combine wind, brass and percussion with music designed to move, perform and make an impact outdoors.
New to playing?
Don’t be put off by the word band! Many of the groups listed here have beginner, learner, academy, training or junior bands specifically designed to help people get started. Some provide a pathway from your very first notes into an intermediate or senior band, so you don’t necessarily need to already be able to play. Look at the age and playing level on each listing to find a group that’s right for you.
To help you find opportunities near you, Somerset groups are shown in green and Dorset groups in blue.
Blandford Stour Valley Band – youth section
Brass band, informal youth section meeting in Blandford Forum.
Burnham and Highbridge Band
Must read music. Brass band (community, non-contesting).
Burtle Silver Band
Brass band (village band).
Any age/background/ability.
Carnival Band Project (The Sound of the Streets)
Community wind/brass/percussion ensemble.
Chard Concert Brass
A learners band for anyone of any age wanting to learn to play a brass instrument meets on a Monday night.
Cheddar Valley Music Club – Training Band
Brass band training band from beginner to grade 3.
Durnovaria Silver, Training & Youth Band
A vibrant and progressive brass band meeting in Dorchester.
Ferndown Concert Brass Band
Brass (concert) band All standards Ferndown
Frome Town Band – Beginners Band
All ages, no prior knowledge needed. Meets Wednesdays at Frome College.
Gillingham Imperial Silver, Training & Junior Bands
Brass band training/junior bands.
Glastonbury Brass Band
Brass band (community, contesting) All standards welcome. Meets on at the football club.
Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band – Brass Academy
Beginners welcome – ages 6 – 60.
Purbeck Youth Music – beginner wind/brass
Charity beginner tuition + ensembles available.
Shaftesbury Town Silver Band
Brass/silver band All standards. Meets Thursdays 7:30–9:30pm.
Sherborne Town Bands
Sherborne Town Band – Starter Brass Class → Youth Band → Youth Ensemble. Beginner→Grade 2+
Sound Invaders (The Sound of the Streets)
Youth street/wind-brass-percussion band Intermediate+ Taunton (Castle School) Grade 3+ standard.
Swanage Town Band
Brass/silver town band. All standards Swanage. Must read music; encourages young players. Meets Wednesdays. Reduced/free for full-time students
Taunton Concert Band – Training Band
Wind/concert training band. No age limit, Grade 5 and below.
Verwood Concert Brass, Acorns & Community Band
Brass band, beginner + stepping-stone tiers Beginner→Intermediate
Wareham Town Band
Brass and woodwind town band All standards, beginners welcome. Every standard incl. absolute beginners. Instrument loan/free tuition.
Wells City Brass Academy
Welcome players from 8 – 100 at all different playing levels – from beginners to under Grade 4. .
West Somerset Brass Training Band
For children and adults alike who are interested in learning a brass instrument.
Wellington Training & Silver Band
Two bands – training band for complete beginners and Silver band for returning players.
Youth Music Wessex – Youth Wind Band
Wind/concert band, advanced tier Intermediate→Advanced (Grades 5–7+)
Weymouth Concert Brass
Brass (concert) band. All standards welcome.
Wiveliscombe Town Band
Training band suitable for all ages from 1 – 100. Free instruments and tuition.
Youth Music Wessex – Junior Wind Band
Wind/concert band, junior tier Beginner