Brass Bands Today

'Mr Undershaft is a gifted trombonist: he shall intone an Olympian diapason to the West Ham Salvation March. (Aside to Undershaft, as he forces the trombone on him) Blow, Machiavelli, blow!'

Today you can find brass bands anywhere in Britain. Far from being the lower class hobby of the 1800s, the brass band movement of today has players and audiences that stretch right across the social classes. Each band has its own unique identity and culture. Whilst some are still connected directly to the workplace and are heavily subsidised by their employers, other are subscription paid and are completely separate from any work or political organisations.

The Brass bands popularity has not been ignored by the media. Whilst 'British Bandsman' was the original ‘bible’ for the brass player, it has now been joined by a host of other publications such as Brass Review and Brass Band World which has articles on new pieces, contests, competition results and new development in the world of the Brass Band. Often these British-born magazines and journals are distributed across the world to places such as The United States and Australia.

Brass Band World Logo

Television and radio are also adhering to the popularity of the brass bands. Radio 2 has a show specially dedicated to them called 'Listen to The Band' whilst bands such as the N.Y.B.B have made regular television appearances on programmes such as 'Blue Peter'. However, the greatest medium has been in the music market itself, where thousands of brass band compact discs are now available from famous bands such as Black Dyke and the Salvation Army. Other bands have also produced their own compact discs which they sell to family and friends of the musicians.

After calls for a formalised training for conductors, the academic world of music finally started to acknowledge the brass band movement and its need for trained musicians. The standard and complexity of music reached a level of such that it was necessary for bandmasters to have a solid musical foundation if they were to maximise the potential of their band.

In 1932 the first bandmasters diploma exam took place in Manchester, funded by the Alexander Owen Memorial Fund. It was not entirely successful and only 1 candidate out of the 7 passed his exam. From these humble beginnings the British Bandmasters College of Music was established. Its main aim was to give band leaders and conductors a standardised exam which would be recognised throughout the whole of Great Britain. In doing so, they hoped the brass band would come to be acknowledged as a serious musical medium. The exam entailed parts such as brass band scoring from a previously arranged piece of music, knowledge on the technical workings of each instrument and rules on harmony and music theory. Today, there are now 14 centres across Great Britain that help support conductors in the training and preparation of hundreds towards their bandmaster exam.

FANFARE TRUMPETERS AT THE EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

The Military has long provided members of brass movement the opportunity to go on and make playing their profession. Knellor Hall, the Military school of music has been established for over 150 years with the purpose to ensure that all musicians and bandmasters throughout the army are trained to an exceptional standard.

Not only do military brass bands in their official capacity at political and national commemorations, but often perform to the public such as The Edinburgh Tattoo held each year beside Edinburgh Castle.

It's links with the brass movement are unofficial, but well grounded. Recruitment officers will attend the competition circuit on the lookout for any young players who have the potential to be band musicians and often the band movement have benefited from the training of many musician and bandmasters as they often go on to join brass bands after retiring from the army.

In 1951 Dame Ruth Railton, the founder of the National Youth Orchestra held a meeting with well-know brass bander to discuss the involvement of children in the brass band movement. From this discussion, the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (N.Y.B.B) was formed

The 1st Residential course took place in the Easter of 1952 and was open to all those 12-18 years old. Taking place in Bradford due to Local Authorities grants, in its early days, the organisation had little funding and tutors and house staff were all volunteers.

Its main aim is to provide talented teenagers with the musical opportunities they would not otherwise have. As well as specialist section teachers, each year the band is lead by a ‘celebrity’ conductor which in the past has included Leopard Davis and Eric Ball.

NYBB OF GREAT BRITAIN TODAY

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From the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain sprung the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) in 1958. Supported in its early days by the Scottish Amateur Music Association (SAMA), the NYBBS is now well established and meets once a year for a week long intensive course with Nigel Boddice conducting, who is also Principal Trumpet player in the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

One of their biggest contributions has been the commissioning of major works from established composers through funding, mainly from the Scottish Arts Council. So impressive are these pieces that many have went on to be test pieces at the National Brass Band Championships.