Brass Band
Rehearsals take place every Tuesday between 05:00 pm – 07:15 pm in the School of Music Rehearsal Hall (term time only).
For any queries, reach out to us at luumsbb@gmail.com.
About Brass Band
Brass band is an open ensemble welcoming brass and percussion musicians of any and all levels of experience. Whether you’re well versed in the ways of the brass band world or just want to give it a go there is a seat for everyone.
The band takes part in a range of events throughout the year, you are unlikely to get bored. Alongside the LUUMS concerts we perform in two big events, TriUni and Unibrass, with many university brass bands from round the country. We carol in the Christmas season to raise funds and host regular social events, including the annual Pancake Day social. Rehearsals are always followed by a drink or a few, of your choice, in Old bar.
Instruments
Brass band welcomes musicians of all levels on all the traditional brass band instruments with some additions: Cornet, Trumpet, Soprano Cornet, Flugel, Tenor horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Trombone (bass and tenor), Eb Bass, Bb bass, tuned and untuned percussion. If you don’t own your own instrument but would like to join drop us a message and we will do our best to help you out.
TriUni
TriUni is a long running collaboration between Leeds, Warwick, and Durham with a rich history of amazing concerts and socials. It’s our turn to host TriUni this year, it’s going to be great!
UniBrass
UniBrass is a competition between the university brass bands from around the country. It’s a competitive event that brings the band together and is always good fun. This year the UniBrass weekend is in Cardiff.
Meet the Brass Band team
Conductor
James Kinley
James Kinley is a trombonist, enjoyer of impractical cars, and third‑year Computer Science student from the Isle of Man. A lifelong brass-bander, he notably spent several years as a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, and performed at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
In his time at Leeds, James has been very active in university music, playing with the Brass Band, LUU Big Band, and various pit ensembles for musicals.
As incoming conductor of the Brass Band, he looks forward to introducing fresh repertoire and taking the band back to Cardiff for UniBrass 2026!
Managers
Charlie Bloomer
Charlie Bloomer is a third-year Filmmaking student at Leeds Beckett University, from Herefordshire. He started learning to play the cornet when he was 8 and also plays the trumpet. He has played in a variety of ensembles before coming to Leeds and has loved being a part of multiple LUUMS ensembles in his first and second year at Leeds, but has particularly enjoyed his time playing with Brass Band. Charlie loved participating with the band at the UniBrass competition in 2025 and can’t wait for the band to take part again in 2026. Charlie can’t wait to be a part of the band for every one of their concerts, as well as all of the band’s exciting socials!
Saffie (Saffron) Heddel
Saffron (Saffie) Heddell is a third-year PhD student in Atmospheric sciences. Saffie started learning the trombone in aged 9 in the Tendering Brass Band, Essex. She has played in many brass bands at home and in uni. During her undergrad, Saffie joined the Durham University Brass Band (dubb) where she was part of the exec (publicity officer then co-president the year after), finishing her degree as the president of Music Durham (essentially the equivalent of LUUMS).
Saffie found comfort in the family environment created by many of the local bands of County Durham and competed on and off throughout her degree. Saffie has loved becoming a part of the Leeds uni brass band in her first two years of her PhD, especially enjoying the supportive and fun nature of the band alongside the big events such as Tri-Uni and UniBrass. She is looking forward to continuing to be a part of the Leeds Uni Brass Band community!
Leeds University Union Music Society 