Author Archives: Gavin Holman

A new paper has been recently published and is available at: https://gavinholman.academia.edu/research Women and Brass: the female brass bands of the 19th and 20th centuries Brass bands have been a musical force across the world over the last 200 years. Mainly … Continue reading →

Four new papers have been recently published and are available at: https://gavinholman.academia.edu/research Brass drawings – a look at the depiction of brass bands and bandsmen through the eyes of the cartoonist and illustrator Brass bands, their players and instruments have … Continue reading →

Of the many brass bands that have flourished in Britain and Ireland over the last 200 years very few have documented records covering their history. This directory is an attempt to collect together information about such bands and make it … Continue reading →

There have been many estimates of the number of brass bands over the years. These have ranged widely and, in most cases, were greatly exaggerated. My research to date has identified nearly 20,000 distinct brass bands which existed in the British Isles between 1880 and … Continue reading →

A new paper has recently been published and is available at: https://gavinholman.academia.edu/research Researching the History of Brass Bands – a guide to the resources available For those wishing to delve into the history of brass bands there are various sources available, both … Continue reading →

Four new papers have been recently published and are available at: https://gavinholman.academia.edu/research Damen und Damen – Ladies’ professional travelling brass ensembles of the German Empire 1871-1918 Travelling musicians and entertainers had been a part of European life for centuries. In the … Continue reading →

As part of the Women Make Music campaign supported by the Performing Rights Society, the Harrogate Band is featuring the works of female composers and arrangers of brass band music in its concerts throughout the year. The band has a proud … Continue reading →