FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT WAYNE, IN (April 3, 2025) – Visit Fort Wayne is proud to announce the 2025 North American Brass Band (NABBA) Championships will once again take place in downtown Fort Wayne, April 3 - 5.
NABBA is an organization of volunteers dedicated to the promotion and development of the British-style brass band movement in North America. Performers participating in their Championship range from high school age to senior citizens.
Fort Wayne hosted the NABBA Championships from 2015 - 2019. The organization cancelled the 2020 & 2021 Contests due to COVID-19, then moved the event to Huntsville, AL from 2022 - 2024. Organizers wanted to try another location for their 3 year term, and in doing so realized that Fort Wayne suited their group better. With our city's growing music economy and the addition of music venues such as Pearl Street Arts Center, it only made the case stronger in favor of moving the event back to Fort Wayne for 2025 with the potential to hold the event here through 2028.
“When we started coming to Fort Wayne we had 23 bands, now we have 41,” said NABBA Board Member, Dave Jones.
The event will be hosted by the Grand Wayne Convention Center with competitions taking place at the Embassy Theatre, Allen County Public Library Main Branch, and Pearl Street Arts Center.
This year, about 1,400 brass instrument performers from across the United States and Canada will compete as soloists, in ensembles, and as a band to win the North American Championship title.
This event is open to the public. Competition, schedule, and ticket information can be found at nabba.org/championships. Tickets can also be purchased at the Embassy box office.
Brass Band related workshops and vendor displays are also on the agenda for Friday and Saturday.
Not only is NABBA a unique and fun event for Fort Wayne to host and residents to enjoy, but large-scale events like this bring significant economic benefits to our city.
The estimated economic impact of this event is approximately $325,000.
“We are thrilled to welcome NABBA back to Fort Wayne and look forward to wowing the attendees with our hospitable and state-of-the-art venues,” said Visit Fort Wayne Senior Sales Manager, Josie O’Donnell.
----
For more information about about the 2025 NABBA Championships and media interviews, contact:
Patrick Herak
NABBA President
pherak@nabba.org
(614) 668-6481
Nicolle Campbell
Visit Fort Wayne Director of Sales
nicolle@visitfortwayne.com
(260) 424-3700
Dave Jones
NABBA Board Member Local Representative
djones@nabba.org
260-710-2908
###