Welcome to the University of Warwick Brass Society!

The University of Warwick Brass Society, or BrassSoc for short, is a fun, friendly and lively group to get involved with. The society welcomes all brass players, percussionists and even those who have never picked up a brass instrument before! Our award winning ensembles (which include a brass band, a symphonic brass ensemble and a beginners brass group) welcome all standards of musicians, and (apart from symphonic brass) are all non-auditioned. With over 50 members, we provide opportunities for all brass players to rehearse, perform and socialise regularly.

Main Band

Main Band is a full sized brass band, and the society’s largest ensemble. The band is unauditioned, and open to anybody from the university and local area. Main Band is professionally conducted by the one and only Tom Stoneman, which leads to a very high standard of music.

The brass band rehearses from 5:00-7:30 every Wednesday in the Ensemble room and anyone is welcome to come down and join us. The band also participates in a range of concerts and contests throughout the year. Highlights of the year include our trip to the Whit Friday Marches in Saddleworth, participation in the Wychavon Festival of Brass (which we won in 2024!), a joint concert with the brass bands from Leeds and Durham, as well as UniBrass (the amazing inter-university brass band entertainment contest). Previously this contest has been held in Warwick but we're looking forward to competing in Cardiff next year. 

Symphonic Brass

Symphonic Brass is our small, student-led ensemble which rehearses every Friday from 17:00 till 19:30. We rehearse and perform a wide variety of repertoire, from classical pieces to film music and jazz: our most recent concert featured a suite from the Broadway musical Chicago, John Williams’ Raiders March, and October by Eric Whitacre. We’re an auditioned ensemble (auditions typically take place at the beginning of each year), with a suggested minimum standard of Grade 6.

Beginners and Intermediates Brass

If you've never played a brass instrument but would like to be involved then Beginners Brass might be for you. Beginners Brass provides an opportunity for anyone to learn a brass instrument. We provide all the instruments and music needed and you'll be able to recieve basic tuition, offered by some of our more experienced members, for free! What is more, many of the students who attend Beginners Band from the Autumn term often progress quickly enough to become fully-fledged members of the main brass band by the summer term.

If you are returning to brass having taken a break, and are looking to get back into it before progressing to main band, or have progressed from beginners, Intermediates Brass is for you! We continue to provide tuition and ensemble work as in Beginners and get you prepared for joining our main band.

Socials and Events

The society has a very active social life and organises regular mini-tours, curry nights, socials (including our famous Pudding Social!) as well as a trip to the pub with a side of karaoke after every rehearsal! The society also offers annual tours abroad. Previously we have been to Munich, Strasbourg, Vienna, Barcelona and most recently Budapest.

More from BrassSoc...

To find out more information about our society, visit our website:
www.brasssoc.com

Do follow us on Instagram!
@brasssoc

And remember to like our Facebook page!
www.facebook.com/brasssoc