PBB’s Mission

The Princeton Brass Band is devoted to advancing the British-style brass band tradition in our region 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.

PBB’s History

The Princeton Brass Band was founded in May 2004. The band is a British-style brass band which includes cornets, tenor horns, euphoniums, and concert percussion. This distinguishes us from the New Orleans-style brass band which includes trumpets, sousaphones, and marching percussion.

The Princeton Brass Band has established itself as a robust cultural asset across the Tri-State Area. Comprised of top players from throughout the region, the band has worked and performed with a multitude of world-renowned guest artists such as Tom Hutchinson, David Childs, Russell Gray, David Krauss, Ailsa Russell, and Aaron VanderWeele. The band has performed alongside ensembles such as the New York Staff Band of The Salvation Army, Eastern Wind Symphony, and Imperial Brass Band.

The Princeton Brass Band is a member of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) and competes annually at national championships. In 2013 the band won first place in the Championship Section, becoming National Champions of North America. In 2023 PBB returned to NABBA after a six-year hiatus and won first place in the First Section, once again becoming national champions. The band currently competes in the Championship Section.

Outside of competing, the Princeton Brass Band maintains an active performance schedule and can frequently be found performing for our community, collaborating with local charities, and teaming up with the Princeton Youth Brass Band. 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’.