In early 1986, a small group of brass band enthusiasts from Bern rose to the challenge of generating interest in the creation of a new brass band. Several such earlier attempts had proved futile as Berne was considered ‘difficult turf’. Nevertheless, talented and motivated brass banders were not to be denied a new musical challenge in their everyday lives and the opportunity to increase the popularity of brass band music in Berne.

The newly formed band rehearsed for the very first time in May 1986 under the baton of Hugo Staudenmann, who at this time also directed the Knabenmusik Berne and the Military Music Band of the Infantry Regiment No. 14. Practices only took place every second or third week, band members came and went, and the rehearsal room changed frequently. In early 1987, after a year’s hard graft, the band gave its first official concert in Bätterkinden. In autumn of the same year, the band took part in the Schweizerischen Brass Band Wettbewerb (Swiss Brass Band Championships) for the first time, at this point still held in the Kursaal in Berne.

After 3 years, the initial period of turbulence was over and on the 25th of June 1989, a new band was founded in Berne - the Regional Brass Band Berne. In accordance with the newly drafted regulations, the band’s primary objectives were:

    1. Promoting brass band music in the Berne area
    2. Furthering the musical development and training of its members
    3. Encouraging camaraderie amongst its members.

The Regional Brass Band Berne (RBB) has remained a member of the Bernischen Kantonal-Musikverband (Bernese Cantonal Music Association) as well as the Schweizerischen Brass Band Verband (Swiss Brass Band Federation) ever since.

As any bandsman will tell you, a little travelling is part and parcel of playing in a brass band. On their first venture over the Swiss border, the RBB achieved considerable success with their participation in the Survento Brass Band Festival, an entertainment contest in Surhuisterveen, Holland. Despite strong competition from the Dutch, the RBB walked away with the first prize.
During 1996 and 1997 the band found itself once again on foreign soil: in June 1996, they headed north for three concerts in Ober-Möhrlen and Bad Nauheim, Germany. Arguably one of the most memorable moments of the trip, and indeed in RBB history, was the standing ovation they received at the Castle Ober-Möhrlen concert, attended by around 1,000 people. In June 1997, the band took part in the Survento Festival for the second time, this time achieving 2^nd place in the First Section.

A highlight for many was the two trips (2000/2006) the RBB made to the heart of the brass band movement - the Whit Friday marches in England. Alongside the countless social highlights of the trip, the band was also overwhelmed by the passionate enthusiasm with which the locals received their performances. In 2000, they won the Deportment prize in Greenfield. In June 2006, the RBB managed to repeat their success and win the Deportment prize in Uppermill and Lydgate as well as the First Section in Scouthead with their performance of The President; one of the most-loved British marches.
In early 2002 the RBB once again crossed the border, this time into the Alsace region in France, where their concerts in Dannemarie and Guebwiller left a lasting impression on the locals. At the 2003 French Open in Amboise (near Tours) the RBB, playing in frankly tropical conditions, achieved 2^nd place in the First Section. The subsequent open-air concert, characterized completely by French mentality, was another musical highlight of the festival.

The band has taken part in the Swiss Brass Band Championships every year since 1987, nearly always gaining a place in the top third of the First Section. The best result to date was their 2003 performance of Eric Ball’s Journey into Freedom, when the band won first prize. In 1999, 2004 and 2005 they were ranked second, in 2007 and 2001, third and fourth respectively.
In addition to the Swiss Championships, the band has also achieved a podium placing at various entertainment contests: in Surhuisterveen, Netherlands (1993 & 1997), in Menznau, Canton Luzern (1995) and in Orsières, Canton Valais (2011).

In June 1999 they took part in their first Kantonalen Musikfest (Bernese Cantonal Music Festival) in Huttwil, gaining second place behind a guest band from Luzern, thus making them the highest place Bernese band on the day. In Belp in June 2004 however, they finally got their much sought after victory, winning both the First Section and Deportment. The RBB successfully defended their titles at the 2009 Büren by the Aare Bernese Cantonal Music Festival, winning both the First Section and Deportment.