Brass band (British style)

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The Lochgelly Band, a Scottish colliery band, circa 1890
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The Lochgelly Band, a Scottish colliery band, circa 1890

A British-style brass band is a musical ensemble comprising a standardised range of brass and percussion instruments. The modern form of the brass band in the United Kingdom dates back to the 19th century, with a vibrant tradition of competition based around local industry and communities. Bands using the British instrumentation are the most common form of brass band in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and are also widespread in continental Europe and North America.

The term 'silver band' is synonymous with 'brass band' in this sense; the vast majority of bands termed either 'brass' or 'silver' incorporate musicians playing both lacquered and silver-plated instruments.

Contents

[edit] Instrumentation

The core instrumentation used in British brass bands is as follows:

The United States derivation of a brass band may also include sousaphones, saxophones, flutes and other instruments. This evolved into the community band which can be either or both a concert band or marching band.

The make-up of a Salvation Army band is very similar to the standard band formation, with some exceptions - the Repiano Cornet is called the First Cornet, there is no 3rd cornet part and some parts (solo horn, 1st trombone) may use more than one player. There are standard make-ups for smaller bands in the Salvation Army, and much of the music produced by the Salvation Army is written for these bands.

[edit] United Kingdom

A modern British brass band
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A modern British brass band

Brass bands in the British tradition are limited to cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, tubas (known as basses in brass bands), and percussion; but not trumpets or french horns, since they are orchestral and concert band instruments.

With the exception of the bass trombone and percussion, all parts are transposing and written in the treble clef, which means that for every instrument, from the big basses right up to the soprano cornet, the fingering for the written notes is always the same. This system, which is unique to UK-style brass bands, ensures most parts can be covered when there is less than a full complement of players.

Many of the UK's bands originated as works bands or bands sponsored (and long identified with) various industrial concerns and coal mines. Of the leading bands, the Black Dyke Mills Band was sponsored by a wool mill, The YBS Band was until recently sponsored by the Yorkshire Building Society and originally the Hammond Sauce Works, the Foden, Fairey and Leyland Bands by the respective truck, vehicle and aircraft manufacturers, and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band was composed of miners and members of the associated coalfield community. With the decline of these industries the links between bands and their origins were dissolved, and membership is now drawn from all industries and parts of the community. Sudden loss of sponsorship, however, has caused many a top band to die. The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band have operated continually at the highest level without the aid of sponsorship; the band makes money to survive from their regular concerts, by selling recordings and other merchandise, and from public donations.

The leading band in Wales is the Buy As You View Band. The leading bands in Scotland are the Scottish Co-op Band (formally CWS Glasgow), Whitburn Band and Kirkintilloch Band. All these bands compete at the highest level in the banding movement.

[edit] Contesting in the United Kingdom

British banding is competitive and there are many local and area competitions held throughout the year. At a National level, the main contest (the one that is used to determine a band's official "section") is the Besson National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

This competition is split into five sections organized similarly to a football league table (Championship section, 1st section, 2nd section, 3rd section and 4th section).

For this competition, the UK is split into 8 regions (London and Southern Counties, Midlands, North, North West, Scotland, Wales, West of England, Yorkshire). Each year, in March/April, bands compete in their local regional contest in whichever section they are graded. The top two or three placed bands in each section then go through to the National Finals. These are normally held in September/October and have recently been held in Harrogate (Sections 1-4) and the Albert Hall (Championship) - as featured in the film Brassed Off.

Bands receive points each year in relation to their position (coming first gets 1 point, coming 9th gets 9 points). When the contest is over, the top two or three bands that have the lowest points total over the last three years will be promoted to the next section up from the following year. Likewise, bands with the most points will be relegated.

[edit] Salvation Army brass bands

Mainly based in the UK, Salvation Army brass bands have run parallel to the main brass band movement for almost a century. Bands range from small church bands to staff bands comprised of the best Salvation Army bandsmen in the area. The finest of them are of comparable standard to the Championship and 1st section bands. Their instrumentation is almost identical except for a minor difference in the cornet section whereby the repiano and 3rd parts are dropped in favour of a 1st cornet part; and that some major pieces have an optional 4th trombone part, to be played by a 1st trombone.

[edit] Australia

The Australian derivation of a brass band is the same as the UK brass band (i.e. standard instrumentation with no woodwind). Contesting bands in Australia are graded from A Grade to D Grade, and in past years, a separate Country or E Grade was also used. National Contests are held each year at Easter, with the location moving from state to state. Each state also conducts their own championships. National and state contests are generally of the same format: a set test piece for each grade, a hymn, an own choice piece (usually of the same standard as the test), and a street march. Smaller regional contests often replace the major works with an own choice concert program.

[edit] Belgium

In Belgium, there are about 30 brass bands. The best known is the Willebroek band, who were crowned European Brass Band Champions in 1993 and 2006. The average banding level is still rising, for the brass movement has only been introduced in Belgium some 30 years ago.

The national brass band Championships are held annually at the Royal Music Conservatory in Brussels. The winner represents Belgium at the European Championships. Participants are divided into 4 categories going from Championship section to 3rd section. Currently there are 5 bands competing in Championship section. These are: Brass Band Willebroek, Brass Band Buizingen, Metropole Brass Band, Festival Brass Band and Kortrijk Brass Band.

A large number of brass bands in Belgium are primarily based around recreational music, do not conform to British brass band instrumentation, and therefore do not compete.

