A Record-Breaking Year Ahead for IBBSS 2026
The International Brass Band Summer School (IBBSS) is set for its most exciting year yet, with record numbers of delegates expected to attend in 2026. Following a hugely successful ongoing early-bird registration campaign, IBBSS today announced a new venue, improved catering, and expanded accommodation choices, offering musicians greater flexibility, comfort, and value than ever before.
Professor Nick Childs – Rehearsing for the Gala Concert 2025
A New Home at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
The 2026 Summer School will be hosted at the prestigious Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, one of Wales’s most celebrated concert venues, renowned for its magnificent architecture and superb acoustics.
The move to Brangwyn Hall reflects the continued growth of the Summer School and will allow for:
– Up to three full bands rehearsing simultaneously
– Dedicated rehearsal and tuition rooms for one-to-one and small-group coaching
– All musical activities, dining, and evening entertainment hosted on one site
“Brangwyn Hall offers the facilities, space, and atmosphere to take IBBSS to the next level,”
said Colonel David Barringer MVO MBE course director. “It’s the perfect setting for what will be our most ambitious and inspiring Summer School yet.”
World-Class Tutors and Conductors
Delegates will once again learn from a distinguished longstanding and some new faces of international tutors and conductors, offering expert guidance across all brass and percussion disciplines.
The 2026 programme includes:
– Daily full-band rehearsals and sectional coaching
– Specialist workshops and masterclasses
– Solo and ensemble performance opportunities
– Guest performances and evening concerts at Brangwyn Hall
Improved Dining Experience
Responding to delegate feedback, IBBSS 2026 will feature an enhanced catering service. Evening dinners will now be hosted in the Guildhall, delivered by the award-winning “Best Event Management and Catering Company 2025 – Wales.”
Delegates can look forward to freshly prepared meals served in elegant surroundings, followed by social time at the Brangwyn Hall licensed bar, open every evening.
Flexible Accommodation Packages
For 2026, IBBSS introduces two new delegate accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences:
Standard Delegate £799:
– Course, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast in a single en-suite university room within walking distance and shuttle bus
– Ideal for those who prefer an all-in-one no frills accommodation, fully managed experience
Flexi Delegate £499:
– Course and Dinner only, with the freedom to book your own accommodation
– Perfect for those wishing to share, group up, or upgrade their stay
– A curated list of recommended hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnbs will be provided with shuttle bus and many in walking distance
– Includes free daily shuttle service to and from Brangwyn Hall
“This new flexibility is a direct response to delegate feedback,” said Neil Hodgson Course Adninistrator. “It means you can save money by sharing, or treat yourself to an upgrade — the choice is yours.”
Registration and Further Details
For Early Bird Registration (Deposit £30) go to www.ibbss.com or contact registration@ibbss.com where delegates can manage their accommodation choice and opportunities to access exciting extras, including:
– Private lessons with IBBSS tutors
– Specialist sessions such as the Jazz Improvisation Masterclass
– Discounts for referring friends to the 2026 course
Tutor’s solo masterclass 2025
Key Dates
IBBSS 2026: 26 July – 1 August 2026
Venue: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Gala Concert: 31 July 2026
About the International Brass Band Summer School
Now established as one of the premier events in the international brass calendar, the International Brass Band Summer School attracts players from around the world to experience a week of intensive learning, performance, and friendship. The programme combines expert tuition with a warm and welcoming community atmosphere, offering delegates a truly world-class brass band experience.
For Media Enquiries
Contact: info@ibbss.org
Website: www.ibbss.com
Contact to arrange Interviews: neil@ibbss.com