This year is the Association’s 90^th Anniversary year but unfortunately plans to mark this milestone has been interrupted by the effects of the pandemic. The Gala concert to be given by the world’s number one ranked brass band Cory Band scheduled for Sunday 16^th May has been postponed to Sunday 29^th August at St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich with a start time of 3.00pm (Covid-19 restrictions permitting). Ticket details will be published in due course.

The Entertainments Contest planned for Sunday 16^th May as part of the Association’s 90^th Anniversary has been postponed to Sunday 5^th September (Covid-19 restrictions permitting). Further details will be available at a later date.

Due to the ongoing situation regarding the Coronavirus the 2020 Solo & Quartet contest and the evening concert by the Leyland Band due to take place on Sunday 31st May, have been cancelled. Reimbursements for tickets purchased for the Leyland concert will be sent out in the next few days.

On Sunday 31st May 2020 the Association is holding its Annual Solo and Quartet contest at Blackfriars' Hall, Norwich.

There will be junior and senior slow melodies, air varies and quartets.

Contact: Christine Wade 01449 672600, 07934169721 or email administration@eabba.org.uk for further information. The closing date for entries is 31st March 2020.

On Sunday 2^nd June 2019 the 2018 National Champions, the Foden’s Band, made a return visit to St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich to perform the East Anglian Brass Band Association’s 81^st Annual Gala Concert.

The Association launched its ‘Brass For Youth Project 2019’ to give young people who are learning to play a brass instrument the opportunity to be able to listen to a live performance by one of the world’s best brass bands. With support from the Norwich Freemen’s Charity and the Geoffrey Whatling Charity together with donations in memory of Dianne Hastings the Association was able to offer free tickets to young brass musicians in Norfolk and Suffolk. Young brass people from approximately twenty schools, bands and music centres attended the concert. For many this was the first time they had attended such a concert and what a fantastic concert it was.

It is with much sadness that the East Anglian Brass Band Association reports the passing of Dianne Hastings on Thursday 8^th November. At her time of death Dianne was Life Vice–President of the East Anglian Brass Band Association. Dianne had been Secretary of the Association for over 42 years until her retirement in 2015 following a stroke. Dianne and her late husband Brian worked tirelessly for brass bands and their members in East Anglia. In recognition of their work in 2002 Dianne and Brian were honoured to be invited to the Royal Garden Party at Sandringham as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Results from contest held on Sunday 13th May at Blackfriar's Hall, Norwich

On Sunday 7^th May 2017 England’s number 1 brass band, the Brighouse & Rastrick Band, made a welcome return visit to St Andrew’s Hall at Norwich to perform the East Anglian Brass Band Association’s 79^th Annual Gala Concert. This concert was performed in memory of Donald Palmer, a long standing Trustee of the Association who had given over 40 years service.

Just over one year ago the Association’s Secretary Dianne Hastings suffered a severe stroke. Recognising Dianne’s commitment and dedication, at their latest meeting the Executive Committee appointed Dianne Life Vice President of the Association and will be making a presentation and playing carols to her at her nursing home on Saturday 10^th December.

If you would like to play email the Association Chairman on administration@eabba.org.uk.

Yesterday on the 4 August we said our final goodbyes to Donald Palmer.

Here are the results of the solo and quartet concert held on Sunday 8 May 16.

The Association would like to congratulate the Cawston Band (Second Section) and Castleton Brass (Fourth Section) for winning their respective sections at the London & Southern Regional Contest of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain held at Stevenage on the 19th and 20th March. Both bands have received an invitation to compete in the National Finals at Cheltenham in September.