top of page
2025 Wurst Brass Festival Rules
Wurst Brass logo (final).jpg

Brass Band Registration deadline is March 20th!

“Wurst Friday" march competition Friday, June 13th, 2025

    Registration

        Registration form Due March 20th

        Entry fee (non-refundable) $500.

        Supply a band roster

        Supply 2 copies of scores (all copies/originals will be returned after the event)


    Personnel

        33 instrumentalists (35 for youth bands) - brass and percussion 

        If the conductor elects to perform, they will be counted as part of the 33 instrumentalists

        Players shall not be rotated

        No sharing of players


    Performance Requirements

        There will be 3 performance sites and it will be a shotgun start.

        Bands must perform 2 marches at each of the three performance locations:

  1. An American march of their choice

  2. The test march - TO BE SELECTED

  3. The contest march is to be played once through with a DC to the Fine

        Bands must be ready to play when asked

        All Bands will start from their designated site - which will be determined by the draw


    Adjudication 

        Bands will be scored using the NABBA scoring system.  Technical Achievement (50%) and Artistic Achievement (50%).

        Each adjudicator will have a maximum of 100 points

        Final results will be an average of the adjudicators' scores

        The test march will be weighted to 60% of the score.


    Prizes

        1st place

        2nd place

        
“Wurst Brass Festival” - Saturday, June 14th, 2025

    Personnel

        34 instrumentalists

        Players may be rotated

        Players may be shared


    Performance Requirements 

        5 - 8 bands in attendance

            There will be 1 location 

            Bands will have 15 minutes to set up for their performance

            Each band will have 60 minutes to perform their chosen works

            There are no required pieces. All musical selections are at the sole discretion of the performing group.

            A draw will determine the performance order of bands.

        3 to 4 bands in attendance

            There will be 1 location 

            Bands will have 15 minutes to set up for their performance

            Each band will perform two 45-minute programs throughout the day.  

The performance rotation will be created after the draw has been determined. 

            There are no required pieces. All musical selections are at the sole discretion of the performing group.

            A draw will determine the performance order of bands.

           
    Adjudication

        This is a concert-style entertainment performance. No adjudication will take place other than the 'Audience Choice' awards.  

        Audience Choice Awards will be: 1 - Favorite Overall Performing Group of the Day,  2 - Most Entertaining Group of the Day, 3 - Favorite Solo or 

        duet of the Day,  4 - Favorite Group Appearance (Uniforms, Stage Setup, Etc.). AKA - Best Looking Group


    Disclaimer

        The Iowa Brass band will not be responsible for loss, damage or injury during the event. 

        Bands must accept the responsibility of any minors associated with their band.

        It is the responsibility of the performing band to obtain permission to perform any unpublished works.

Take home the hardware

bottom of page