You can become a member of BBE either as an organisation or as an individual
Friday, 12 December, 2025
The panel of adjudicators for the 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain (Youth Champs), which will take place on Saturday 28 March 2026 at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, has been announced!
Youth Champs continues to grow as a flagship event for young brass musicians, celebrating excellence, inclusivity and development across multiple Sections.
Youth Champs 2026 adjudicators
Besson Prodige Showcase Section (non-competitive)
Participants in this section will receive constructive, developmental feedback from Anna Wilby and Christopher Bond.
Anna Wilby is an experienced performer, arranger and conductor, and a former BBC Young Musician percussion semi-finalist. She has performed with leading bands including Black Dyke, Grimethorpe and Hammonds, and brings over two decades of experience in music education. She is currently Head of an independent school in York.
Christopher Bond is a composer, conductor and educator, whose works have been performed as set test pieces across the UK and internationally. He has worked closely with Cory Band as Composer in Residence and with GUS Band as Musical Director, and has been commissioned by many of the UK’s leading bands, with broadcasts on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4 and Classic FM.
Performance Section
Bands in the Performance Section will be assessed by Daniel Ashley Brooks and Stephanie Kennedy, who will provide written and verbal feedback alongside competitive results.
Daniel Ashley Brooks is the current Musical Director of Leyland Band and a former Principal Trombone with leading championship bands. He has extensive experience across performance, conducting and youth music development, and is Academy Leader at Red Admiral Music Academy, where he is actively involved in grassroots projects and events that support and strengthen the brass band community.
Stephanie Kennedy is a distinguished soloist, conductor and educator, and a multiple prize-winning flugelhorn player. She won Brass in Concert 2025 with the cooperation band, also receiving the Best Flugel Prize. Musical Director of Campbeltown Brass, she led the band to the 2022 National Championship title and also currently directs the cooperation band Youth Band. She performs widely and teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Department, bringing strong experience in both professional performance and youth band development.
Challenge Section
The newly introduced Challenge Section will be adjudicated by Lauren Chinn and Ailsa Russell, providing competitive feedback and rankings for developing bands.
Lauren Chinn is the flugelhorn soloist with Flowers Band and a former member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, where she now mentors emerging brass musicians. Alongside her performing career, she works as a brass teacher and is passionate about creative, inclusive music-making and youth development.
Ailsa Russell is an experienced educator and youth music specialist, with a strong background in supporting developing ensembles and nurturing young musical talent. She was the Solo Horn player of Cory Band for 16 years, and won multiple competitions with them including the Europeans, British Open and the Nationals.
YAMAHA Championship Section
The Championship Section, representing the highest level of youth brass band performance, will also be adjudicated by Anna Wilby and Christopher Bond, whose combined experience spans elite-level performance, education, conducting and composition.
Inspiring the next generation
Jess Wilson, our Events Manager, commented: “We are delighted to welcome such an accomplished and inspiring panel of adjudicators for the 2026 Youth Champs. Their collective experience across performance, education, conducting and composition will ensure that every band receives high-quality, supportive feedback, helping to inspire and develop the next generation of brass band musicians.”
Band entry to Youth Champs 2026 is now closed. The schedule of participating bands will be released in early 2026 and audience tickets will be on sale from Monday 23 February via the Brass Bands England website.
The 2026 Youth Champs will take place on Saturday 28 March 2026 at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. Brass band enthusiasts from the Midlands and beyond are encouraged to save the date and come celebrate the next generation of brass playing talent.