Ipswich is recruiting 400 trombonists of all ages and abilities to attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest trombone ensemble at Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct, as part of the 2026 SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival.
The massive attempt kicks off on Sunday 12 July. To smash the current world record of 369 musicians set in the Netherlands back in 2012, Ipswich needs at least 370 players to show up and play on the day. Organisers are not just looking to scrape through, targeting 400 trombonists to clear the line with a comfortable margin and make the moment truly unforgettable.
Players of all ages and skill levels can sign up now to help secure the title, though everyone will need to bring their own trombone along.
For anyone who has ever played a trombone and let it gather dust, or for young students still learning the slide positions, this is a genuinely once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of a piece of history in a city that takes its arts seriously.
The man behind the plan
The record attempt is being organised by Matt Chambers, Music Director of the Ipswich City Big Band, who came up with the concept as a way to celebrate the instrument and bring the community together through music. His son Callum Chambers is involved in the preparations alongside him.
“We welcome people of all ages and abilities to be part of the world record attempt,” Matt said. “Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, we’ll have music suited to different skill levels and plenty of support in the lead up. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attempt this world record, have fun and put local musicians on the world stage.”
The piece the ensemble will perform is 76 Trombones, the iconic march from the 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man, written by Meredith Willson, which has since become one of the most recognised pieces for trombone in the world, performed by marching bands, orchestras and brass ensembles across every continent.
There is something almost perfectly fitting about a world record attempt for the largest trombone ensemble being anchored by a song that has always celebrated exactly that image.
A festival that sets the scene
The record attempt forms part of SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival, which returns for 8 to 12 July 2026 with a programme of arts, music, theatre and live experiences across the city. The full programme will be announced on the SPARK website in coming months, but the trombone world record attempt on the final day of the festival is shaping up as its centrepiece event.
Ipswich has a strong musical heritage, with the region producing talented musicians across multiple genres, and the Nicholas Street Precinct provides an ideal open-air setting for a performance of this scale, with Tulmur Place offering a central, accessible gathering point in the heart of the city.
How to register
Registrations are free and open now. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. You must bring your own trombone on the day. Music will be provided at different skill levels to ensure everyone can participate confidently, and support will be available in the lead-up.
To register, visit the Ipswich World’s Largest Trombone Ensemble World Record Attempt website. For more on the SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival, click here.
Published 19-May-2026
