Loud, raucous, and full of fun, The Expandable Brass Band is dedicated to spreading joyful music to inspire, entertain and support important causes. You’ll find us on the streets and sidewalks of Western Massachusetts, braving winter winds and summer swelter, drawing crowds of young and old. In the time it takes to empty a spit valve, we go from New Orleans to Bollywood – plus we’re Expandable so all are welcome to dust off those old horns, grab a drum, and join us!

Inspired by the international street band movement, we want to spread that joy of playing in the street both for the fun of it and in support of others working on important social issues, especially in our community. We are most excited about playing in streets, in parks, parades, on the sidewalk, and anywhere the audience is close and at our level. If we march, they can join us; if they march, we can join them! We strive to be up, moving, and interactive. We are completely self-organized, without a leadership hierarchy. Most of all, we are expandable, welcoming all and becoming what our members want us to be.

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We have been bringing a small, dedicated, group of musicians of varying ages (high school to retirement) and skill levels to Honk for many years and are committed to continuing that tradition, offering our own crowd-pleasing arrangements with verve and aplomb!

- Hot Chocolate Run to Benefit Safe Passage - promotes freedom from violence in Hampshire County. Raises money for Women’s Shelter and other services for women in abusive relationships.
- Northampton Shelter Benefit - to benefit the Hampshire Interfaith Winter Shelter
- Springfield Museum Halloween Parade
- Community Enterprises , “Free As I Want to Be” event, Greenfield, MA - serving adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities.
- The World We Love - A Celebration of Interdependence – Northampton parade/protest against climate change, local methane leaks, etc.
- Northampton Gay Pride Parade
- Whole Children Wild Goose Chase - a benefit for children with special needs.
- No Pipeline Rally, Sandisfield, MA
- Holyoke Merry Go-Round – fundraiser for 88-year-old Merry-Go-Round
- Monte’s March – Sunderland, MA – benefit for Food Bank
- Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways, celebration of bike paths

We welcome all to join us—that’s what being expandable means. Whether you play a traditional marching band instrument or an untraditional one; whether you’re a professional musician, a lapsed amateur, or a complete novice; whether you play by ink or by ear, there’s a place for you in the Expandable Brass Band. We strive to have a band where all have an equal voice. We encourage issues to be resolved in a respectful way.

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