The Wind Band Association (WBA) is an energetic organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for adult amateur and professional wind band players of all standards, to make music with other like-minded musicians from across the UK.  

The WBA annual festival, this year being held near Bradford, brings together around 80 musicians from across the United Kingdom.

But we have a challenge! ??

We don’t get enough applicants that play trumpet, trombone or percussion to make our bands work the way we’d like so we are offering five free student places. ? 

The 2026 festival takes place at The Mercure Hotel, Bradford between the evening of 16th October and lunchtime of 18th October.The five fully funded places are available to two trumpet players, two trombonists and one percussionist. 

This offer includes all meals and accommodation on the condition that the recipient engages with the full rehearsal programme. Applicants must be 18+ (at the date of the festival). Grade 8 standard, in Sixth Form or higher education and competent sight readers. 

Applications should be submitted by email to our Musical Director: Andrew Mackereth md@windbandassociation.co.ukmd@windbandassociation.co.uk. A message of endorsement from your teacher or college tutor is required with your application.