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Thursday, 2 October, 2025
The Brass Bands England Awards recognise individuals and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the world of brass banding. This year the Awards were presented during a special ceremony today, Saturday 27 September, at this year’s Brass Band Conference, held at the Redhills Durham Miners Hall. Awards were presented, with thanks, by our young trustees Hannah Beech and Reuben Tendler, along with Brass in Concert CEO Nigel Stevens, BBE Chair Mike Kilroy, and sponsoring organisations.
And the winners are:
- (NEW) Rising Star, supported by ABRSM: Alec Banner
- Young Bandsperson: Gregor Spence
- Services to Youth, supported by YAMAHA: Anna Minear
- Brass Band Conductor, supported by BBCA: Katrina Marzella-Wheeler
- Green Hero: Threads in the Ground for “Ancestral Reverb”
- Band Project of the Year: The Brass Brigade
- Outstanding Contribution: The Beere Family and David Bennett
- Lifetime Achievement: Edward Gregson
Photos of each winner receiving their award can be found on our Facebook page, with the exception of Anna Minear who was unable to attend due to band commitments.
Innovation and inspiration
Our COO Sarah Baumann commented: “The Brass Bands England Awards continue to grow with each year, and it’s wonderful to see the passion and enthusiasm the banding community has for both the people and projects that make it so special.”
New for this year was the Rising Star Award, which was created following feedback from the Young Bandsperson category. The latter became for those aged 18-25, whilst the new Rising Star recognises those inspirational banders under 18.
BBE’s commitment to continuing to celebrate achievements with banding was also on full display. On this, Sarah added: “We’re always looking for ways to ensure those working in every aspect of banding are recognised. This year, taking on feedback from last year’s ceremony, we were pleased to shine a spotlight on all those shortlisted with both a dedicated presentation and certificates.”
Brass in Concert stalwarts
Long time bastions of the Brass in Concert Championships, The Beere Family and David Bennett were jointly presented the Outstanding Contribution Award. On their achievement, Brass in Concert CEO Nigel Stevens said:
“It was an honour to present this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award to both The Beere Family and David Bennett. They should be immensely proud that they have carried the torch that Paul’s father, Cyril Beere, lit with Peter Hartley way back in 1977. Paul and David have jointly managed and led Brass in Concert with an open mind to change, allowing it to evolve and move with the times and have always put both the stars of the show [the band] and the audiences right at the centre of their thinking and action.”
Edward Gregson receives special recognition
On Edward Gregon’s Lifetime Achievement Award, BBE Chair Mike Kilroy commented: “Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Edward Gregson was such a privilege for me. Edward is a man whose career has been as varied as it has been distinguished, one of the most celebrated British composers of his generation. His music had a huge influence on me in my early playing days in Championship bands, exciting, invigorating, challenging, yet musically fulfilling. The sense of achievement following a well delivered performance of Edwards music is so tangible and deeply satisfying.”