Everything you need to know for this year's contest
UniBrass is back! Returning to the University of Sheffield for a second year, UniBrass 2022 is set to be one of the biggest and best yet – with a record number of bands and students competing, additional outdoor performances, a spectacular gala concert, and a brand-new award. There’s lots going on, so to make sure you get the best out of UniBrass we’ve put together this handy guide below.
Remember, you buy a ticket for the contest and can move freely between both sections throughout the day – when bands aren’t playing, of course! You can also buy a combined ticket for the contest and gala concert, too. See you on Saturday 5 February!
The UniBrass Trophy Contest
Join us in the Octagon Centre for The UniBrass Trophy, adjudicated by Andrea Price and Chris King. There are 10 bands competing in this section, with Manchester starting the day at 10:40 and Salford closing the section at 16:50. The full draw is below and there will be a lunch break between bands 5 and 6.
1. Manchester (10:40)
2. Huddersfield (11:15)
3. Warwick (11:50)
4. Nottingham (12:25)
5. Bristol (13:00)
6. Sheffield (14:30)
7. Birmingham (15:05)
8. Chichester (15:40)
9. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (16:15)
10. Salford (16:50)
The UniBrass Shield Contest
Running simultaneously to the Trophy, the UniBrass Shield Contest will take place in the Drama Studio and is to be adjudicated by Jayne Murrill and Jack Capstaff. 11 bands will compete in this section, which kicks off at 10:15 and see’s the final band take to the stage at 5pm. There will be a lunch break between bands 5 and 6.
1. Lancaster (10:15)
2. Leeds (10:50)
3. Durham (11:25)
4. Cambridge (12:00)
5. Oxford (12:35)
6. Cardiff (14:05)
7. Southampton (14:40)
8. Royal Holloway (15:15)
9. Keele (15:50)
10.York (16:25)
11. King’s College London (17:00)
Timings in both sections are approximate and subject to change, but we’ll do our best!
Free Outdoor Performances
It’s undeniable that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on live music and brass bands, but it also gave us at UniBrass the chance to learn from our outdoor contest in 2021. We discovered that the bands – and you our audience – enjoyed the opportunity to hear our bands perform outside in a relaxed and informal environment. So this year we’re bringing something new to UniBrass: a series of outdoor performances that are free to attend and have no bearing on the prizes.
Why not grab a nice hot drink from Coffee Revolution (it is February after all…) and enjoy the following performances under the concourse outside Sheffield Students’ Union?
1. Manchester (11:05)
2. Leeds (11:15)
3. Huddersfield (11:40)
4. Durham (11:50)
5. Warwick (12:15)
6. Cambridge (12:25)
7. Nottingham (12:50)
8. Oxford (13:00)
9. Bristol (13:25)
10. Cardiff (14:30)
11. Sheffield (14:55)
12. Birmingham (15:30)
13. Royal Holloway (15:40)
14. Chichester (16:05)
15. Keele (16:15)
16. King’s College London (17:25)
Prizes on Offer
Join us back in the Octagon Centre at 17:45 for the results ceremony – the moment every performer will be waiting for, besides the social of course!
Bands in each section will have been judged by two adjudicators on their musicality (for a potential 100 points) and entertainment (for 50 points), all eager to take home some silverware and the coveted UniBrass Shield and Trophy.
As well as podium places we also have prizes for Best March, Best Student Conductor, Best Solo/Feature, Most Entertaining Band, Best Percussion Section, Best Student Composition or Arrangement, and a brand-new award, the ‘Spirit of UniBrass’ prize. This new award will acknowledge a band or individual who has worked hard and demonstrated a significant contribution to the spirit and progression of university brass banding. We hope you’ll join us to congratulate our winners!
Live Stream
This year’s contest is being livestreamed by our friends over at brasspass.tv so if you can’t join us in person, we hope you’ll join us online! You can access the entire competition for just £5, and the stream will be available for 7 days after the contest. So, even if you are with us in Sheffield, you can re-live the magic for a week afterwards!
Gala Concert
This year the UniBrass Gala Concert is back and it features three fantastic artists: the Friary Brass Band, Bone-Afide trombone quartet, and jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins, in one brass spectacular! With a programme sure to delight brass fanatics, jazz lovers, and anyone who loves a good time, we cannot wait to welcome them!
Grab your ticket for the Gala Concert (or a combined contest and concert ticket) and join us in the Octagon Centre at 7.30pm.
The Social
What is UniBrass famous for, besides being the most innovative thing to happen to banding in 100 years? The social, of course! This year, wind down from a fabulous day of contesting with a performance from the outstanding Backstage Brass. Grab a ticket on the door and hit the dance floor, dancing the night away to your favourite tunes.
Please note, you’ll only be able to buy a social ticket with proof of contest or gala concert attendance.
Helpful Info
the Sheffield Students’ Union building is situated just off the A57, on Western Bank (S10 2TG).
There is car parking nearby at Q-Park Durham Road (S10 2JA) and the area is very accessible via bus (120, 51, 52, 52A) and tram (Yellow line - University Tram Stop).
Want to join us? Grab your tickets here: https://www.unibrass.co.uk/audience-information