Brass and silver are joining forces for the 2015 National Championships, with members from both bands putting their instruments together for a shot at winning the week-long competition in Rotorua.

Brass and silver are joining forces for the 2015 National Championships on Wednesday.

For the first time, Tauranga City Silver and Rotorua Brass bands are operating under the collective title of Rotorua Brass for the championships on Wednesday, July 8.

Spokesman and Tauranga City Silver member Warwick White says a lack of numbers spurred the decision and has seen a renew enthusiasm in the group now that there is a chance to compete in the event.

'Instead of two bands with about 10 to 12 players in each group, unable to perform or contest because of lack of numbers, we decided to put our players together.

'There's a real mix of people – I'm 70, there's a guy in cornet section over 80 and we have young people in there too.”

To celebrate, the new, larger band is performing at the Salvation Army Hall, corner of Fifth Ave and Cameron Rd, on Sunday, July 5 at 4pm.

Rotorua Brass will be performing a mix of contest work, light-hearted pieces and showcasing a few of their talented soloists.

Entry is a gold coin, with all proceeds going to Waipuna Hospice. Next weekend, 27 bands will take part in the 2015 National Championships in Rotorua from Wednesday, July 8, to Sunday, July 12. The venue for the band and many of the solo events is the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, corner of Fenton and Arawa streets, Rotorua.