The fourth of five children in his family, he learned to play the euphonium, and then the trombone during his youth at Towcester Studio Brass Band.
In 2002, Brabbins founded a training course for aspiring conductors at the St Magnus International Festival in Orkney,[7] which he continues to co-direct.
Brabbins first guest-conducted at English National Opera (ENO) in 2001, in a production of David Sawer's From Morning to Midnight.
[11][12] Brabbins has conducted commercial recordings of music for such labels as Warner,[13] Chandos,[14][15][16][17] Hyperion,[18][19] NMC,[20] Nimbus,[21] and Deutsche Grammophon.
In January 2013, the University of Bristol awarded Brabbins an honorary degree, of Doctor of Music honoris causa.