[edit] Canada

Brass bands in the British tradition, sometimes sponsored by employers, existed in Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The geography of Canada (e.g. large distances between communities, making regular contests and migration of players difficult) was a key factor among many challenges that led to the demise of most such bands.

Today, excepting the Salvation Army bands (such as the Canadian Staff Band), there are few British-style brass bands (perhaps fewer than two dozen) in Canada, most of which are in Ontario. Most operate as recreational, amateur, "community" bands such as the Oshawa Civic Band. There are some semi-professional groups, like the Intrada Brass of Oakville, Ontario. One of the most successful brass bands in Canada is the Hannaford Street Silver Band.

There are hopes for growth in the education field of brass bands in Canada, and in particular southern Ontario. In 1999, the professional Hannaford Street Silver Band launched the Hannaford Street Youth Band, which is internationally recognized for its success. In 2005, another youth band was created for beginning brass players known as the Hannaford Junior Band. Beginning in September of 2006, the Hannaford organization plans to launch a third, intermediate, band known as the Hannaford Community Youth Band. These three ensembles target a wide range of youth from ages 11 to people well into their twenties.

[edit] Germany

Brass bands in Germany are not as widespread as in other European countries like Switzerland or the Netherlands. There are just a few bands (about five) playing in authentic British instrumentation. This is primarily due to the popularity of wind bands, particularly in Southern Germany.

[edit] Ireland

There is an existing - though small - brass band movement in the Republic of Ireland, with more than twenty competing bands and a number of non-contesting.

However, due to the past colonial influence of British Army bands, unlike the United Kingdom, concert bands are more prevalent.

[edit] Latin America

Brass bands long enjoyed popularity in many parts of Latin America as well. In 19th century Mexico very large bands were formed, such as that of composer Juventino Rosas. In parts of Mexico brass band concerts remain a popular entertainment.

[edit] Norway

The Norwegian Band Federation is the largest voluntary music organisation in Norway. Through their membership, the 1712 member bands with their 70,318 players (official figures as of 9/1/04) are offered good conditions for their hobby. A network rich in tradition also gives them a strong and influential position in the cultural life of Norway. Many primary schools have their own bands.

King Harald V is the patron of the Norwegian Band Federation. The Federation is granted an annual audience with the King in order to report to him and receive advice for the future. The King has awarded a royal trophy to the championships for adult bands.

[edit] United States

The Ohio State University Marching Band is the world's largest all-brass and percussion band.
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The Ohio State University Marching Band is the world's largest all-brass and percussion band.

While many brass bands in the US contain some woodwind instruments (such as flutes and saxophones), brass bands in the British tradition are becoming more popular through the efforts of the North American Brass Band Association.

Brass bands were very popular throughout the United States in the late 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. Composers like John Philip Sousa and Karl King wrote many pieces for them. Well known bands of virtuoso musicians toured widely, and most towns had their own bands that put on weekend music concerts. Other groups, ranging from benevolent societies to large factories, would often have a band. The brass band movement has undergone a resurgence in the late twentieth century, lead by the North American Brass Band Association. The United States boasts a number of professional brass bands, including the Brass Band of Battle Creek and the River City Brass Band.

The vibrant brass band tradition in New Orleans, Louisiana was key in the formation of jazz around the start of the 20th century. Brass bands remain a part of many ceremonies and celebrations (including jazz funerals with the second line tradition) in the city, some playing not only marches and jazz, but funk music and hip hop influenced music as well.

Among American college marching bands, all-brass bands are fairly common in order to fill large stadiums with music. The two best examples of all brass college marching bands are the: Spartan Marching Band and The Ohio State University Marching Band. The James Madison University brass band, which is not a marching band, but a traditional British-style brass band, has also created quite a stir in the US Brass Band movement. This band has competed at the North American Brass Band Association championships for the past four years, winning the Honors section twice, and most recently placing second in the Championship section in 2006.

[edit] Repertoire

Brass Band repertoire is as wide and as varied as one's imagination. For example, a typical brass band could play items from Bach's Air on a G String, to The Bangles' "Eternal Flame", to brand new compositions commissioned for the National Finals held at the Royal Albert Hall. In recent years these have included commissions by Michael Ball - "...All The Flowers of the Mountain..." - and John Pickard - "Eden", which incorporates so-called "irrational" time signatures (where the denominator is not a power of two), a first for band writing.

There are several notable composers in the brass band world. The current favourite is possibly Philip Sparke, who has written several pieces, including Music of the Spheres.

Other composers include:

Several classical composers have written music specifically for brass band. These include:

[edit] Outdoor banding

Jedforest Instrumental Bandstand, built in 2006, stands in the shadow of Jedburgh Abbey Scottish Borders
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Jedforest Instrumental Bandstand, built in 2006, stands in the shadow of Jedburgh Abbey Scottish Borders

One of the main advantages of the brass band is that it is portable and capable of playing at any time and anywhere, even on the march. Marching and outdoor functions have been the preserve of the brass band for well over a century. Many UK brass bands are closely woven into the local community, performing outdoor civic duties throughout the year.

The bandstand became popular in the Victorian era, typically associated with the British brass band or military band. It is a simple construction which not only creates an ornamental focal point, but also serves acoustic requirements whilst providing shelter for the changeable British weather.

[edit] Band associations

[edit] External links

[edit] Famous bands

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