The Bandstand Marathon took place on Sunday 25th September with over 100 bands, choirs and ensembles participating. Rain caused a few problems for some people at the start of the day, but the sun came out and the bands played in bandstands across the UK. Many thanks to all the bands that took part and to the many people who made the event possible.

If you took part in an event or visited a performance please send us your pictures and comments. Send them to katharine@superact.org.uk and follow the comments on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are a band interested in participating on the 9th September 2012, please complete and return the Register of Interest Form. You can also find more information on the event in the document Information for Participating Bands.

Superact will be initiating contact with Local Authorities and partners across the UK during December, but for more information please email contact@superact.org.uk. 

The Bandstand Marathon has been granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme for the fourth year in a row! 

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Musical performances in bandstands and other open public spaces will be held across the UK on Sunday 9th September 2012 as part of the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad. The project is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people. 

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: "Bandstand Marathon is encouraging local music groups to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Superact we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in creating a cultural legacy post-London 2012." 

Ali Smith, Superact Director, explains: "The Bandstand Marathon started life in 2008 with the aim of enlivening public spaces and celebrating the nations much loved bandstands. With an estimated 150 venues taking part this year we are hoping to provide performance opportunities for over 3,000 musicians across the UK. This is Superact's largest UK project and we are very proud to have been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark."

Superact is pleased to announce that the Bandstand Marathon will be taking place throughout parks and town centres in the UK on Sunday 9th September 2012.

As part of the Cultural Olympiad the Bandstand Marathon aims to enliven public spaces by having as many bands performing on as many bandstands and outdoor performances spaces all at the same time on the same day throughout the UK.

The event, now in its 5th year celebrates local amateur musical talent; reflecting the amateur athletes who will be participating in the 2012 Games.

It also makes use of the many historic bandstands that adorn our local parks and town centres; many of which are underused or never used at all and we hope to revitalise and reinvigorate them. The music played by the bands cross many genres, from current popular music, rock classics, music from films and shows, jazz and swing, as well as more traditional tunes.

We aim to have over 500 performances on the 9th September 2012.

Superact are pleased to be working in partnership in with Making Music. Making Music is the largest umbrella arts organisation for amateur and voluntary music in the UK with nearly 3,000 member groups, representing over 250,000 amateur musicians.

It has been the voice of voluntary music since 1935. Making Music exists to support and champion amateur and voluntary music of all genres throughout the UK. Its members include symphony orchestras, jazz bands, samba groups, choirs, handbell ringers, folk festivals, music clubs, and more.

"We're delighted to be involved in the Bandstand Marathon. It is a wonderful idea to help reclaim public spaces, and will inspire more people to perform music together and support their local groups."