Wurst Brass Festival - Amana, Iowa

07/31/2026

As we look back on an incredible 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, our hearts are full of gratitude.

To every musician who traveled from near and far to share your talent with us, thank you. Your outstanding performances, friendships, and love for brass music are what make this festival so special. You didn't just perform, you created an unforgettable experience for everyone who attended.

To our amazing audience, thank you for supporting live brass music throughout the entire weekend. Whether you joined us for Friday night's performances at the Festhalle Barn, Millstream Brewing Company, or the Market Barn, or spent Saturday enjoying the incredible lineup in the Festhalle Barn, your enthusiasm, applause, and encouragement meant the world to our performers. We hope you discovered a new favorite band, reconnected with old friends, and made wonderful memories along the way.

To our generous sponsors, thank you for believing in our vision. Your support makes it possible for us to bring together outstanding brass bands from across North America and continue growing this unique celebration of music and community.

And to our incredible volunteers, thank you for the countless hours you gave before, during, and after the festival. Whether you were setting up stages, welcoming guests, serving food and drinks, running sound, transporting equipment, selling merchandise, helping bands, or tackling a hundred other behind-the-scenes jobs, this festival simply would not happen without you.

Wurst Brass Festival has always been about more than great music. It's about bringing people together, building friendships, celebrating community, and sharing the joy of brass music with everyone.

From all of us at Iowa Brass, thank you for making 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 such a fun, welcoming, and memorable weekend. We can't wait to do it again next year!

See you at 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 as we celebrate our 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥! 🎺🍺❤️

06/18/2026

Our segment on KCRG's Everyday Iowa show today!

We got all the details on the two-day celebration of brass music, community, and German heritage in the heart of Amana!

06/18/2026

🎺 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲... 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐎𝐔? 🍺🌭⁣
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It takes a 𝐥𝐨𝐭 of volunteers, a lot of planning, and apparently a lot of tables to transform an empty barn into the home of the 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥!⁣
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Check out this time-lapse video of 10 Iowa Brass members hard at work getting everything ready for an incredible weekend of music, food, friends, and fun in Amana.⁣
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After months of planning, hundreds of emails, countless volunteer hours, and more than a few trips to Costco, we are officially 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥!⁣
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Now all that's missing is 𝐘𝐎𝐔.⁣
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Join us 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 for the 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫, then come back 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 for a full day of outstanding brass bands from across the United States.⁣
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The 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬 are nearly ready.⁣
The 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 is cold.⁣
The 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 are on their way.⁣
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𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! 🎶🍻🌭⁣

https://youtu.be/Fa0c5gkqZzA
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Time-lapse of our Iowa Brass team prepping the Festhalle Barn for W...

06/17/2026

⏰🎺 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍: 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝟕𝟓 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒! 🎺⏰

In less than 75 hours, the first notes of the 2026 Wurst Brass Festival will ring out across the Amana Colonies!

That means we're just a few days away from:

🎺 9 outstanding brass bands
🏆 The Wurst Friday March Music Competition
🍺 Great beer from Millstream Brewing Company
🌭 Delicious food
🎶 More than 300 musicians from 7 states
🎥 Live streaming for those who can't attend
😊 Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones

Right now, musicians are packing instruments, polishing bells, reviewing music, and getting ready for one of the most exciting weekends of the year.

Meanwhile, our volunteers are busy preparing everything needed to welcome more than 300 musicians and hundreds of guests to Amana.

The countdown is officially on!

👇 Let us know in the comments:

How many Wurst Brass Festivals have you attended?

0️⃣ This will be my first!

1️⃣ I've attended one.

2️⃣ I've attended two.

3️⃣ I've attended three.

4️⃣ I'm coming to my fourth Wurst Brass Festival!

We can't wait to see everyone this Friday at 6:00 PM for the Wurst Friday March Music Competition!

06/16/2026

Millstream Brewing Co. is kicking off Wurst Festival Weekend with a Band March Competition this Friday (6/19) 🎺 Here's your chance to see 7 of the nation's top brass bands compete at Iowa's Original Craft Brewery from 6-8 pm 🍺

06/16/2026

Anyone up for a roadtrip?? Gather your friends and enjoy an entire day of brats, beer, and brass bands at the Wurst Brass Fest! Link in the comments.

