The New Zealand Brass Band Championships is one of the world’s oldest music competitions.
The first contest was held in the Christchurch Drill Hall on the 17th of April 1880 with an audience of 2500 people. Six bands competed, and the audience chose the winner – the Invercargill Garrison Band, under the command of Captain W.E. Heywood.
These days the national contest is held annually in July over five days and includes Junior and Open solo and Ensemble competitions, a Sacred Item/Hymn, Test selection and Own Choice selection for bands in each grade (A, B, C, D, and Youth), plus a Street March. The contest sometimes concludes with a gala concert or workshops.
Contest Results
Thank you to our sponsors and funders of the 2023 National Contest
2024 National Championships
10 to 13 July
Pacific Festival of Brass at the Due Drop Centre, Manukau City, Auckland
Contact Contest Administrator bbanzeo@gmail.com or contest committee chair Owen Melhuish owen@mortgagesupply.co.nz or 021 281 0405
Tuesday 12 March: Test music announced and contest entry forms available.
Saturday 11 May 2024: Contest entries close.
2025 2 to 5 July Festival of Brass at the Christchurch Town Hall complex. Contact Contest Administrator bbanzeo@gmail.com or contest committee chair Graham Hickman festivalofbrassnz@gmail.com
2026
Applications are called for from organisations wishing to host the 2026 National Championships in the lower half of the North Island. Please contact the Contest Administrator at the BBANZ Office to discuss your application and request an application form. Applications close on Thursday, 31 August 2023 and will be voted on at the AGM in November.
