NABBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering excellence in British-style brass band performance — through the annual NABBA Championships, regional festivals and contests, and a community of 140 member and competing bands.
Kansas City, Missouri —
The US Masters Brass Band Championships returned to Staley High School this weekend, hosted with efficiency and warm hospitality by the Fountain City Brass Band. Six ensembles made the journey to Kansas City for a day of spirited competition, new repertoire, and a reaffirmation of the growing depth of American brass banding.
Dallas Brass Band Claims Division 1 Title
Dallas Brass Band produced a well-structured and confident performance that earned them first place in Division 1, supported by their percussion team’s win in the Outstanding Percussion category. Their musical consistency across the day ultimately secured the top spot.
Division 1 Results
Dallas Brass Band
Frontier Brass Band
Iowa Brass
Frontier Brass Band Impresses Across the Awards Table
In addition to securing second place, Frontier Brass Band made one of the strongest impressions of the weekend, collecting a notable slate of individual honors and the Most Entertaining Band award. Frontier took home:
Most Entertaining Band
Outstanding Soloist (Trombone)
Outstanding Soprano
Outstanding Cornet
Outstanding Trombone
Their program blended character, color, and technical assurance — traits that clearly resonated with both judges and audiences.
Iowa Brass and Tulsa Shine in Section Awards
Iowa Brass, finishing third in Division 1, earned three key accolades:
Outstanding Flugelhorn
Outstanding Baritone
Outstanding Euphonium
Meanwhile, Tulsa Brass Band, competing in Division 2, won Outstanding Bass Section, highlighting the ensemble’s strong foundation and cohesive sound.
Division 2 Results
Fountain City United
Free State Brass Band
Tulsa Brass Band
Competing on home ground, Fountain City United delivered a poised, well-balanced performance to claim top honors in Division 2, ahead of determined challenges from Free State Brass Band and Tulsa Brass Band.
Grant Jameson’s Friska Inferno Awarded Outstanding New Work
A standout feature of the weekend was the recognition of Grant Jameson’s arrangement of Friska Inferno as Outstanding New Work. Electrifying, virtuosic, and full of rhythmic drive, the piece captured the audience’s attention and provided one of the day’s most memorable musical highlights.
A Weekend of Connection and Craft
As always, the US Masters showcased more than competition — it reaffirmed the camaraderie, creativity, and shared enthusiasm that define the American brass band movement. With strong participation and rising standards across both divisions, the event continues to grow as a centerpiece of the national banding calendar.
The next US Masters will take place November 15th, 2026.
Silver Anniversary Season
Houston Brass Band PRESS RELEASE
The Houston Brass Band (HBB) has been a vital part of the cultural landscape in Houston for 25 years. Last year alone the Houston Brass Band reached an estimated 6,025 members of the Houston community. This year will be celebrated as the Silver Anniversary Season through special performances and events. Among highlights of the events planned for this season is an October performance in Round Top, Texas featuring Schilke Music performing artist Morris Northcutt. HBB will perform a joint concert in November with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra. This event will include a world premiere of “Crossings,” a new work celebrating the bicentennial of Norwegian immigration to America. The piece by Rodney Newton was originally commissioned by Russell Gray in 2005 and titled, “Longships.” Learning of the special occasion of our 2025 celebration, Rodney revised and retitled the piece. The band will also perform in March, in Dallas, as a part of Texas Brass Fest. There is a 25
th Anniversary Concert in April at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Houston. HBB has commissioned a new march for the occasion from composer Dr. William Brusick. The winner of the 2024 student solo competition will also be featured.
HBB’s mission is to inspire and engage a diverse Houston audience with the unique British brass band sound. Throughout its history HBB has also supported the education of young musicians by collaborating with school music programs. HBB has engaged internationally acclaimed musicians and shared their talents with the community through performances, side by side concerts, and clinics in schools. The HBB has also awarded scholarships to student musicians through the annual solo competition for the past 10 years.