Iowa Brass BRBB at Wurst Brass Fest 2026

06/15/2026

🔴📺 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄!⁣
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Can't make it to Amana next weekend? We've got you covered!⁣
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The 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 will be livestreaming two of our biggest events on the Iowa Brass YouTube channel:⁣
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🎺 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣
📅 Friday, June 19, 2026⁣
🕔 Stream begins at 5:45 PM⁣
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🎶 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 - 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲⁣
📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026⁣
🕥 Stream begins at 10:30 AM⁣
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Visit our YouTube channel today and click the "𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐌𝐞" button on each stream so you'll be alerted the moment we go live:⁣
https://www.youtube.com//streams⁣
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Of course, the livestream is the next best thing to being there. Nothing can replace experiencing the incredible sound of live brass bands, enjoying great food and beverages, and spending the weekend with fellow music lovers in beautiful Amana, Iowa!⁣
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Whether you're joining us in person or watching from home, we look forward to sharing an amazing weekend of brass band music with you.⁣
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06/14/2026

☀️ Perfect Festival Weather!

The forecast is looking fantastic, with temperatures expected in the upper 70s and, best of all, dry weather throughout the festival. That means perfect conditions to enjoy outstanding brass bands, great food, cold beverages, and all the fun that makes the Wurst Brass Festival such a special event.

Grab your lawn chair (Millstream Brewing Company), bring your friends & family, and make plans to join us in Amana on June 19-20. We can't wait to fill the air with great music under beautiful Iowa skies! 🎺🍻🌭

If you're coming to the Festhalle Barn, no need to bring a chair!

06/13/2026

🎺🤔 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝? 🤔🎺

First, we'd like to acknowledge the hundreds of brass band musicians, conductors, and brass band enthusiasts reading this post. Thank you for your supreme wisdom, years of experience, and unwavering dedication to correcting people when they call a cornet a trumpet. We appreciate your service. 😉😂

Now, for everyone else...

One of the most common questions we hear at the Wurst Brass Festival is:

"How is a brass band different from a concert band?"

Great question!

🎼 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝

A concert band includes woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

You'll typically see:
• Flutes
• Clarinets
• Oboes
• Bassoons
• Saxophones
• Trumpets
• French Horns
• Trombones
• Euphoniums
• Tubas
• Percussion

A typical concert band might have anywhere from 40 to 100+ musicians.

🎺 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡-𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝

A brass band contains only brass instruments and percussion.

No flutes.
No clarinets.
No saxophones.
No oboes.
No bassoons.

Just brass and percussion.

A traditional brass band consists of about 28 players and uses a very specific instrumentation:

• 9 Cornets
• 1 Flugelhorn
• 3 Tenor Horns
• 2 Baritones
• 2 Euphoniums
• 2 Tenor Trombones
• 1 Bass Trombone
• 2 Eb Tubas
• 2 BBb Tubas
• Percussion

🤯 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 #𝟏

Most of the brass instruments in a brass band are conical instruments. That means the tubing starts very small at the mouthpiece receiver and gradually gets larger throughout nearly the entire length of the instrument before reaching the bell flare.

Cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas are all primarily conical instruments. This design produces a warm, rich, blended sound that many people describe as more vocal or orchestral in character. When 28 musicians play together, the result is the famous "wall of brass" sound that brass band fans love.

🤯 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 #𝟐

British-style brass bands originated in the industrial towns of England during the 1800s and remain hugely popular throughout the United Kingdom today. In many communities, brass bands are every bit as much a tradition as football clubs and pubs.

🤯 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 #𝟑

Many people attend their first brass band concert expecting it to sound like a concert band. It doesn't. The sound is often described as warmer, richer, more powerful, and surprisingly orchestral.

🤯 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 #𝟒

The 2026 Wurst Brass Festival will feature more than 300 musicians from 7 states performing throughout the weekend, making it one of the largest gatherings of British-style brass bands in the Midwest!

If you've never heard a British-style brass band before, you're in for a treat.

And if you're already a brass band expert, tell us:

🎺 What was the first brass band you ever played in?

🎺 What was the first brass band performance that made you fall in love with the brass band sound?

🎺 If you could introduce a newcomer to brass bands with just one piece, what would it be?

We'd love to hear your stories!

06/12/2026

📸 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐌𝐲𝐤𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 📸

One of the best parts of the 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 is looking back at the amazing photos that capture the music, friendships, and fun of the weekend. We're fortunate to have 𝐌𝐲𝐤𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 serving as our official festival photographer once again this year!

Throughout the festival, Myka will be everywhere, capturing performances, candid moments, celebrations, and all the little things that make Wurst Brass such a special gathering. Her photos help tell the story of the weekend and preserve memories that we'll enjoy for years to come.

So don't be shy! Strike a pose, hold up a glass, dance to your favorite tune, gather your friends, share a laugh, and flash a smile when you see Myka nearby. Some of the most memorable festival photos happen when people simply relax, have fun, and enjoy the moment.

We are incredibly grateful to 𝐌𝐲𝐤𝐚 for volunteering her time and talent to document the festival. Be sure to say hello if you see her around Amana, and help us fill this year's photo album with unforgettable memories!

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐌𝐲𝐤𝐚! 📷🎶🍻

Myka Forrest