BBCA awarded Charity Status
The Brass Band Conductors’ Association (BBCA) is proud to announce that it has officially become a registered charity, a major milestone that strengthens the organisation’s ability to support, develop and champion brass band conducting across the UK and beyond.
Becoming a charity marks an important step forward for the BBCA. The new status provides a robust governance framework and opens up new opportunities to access funding, develop resources, and deliver more support for conductors at all stages of their musical journey. Since its relaunch in 2018, the BBCA has gone from strength to strength, hosting high-quality workshops, masterclasses and competitions, creating opportunities for learning, and building a thriving community of conductors committed to musical excellence. The organisation’s charitable status now lays the foundation for further growth and long-term sustainability.
Chair of Trustees James Holt said, “Achieving charity registration shows how far the BBCA has come in building a professional and forward looking organisation. It will help us strengthen our support for conductors, provide more training and development opportunities, and promote best practice across the brass band world.”
Conductors of all levels, from beginners through to experienced professionals are encouraged to join the Association and become part of this growing network. Membership can be arranged easily online, and those who do will also receive free individual membership of Brass Bands England as part of their benefits.
The BBCA has also recently welcomed a trio of new faces to its Executive Committee: two new Area Reps, Brett Baker and Harry Weir who are now representing the BBCA in Wales and West of England respectively and John Davis as BBCA Secretary.
Brett Baker is viewed internationally as a leading brass performer, conductor and educator. In 2025, Brett was appointed to the principal trombone seat of Cory Band. Prior to that, he completed 24 years as principal trombone for Black Dyke Band and in that time guest conducted bands such as Leyland, Grimethorpe Colliery and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. He has been Musical Director of Bands such as Northop Silver, Thoresby Colliery as well as Longridge Band and currently is the MD of Lydbrook Band in Gloucestershire.
Harry Weir is a composer and conductor, based in his native Cornwall. He learnt to play with Porthleven Town Band, before moving to London to study composition and conducting. Upon completion of his studies he returned to Cornwall and was soon invited to take up the post of Musical Director with Pendennis Brass.
Chair James Holt commented that “I am delighted to see our already strong Executive Committee further strengthened. Both Brett and Harry bring fresh ideas to enhance the BBCA’s offering and are already making great progress in promoting all things BBCA”.
At the AGM in July John Davis took over the reigns as BBCA Secretary. John has spent 35 years successfully conducting many bands throughout the country. In 1990 John accepted the position of MD with The Riddings Band, and he remained with them for 15 years, guiding them into the Championship section after 10 years. He joined Dronfield Band in January 2009, and made an immediate impact, taking them to the National finals, the first time in the band’s history, where they finished in 2nd place. The band were also promoted from the 4th to the second section in 4 years under John’s guidance.
James Holt, BBCA Chair added that “I would like to sincerely thank outgoing Secretary Rosie Banham for her outstanding work in recent years. Rosie has been an organisational powerhouse, keeping the BBCA running smoothly, and I’m pleased she will continue to contribute in a new role on the Executive. John has hit the ground running and is building on the excellent foundation Rosie established. I warmly welcome all new Executive members and wish them every success in their roles.”
