Monthly Archives: October 2019

While there is a clear link between brass bands and alcohol – either in the various bands that supported the temperance movement, or the enjoyment of beer, in particular, that slaked the thirst of players – a similar association with … Continue reading →

Don’t you just love it when the MD rolls out a new test piece for an upcoming contest – perhaps even one you’ve heard before and enjoyed – until you see your part. All those notes and accidentals! Never mind, … Continue reading →

Many of the times that a brass band has performed a concert, a printed programme has been available for the audience, giving the details of the pieces played, their composers and arrangers and, where appropriate, the names of the conductor … Continue reading →

There is no longer a brass band in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, but it did enjoy the music of a number of local bands in the town from around 1855 until the last one disbanded in 1955. Aldborough is a village … Continue reading →

A number of postcards were produced in the early 1900s which would have been insulting to the recipient – likening their verbal utterances to an extreme amount of hot air – i.e. a “brass band”. One assumes, like the later … Continue reading →

Over the years the brass bands in the UK, and elsewhere, have appeared numerous times on screen, whether in feature films or on television programmes. In most cases they are small appearances fulfilling the role of a “local” band in … Continue reading →

Having just been asked by my band’s librarian to identify the marches we use for the Durham Miners’ Gala (so she can get clean copies made for the 2020 event) it reminded me of some notes I’d made on the … Continue reading →

I had some discussions earlier this year with some members of Windjammers – the US Historical Circus Music Society – seeking details of some of their articles on the history of circus bands in the USA. Their journal “Circus Fanfare” … Continue reading →

Having produced an article on temperance bands last year (see link below), it is clear to me – and to most brass players – that abstinence from intoxicating liquids is not the norm for brass bands. Many bands had links … Continue reading →

There are some pictures that make you wonder “Eh?” or “Huh?” or “WTF?” (whichever you prefer). For example, this European (possibly German) cornet player is holding a dead duck/chicken? What is the story behind this?           … Continue reading →