SAINT LOUIS
BRASS BAND
Gateway Brass Band Championships
The Gateway Brass Band Championship is a competitive music event for brass bands and ensembles held annually in the St. Louis area. The 2026 event will be held at Cornerstone Christian Church in O'Fallon, Illinois, March 21, 2026. Cornerstone is a contemporary church with a stage area and auditorium style seating.
​
The primary goal of the Gateway Brass Band Championship is to provide an adjudicated performance prior to the North American Brass Band Association Championships. Additionally it promotes brass banding and brass performance though a unique format of Championship Section and Open Section traditional and non-traditional own choice performances. In addition to the highest scoring band being named Gateway Brass Band Champion in each section, second place awards in both Open and Championships Sections and Outstanding Section awards are presented. If six or more bands compete in the Championship Section, a third-place trophy will be awarded.
Bands in the Championship Section will perform a 25-50 minute set of music of their Own Choice while Open Section Bands will perform a 10-30 minute set of their Own Choice. Adjudication in both sections will be behind a screen and will be NABBA certified. Judges will evaluate the entire program and award one overall score. Please see the attached NABBA adjudication Rubric. Judges will exit the hall before awards to maintain the anonymity of the bands.
​
Admission is free and open to the public.