Category Archives: Uncategorized

A splendid new book on the history of wind bands in Canada – from the early bands to the community, military and school bands of later years. Also illustrating the musical heritage of Canadian band music. 475 page of fascinating … Continue reading →

Deer Lodge is a small community in Tennessee, which was established as health resort in the 1880s. At its peak, in the 1890s it had two hotels, a newspaper, a theatre, a band, a planing mill, and numerous clubs and … Continue reading →

A photograph of Cwmmawr Brass Band, which was a member of the West Wales Association of Brass Bands. The association was founded in September 1901, and some details appear in the Kidwelly Castle Contest programme of 13 July 1912. which … Continue reading →

A small observation of appreciation of a long-ago concert, on Sunday 16th August, 1908. It is rare to find actual mention of a band or concert on such a postcard. Sparrow’s Nest is a public park in Lowestoft. “Dear Florrey,We … Continue reading →

This is a photograph of the Etchingham Brass Band, from Sussex, c.1900. Although the snare drum clearly says “Etchington”, the band was from the village of Etchingham, the name “Etchington” being that of the local landed family. The band was … Continue reading →

In a belated nod to the recent Burns’ Night, for which I had to postpone my own haggis, tatties and neeps supper (instead having a Burns’ Sunday lunch yesterday), the history of brass bands tends to overlook the bands north … Continue reading →

This is an unknown orphanage or industrial school band. These were fairly common in the second half of the 19th century in England, associated with those institutions housing destitute, troubled or orphaned children. The photograph is one of a stereoscopic … Continue reading →

Two photographs of the Bentham Prize Brass Band. Bentham is a small town in the west of North Yorkshire. The first photo dates from around 1890 and the second from the early 1900s. The band was formed in the mid-1850s … Continue reading →

Here is a photo of a unknown brass band. During the 19th century various friendly and fraternal organisations arose, often as savings and mutual benefit societies, but also to foster links with both workers and professional men. The most famous … Continue reading →

The Salford Iron Works Brass Band in 1876. This was active from 1873 through to the late 1900s, and was supported by Messrs. Mather and Platt’s Ironworks in Salford. The conductor, standing behind the bass drum, is probably John Lord, … Continue reading →