Welcome

Welcome to the website of Rushden Town Band.

Midlands Area Brass Band Championship 2026

First Section winners!

Rushden Town Band took first place in the Midland Area Regional Brass Band Championships 2026 at Bedworth on Saturday 7th March. As I am sure you can see, the band was incredibly pleased with the result and are so proud at bringing the trophy back to Rushden. Our solo cornet player – Matt Freestone – also won best instrumentalist of the section (that’s what’s hiding in the box!). The band now goes on to the National Finals in September at York Barbican.

What a Saturday! We are delighted to announce that the band came third in the ODBBA Winter contest. In addition, our Solo Horn player, Kate won the Best Horn player of the day and our Flugal horn player won Best Instrumentalist of the day. This follows a great deal of hard work from the band and its conductor, Adele. On to the Areas on Saturday 7th March.

What’s the band up to? The next concert for the band is in the West of the County at Charwelton Church near Daventry at 19.30. This is a lovely event in an idyllic spot and with lots of varied music promises to be an evening not to be missed. Please come along and support the band.

It is with great sadness that we learnt that Ed Neuhauser, who played Bb bass for us on many occasion including our recent tour to Germany, passed away on Christmas Eve surrounded by his family. Ed had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023 and with treatment appeared to have gone away. Sadly, In October this year, it was discovered the cancer had returned. Our prayers and thoughts go to his wife Cathryn and his two children, James and Beth. May he RIP.

Well, that’s our Christmas playing completed! The band played at 11 different Christmas events starting on 28th November at Whittlebury Park and finishing in Higham Christmas Market on 20 December. Every audience has been amazing so thank you for supporting us – without you, it would not be the same. There’s only one thing left to say: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17uX5jDSqh/

Every year, the Remembrance Day Parade at Rushden seems to get bigger and better and this year was no exception. What a very moving service. Over 52 wreaths laid this year. We will remember them.

GOING FORWARD: Like everything, banding is getting more and more expensive. Only this week, there has been a band in the news who has called it a day as they are no longer able to cover their costs. Bands exist on a non-profit base, but the costs are getting higher and higher. Ensuring that a band has a regularly updated repertoire costs – one piece of music costs anywhere between £50 to £110. Rehearsal venues, ensuring there are enough uniforms and stands, repairing band instruments and insuring them all costs money which is, as I am sure you are aware, is going up and up. If you or you know of any local companies who would like to sponsor the band, please ask them to get in touch with us. Thank you.

We are a First Section brass band based in Rushden, Northamptonshire.

Musical Director: Adele Hudson

President:  Alan Nichols

Chairman: Ian Bates