About the band

Formed in 2001, Ascot Brass aims to present five or six high quality concerts per annum: details of future engagements are on this site. In just the last few years, its music-making has raised more than £20,000 for beneficiaries such as

• Thames Valley Hospice (Paul Bevan Cancer Foundation)
• Maidenhead MENCAP
• DebRA (care of Epidermolysis Bullosa sufferers)
• National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• NSPCC
• The Culham Institute
• The Salvation Army, and
• Local churches' building funds

Ascot Brass is itself a registered charity – committed to the maintenance and promotion of traditional brass banding; to the encouragement and presentation of youthful musical talent; to the development of a network of Friends, through which to promote charity concerts; and, not least, to joy and friendship through music-making.

From the outset, Ascot Brass has shared its events with young musicians, and during the last two years has worked with the Taplow Youth Choir, Berkshire Youth Choir and King Edward School Choir as well as with the choral groups Enigma, Signature and Sounds Familiar, and individual artists including the trumpeter Philip Cobb and singers Shola Hector and Mark Read.

The band rehearses in Maidenhead and is indebted to St Joseph's Church and The Salvation Army for the use of facilities in the town. In earlier years it was based in Ascot and its name reflects its association with the famous Ascot Racecourse, where it has been invited to provide music on premier race days including the week of Royal Ascot.

Windsor Parish Church is home to the band's Christmas charity concert. Another favourite venue is St Luke's Church, Maidenhead.