AMATEUR: Originally it described a player or conductor who did not get paid for their services. However, now it can still be used for those musicians who have their travelling expenses covered by the band, or if playing does not constitute a majority of their overall income.

FRENCH HORN: A brass instrument derived from the hunting horn used in ancient times. Pitched in F, the french horn is characterised by its curved bore. This instrument is no longer used in most brass bands and has been replaced by the Eb horn.

BRASSED OFF: British film set in York during the pit closures. Starring Euan McGregor and Pete Postlethwaite, it was adopted as 'The Brass Band Film', not only because of its truthful representation of social conditions surrounding brass bands, but by highlighting the camaraderie which characterises brass bands.

BRITISH AMATEUR BAND ASSOCIATION Organisation which sought to standardise competition standards and events within the brass band world. For more information click here.

BOOTH, WILLIAM Founder of Salvation army.

BANNISTER, JOHN (1625-1679): Baroque composer. Whilst his father was a wait of the Parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, he was a violinist and flageolet player who turned to composing songs and ayres.

CONGREGATION: The members of a specific church or parish.

DALBY, MARTIN (1942- ): One of the first people to take an interest in contemporary Brass Band Music. His first piece 'music for a brass band', was commissioned by the Scottish Amateur Music Association in 1962 whilst he was a student as the Royal college of Music. Although conservative by today's standards, it does have a contemporary flavour and was regarded in its time as a pioneering piece of work.

FARMER, THOMAS (D.O.B unknown-1688): English composer and violinist in the Kings consort who wrote during the Baroque era. During his early life, he was reported to have been a wait, although this is not formally documented.

GIBBONS, ORLANDO (1553-1625): English composer who's father was a wait for in the town of Oxford. Orlando was especially famous for his renaissance church and organ music.

GRADING: A system of classification used at brass band competitions which divides bands into categories depending on their ability. Introduced originally so that no band would feel demoralised, bands are able to move up and down grades depending on their competition results throughout the year.

GUILDS: A group of professional musicians. In the 14th-16th century, guilds were established as a way of ensuring the standard of musicians and thus, promoting a hierarchy within the music world separating guilded musicians and those unapproved by the guilds. (Source: Grove, 1980)

HOLST, GUSTAV (1874-1934): English composer who was best known for his compositions inspired by English folk song. A trombone player by nature, he was one of the first well-known composers to write music especially for a brass band.

ILES, JOHN HENRY Important figure in the development of competitions, especially the National Brass Band Championships. For more information click here.

INTERPRETATION: The artistic way in which a piece of music is played. For example, a piece may be marked at piano, but it is the conductor or musician's job to decide is this means softly, or timidly.

JACKSON, ETHERBY One of the first organisers of brass band competitions. For more information, click here.

KNELLOR HALL: Military school of music set up 150 years ago to provide army musicians and bandmasters with an exceptional level of musical training.

MISSIONARY: A member of the Church of England who spreads the word of God, either through good work such as building schools or hospitals, or by preaching.

NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIP: Annual competition which takes place at the Albert Hall.   Founded in 1900, it is the ultimate competition in the brass band movement.   For more information, click here.

OWEN, ALEXANDER (1851-1920): Brass band stalwart. After playing the solo cornet in Stalybridge Old Band when he was 16, he turned to conducting and training bands such as Black Dyke Mills. Although he arranged over 100 pieces for brass band, his style is not as popular now as it was in his lifetime. After his death, The National Brass Band Club organised the Alexander Own Memorial Fund to encourage serious study and professional tuition to those under 18, although the organisation quickly went on to fund other new ventures in the world of brass banding.

PITCHING: The particular quality of a sound that fixes its position in the scale. For example, the cornet is pitches at Bb, so when it plays a Bb, it would actually sound like an A on the piano.

SACKBUT: An instrument of the 17th-18th century from which the modern day trombone developed.

SARABANDE: A type of dance from the Baroque era which came from France and Italy. Often appearing beside such dances as the allemande and gigue, it can be recognised by it's time signature of 6/8, 3/8 or 3/4 and the use of delicate melodies.

SQUEEZE BOXES: Slang term for a concertina or accordion.

REPERTOIRE: The Programme of pieces played in a concert or competition.

TONE: The quality of sound that a musical instrument makes. It may also be use to refer to the timbre, that is, the sound of an instrument. Whilst a cornet's tone is rather 'bright', a tuba produces a more more mellow sound.

TRADE UNIONS: Political organisations run by the workers of a factory or business who fight for the rights of employees.

WANDERING MINSTRELS: A professional musician in the 12th-17th century who was completely separate from any church or organisation.

WAIT: A watchman who heralded the approaching of an enemy, or the arrival of someone.