Our Mission

The Princeton Brass Band is devoted to advancing the British-style brass band tradition in our corner of the world through performance and educational outreach. PBB is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations help PBB uphold its mission by funding collaborations with guest artists and clinicians, venues, instruments, sheet music, recording projects, and music education through the Princeton Youth Brass Band.

About the band

The Princeton Brass Band was founded in May 2004. It is what is commonly referred to as a 'British-Style' brass band (cornets, flugelhorn, alto/tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, tenor and bass trombones, Eb and Bb tuba, and percussion), to distinguish it from the 'American-Style' jazz brass band.

Since its founding, the Princeton Brass Band has become established as a cultural presence in New Jersey, attracting top players from throughout the region. The band has worked with numerous world-renowned guest artists, including Tom Hutchinson, David Krauss, Ailsa Russell, and Aaron VanderWeele, hosted joint performances with Eastern Wind Symphony, Imperial Brass, and the New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army, and performed as guest artists at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Kentucky.

Princeton Brass Band is a proud member of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) and competes annually at the North American Brass Band Championships. In 2013 the band won first place in the Championship Section, becoming National Champions of North America (NABBA). In 2023, PBB returned to NABBA after a six year hiatus and claimed 1st place in the First section of the competition. The band subsequently moved back into the Championship section, where it currently competes.

In addition to their regular concert season and performances at the NABBA championships, the band also performs annually at regional festivals, including the Mid-Atlantic Brass Band Festival and the Gettysburg Brass Band Festival.

The band motto ‘Resurgam’ means ‘I Shall Rise Again’.

About our Music Director

Todd Nichols’ credits include work as a music educator, conductor, and performer throughout the United States. Dr. Nichols currently serves as Director of University Bands at Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey. His duties include oversight and administration of the university band program, directing the Marching Scarlet Knights and Symphonic Winds, and teaching graduate conducting. As Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Dr. Nichols led highly acclaimed performances in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2021 Music for All Grand Nationals finals performance, 2018 NFL Monday Night Football, and for United States President Joseph Biden. Dr. Nichols will lead the MSK on its first international tour to London, England in 2025. Dr. Nichols served as a Guest Lecturer at New York University and Columbia University and is Past President of the Big Ten Band Director’s National Association.

Dr. Nichols annually serves as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and recording producer and is especially honored to have guest conducted the United States Army Field Band. Dr. Nichols has recently been appointed as Music Director for the Princeton Brass Band and he also serves as artistic director for the Eastern Wind Symphony, a position he has held since 2010. Dr. Nichols conducted highly acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and records regularly with the EWS, including two recent albums Resurgence and Elements. Under his direction, the EWS received multiple Grammy Award nominations of eligibility and has been invited to perform at major music conventions including the 2021 and 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2019 ACB National Convention, 2017 NAfME All Eastern Convention, and 2017 ITG Conference. Dr. Nichols has commissioned forty-two new works for wind band, supporting numerous composers.

Dr. Nichols received his DMA in conducting at Rutgers University, MM in conducting from Messiah College and BM in music from The College of New Jersey. For nineteen years, Dr. Nichols served as Director of Bands at Roxbury and Edison High Schools in New Jersey, where his ensembles were recognized for outstanding performance at numerous local, state, and many prestigious national festivals and concerts. Dr. Nichols has co-authored two articles published in The Journal of Band Research and WASBE Journal and was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and American School Band Directors Association in 2016. Dr. Nichols received the 2022 Rutgers University Transfer Student Champion Award, two Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and NJ the Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award.

Dr. Nichols resides in Branchburg, NJ with his wife, Beth, and daughters, Sarah, and Emily.