Brassettes Perform at Assist International Women's Day Event

The all-female Brassettes Scratch Band made their debut at the Stockton celebration.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:00pm

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The Brassettes Scratch Band, a group of 26 women from 22 different bands and ensembles, performed at the Assist International Women's Day event in Stockton. The band played "Here Come the Girls" and "A New Anthem," a powerful piece composed by Tracey McGuire for the Femme Fortissimo in memory of Sarah Everard.

Why it matters

The Assist International Women's Day event aimed to celebrate and empower women, particularly in the male-dominated world of brass bands. The Brassettes' performance was an inspiring display of female talent and solidarity.

The details

The Brassettes Scratch Band made their debut concert appearance at The Globe venue in Stockton to open the Assist International Women's Day event. The 26 women from 22 different bands and ensembles took the stage to perform the two pieces, which highlighted issues of violence against women.

  • The Brassettes Scratch Band performed at the Assist International Women's Day event on March 11, 2026.

The players

Brassettes Scratch Band

An all-female brass band made up of 26 women from 22 different bands and ensembles.

Tracey McGuire

The composer of "A New Anthem," a piece performed by the Brassettes Scratch Band in memory of Sarah Everard.

Joanne Behan

A member of the Brassettes Scratch Band who spoke about the privilege of opening the Assist International Women's Day event.

Sue Anderson

A panelist at the Assist International Women's Day event, which featured a discussion on what it means to give generously and grow through experiences.

Liz Byrne

A panelist at the Assist International Women's Day event, which featured a discussion on what it means to give generously and grow through experiences.

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What they’re saying

“It was a privilege to open such an inspiring event organised by the Ladies Assist team. We also had the chance to hear from a brilliant panel including Sue Anderson, Prof Arlene and Liz Byrne, expertly hosted by Rachel Teate.”

— Joanne Behan, Brassettes Scratch Band member

“A huge thank you to everyone who took part. It was fantastic to see so many female brass players come together to make music and mark this International Women's Day event in such a meaningful way.”

— Joanne Behan, Brassettes Scratch Band member

The takeaway

The Brassettes Scratch Band's performance at the Assist International Women's Day event in Stockton was a powerful display of female talent and solidarity, highlighting the importance of empowering women in the brass band community and beyond.