The National Capital and Virginia Division of the Salvation Army, based in Washington, DC, held its annual Community Christmas Carol Concert at the Westover Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia, on 11 December 2005. The special guest for this year's concert was Sara Dell'Omo, mezzo-soprano, vocal soloist from “The President's Own” United States Marine Band. The concert also featured the National Capital Band (Bandmaster James Anderson), the Swansonettes (a girls' choir from Swanson Middle School, directed by Elizabeth Gephardt), the Hughes Methodist Church Chancel Bell Choir (directed by Marie Bunting), the Metro DC Timbrelists (directed by Elsie Morris) and a young vocalist from the Fairfax Corps of the Salvation Army, Gerson Cruz.

The 17th annual Great American Brass Band Festival was held in Danville, Kentucky 10–12 June 2005. The festival, held primarily on the campus of Centre College, is hosted by the Advocate Brass Band, based in Danville. Participating groups in the 2005 festival included historic re-enactment bands, such as Saxton’s Cornet Band and Dodworth Saxhorn Band, playing mid-19th century instruments. The jazz brass tradition was represented by groups such as the Great Olympia Traditional Jazz Band, the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra, and Rhythm & Brass. The British brass band style was represented by the Chicago Brass Band (current North American Brass Band Association champions), the Athena Brass Band (an all-star, all-women group), and the National Capital Band of the Salvation Army. (For a complete list of performers at the 2005 festival, see the GABBF website at www.gabbf.com.) Featured soloists included Dr. Patricia Backhaus, trumpeter Allen Vizzutti, and euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead.