NZ Brass Band Championships Live Free 2026 - Wellington New Zealand
Wed, Apr 8, 2026 - Sun, Apr 12, 2026
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NZ Brass Band Championships Live Free 2026 - Wellington New Zealand. 2026 New Zealand Brass Band Championships will be held in Wellington from Wednesday, 8 April to Saturday, 11 April 2026. This event marks a significant milestone, featuring 40 competing bands—the largest number since.
We’re absolutely buzzing with excitement for the upcoming NZ Brass Band Championships, taking place in Wellington from April 8–11.
Event highlights
Free masterclass with Jorgen Van Rijen
8 April 2026Tawhiri Warehouse
Principal trombonist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Invitational Slow Melody Competition
8 April 2026Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre
Free event
Solo and Chamber Events
8 – 9 April 2026Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre
Free event
Champion of Champions
9 April 2026Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre
Free event
Band Events
10 – 11 April 2026The Opera House and Michael Fowler Centre
Free event
Gala concert featuring the National Band of New Zealand
12 April 2026The Opera House
Open Slow Melody. Congratulations Kevin Hickman!
2026 New Zealand Brass Band Championships
Huge news: the 2026 contest will have the largest number of bands competing since 1981, with 40 bands signing up.
A Grade - 7
B Grade - 10
C Grade - 10
D Grade - 8
Youth Grade - 5
NZ Brass Band Championships 2026 - Wellington
The National Brass Band of New Zealand is set to light up Wellington Opera House this April with a world-class Gala Concert you won’t want to miss.
Following the National Contest, the National Band's performance features phenomenal guest artists: Harmen Vanhoorne, Celine Wu, Helen and Glyn Williams, alongside the band’s principal trombone, Aishah Leitner.
The programme includes brass band classics including Paganini Variations, The Kingdom Triumphant, and more outstanding works.
Join us at 2pm on Sunday, April 12 at the Wellington Opera House for an afternoon of music-making at a the highest level.