HBB has performed at venues and events such as POST Houston 4th of July Celebrations, Houston Public Library Family Winter Festivals, Houston Make Music Day, Houston City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic, Houston, Public Radio broadcast, Houston Turkish Festival, British Consulate of Houston events, Grand Opening of Houston’s James Driver All-Inclusive Park, British American Foundation of Texas Gala, Saint Arnold’s Brewery, No Label Brewery, and numerous churches. In 2021, the band placed 3rd in the First Section of the international Whit Friday competition, HBB has been featured on Houston Public Radio Encore Houston in July of 2022. The band was also featured in a Scottish radio broadcast, “Sounds of Brass,” in 2024. The band has performed at the Texas Band Masters Association Conference in San Antonio, TX. A photo journal of activities of the band over the past 3 seasons is available at our website: www. houstonbrassband.org under the blog menu.
HBB was awarded a grant this year from the Cullen Foundation in order to expand our outreach through performances and educational activities in the Houston area. The Mary Louise Dobson Foundation also recently awarded HBB funds to support the instrumental music programs at Wharton Senior High and Wharton Junior High schools. HBB members will provide master classes at these rural, Title 1 campuses this school year. For the past 2 years The Houston Arts Alliance has provided grant support for HBB to present free concerts in downtown Houston at the Public Library Family Winter Festival.
Click here to visit the Houston Brass Band Website
Click here to go to the Houston Brass Band YouTube Channel
Click here to view the Crossings Celebration Concert
2025 NABBC: A Resounding Success
Triumph in Fort Wayne: NABBA Championships 2025 Celebrate Excellence in Brass
The 2025 North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championships in Fort Wayne delivered a weekend of powerful performances, friendly rivalry, and unforgettable musical moments. As one of the premier events for brass bands in North America, this year’s championships drew a record number of ensembles and showcased the extraordinary depth of talent that continues to rise across the continent.
Championship Section: An Elite Display
At the top level of competition, the Championship Section was fierce, polished, and filled with musical fire. The Fountain City Brass Band once again proved its dominance, taking 1st place with a commanding score of 96.967, demonstrating breathtaking precision and artistry. Five Lakes Silver Band followed with a strong 2nd place (93.983), while Dallas Brass Band—in only their third appearance in Championship Section at NABBA—claimed an impressive 3rd place with 93.833, with a performance that was both technically sound and emotionally resonant.
The remainder of the top-tier field was stacked with top-notch performances from ensembles like James Madison University Brass Band (4th, 93.233), Atlantic Brass Band (5th, 92.433), and San Francisco Brass Band (6th, 89.233), among others, proving that the Championship Section remains a thrilling battleground for the best of the best.
Tied at the Top in 1st Section
In a rare and exciting twist, the 1st Section ended in a tie for 1st place between Dublin Silver Band and Oakland University Brass Band, both scoring 92.283. Dublin edged ahead by virtue of a higher score on the set test piece. San Antonio Brass Band earned a strong 3rd place (91.817), rounding out a highly competitive section that included standout performances from Colorado Brass, Brass Band of Northern Virginia, and more.
Rising Stars in 2nd and 3rd Sections
The 2nd Section saw Massanutten Brass Band take top honors with 91.950, closely followed by St. Louis Brass Band (90.717) and Central Ohio Brass Band (90.133). The variety and commitment on display in this section highlighted the strength of developing bands and their contributions to the larger brass band ecosystem.
In the 3rd Section, Cherry Blossom Brass Band rose to the top with 85.700, edging out youth-focused ensembles like the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy and Motor City Academy Brass Band, both of which showcased the promise of the next generation.
Youth Division: A Bright Future
The Youth divisions were a celebration of energy, learning, and future excellence. Youth Brass Academy topped the Youth Open Section with an impressive 94.000, while Watson Brass Band led the Youth Championship Section (91.567) and Triangle Youth Brass Band triumphed in the Youth 1st Section (89.233). It’s clear that the future of brass banding is in good hands.
A Resounding Celebration
From the riveting contest performances to the reunions, workshops, and vendor showcases, the NABBA Championships in Fort Wayne were a true celebration of brass band culture. It wasn’t just about scores—it was about the joy of making music together, the friendships formed across state and national borders, and the shared commitment to the genre’s continued growth in North America.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on an unforgettable weekend, the momentum from Fort Wayne continues to build. Congratulations to all the bands—especially our top performers—and a heartfelt thank you to the organizers, volunteers, adjudicators, and audience members who made it all possible. Here’s to even greater things next year when we return to Fort Wayne!
Click here for the scores from NABBC 2025
Click here to re-watch NABBC Performances
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