Brass band (British style)
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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. The Stalybridge Old Band (still in existence) was formed in 1809 and was perhaps the first civilian brass band in the world. Bands using the British instrumentation are the most common[citation needed] form of brass band in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and are also widespread in continental Europe, Japan 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. In the days when 'brass' instruments were not as costly as silver plated ones, the term 'silver band' implied a band that could afford the latter and thus were a more successful band. Now, however, the costs are similar and the distinction between brass and silver bands is generally not made.
Instrumentation
The standard instrumentation used in British brass bands is as follows:
- Cornet in E♭ (called a soprano cornet)
- Cornets in B♭ (Front row: principal (×1), solo (×3), Back row: repiano (×1), 2nd (×2), 3rd (×2))
- Flugelhorn in B♭
- Tenor Horns (sometimes called Alto Horn in the United States and Germany) in E♭ (solo, 1st, 2nd)
- Baritones (Treble Clef B♭) (1st, 2nd)
- Tenor Trombones (Treble Clef B♭, in older scores Tenor Clef) (1st, 2nd)
- Bass Trombone (Bass Clef)
- Euphoniums (Treble Clef B♭) (×2)
- E♭ Basses (Treble Clef E♭) (×2)
- B♭ Basses (Treble Clef B♭) (×2)
- Percussion (×2/3/4)
The above totals 27 to 29 players, although in practice a band often has fewer than this. Spare seats may be filled for concerts and contests by players brought in from other bands, commonly known as deputising players or deps.
United Kingdom
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History
Although most of the instruments used by British brass bands had existed and had been used together for some time they only became a mass activity in the 1840s and 1850s out of village, church and military bands. Brass bands were a response to the process of industrialisation, which produced a large working class population, technological advancements, including more efficient piston valve instruments which were easier to play and more accurate, and mass production that could quickly produce and distribute the instruments. Arguably brass bands were an expression of the local solidarity and aspirations of newly formed or rapidly growing communities. This was particularly expressed in the rapid growth and organisation of bands, clearly seen in the creation of brass band competitions by the late 1850s. In 1853 John Jennison, the owner of Belle Vue agreed to stage the first British open brass band championships in the gardens. The event, attended by a crowd of over 16,000, was the first of what became an annual event until 1981. Brass bands probably reached their peak of popularity in the early decades of the twentieth century, when, it has been estimated there were over 20,000 brass band instrumentalists in the country.
Many of the UK's bands originated as works bands or bands sponsored (and long identified with) various industrial concerns and particularly coal mines, like the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The Black Dyke Mills Band was sponsored by a wool mill, the Yorkshire Imperial Band were originally the Yorkshire Copperworks Band, the Hammonds Saltaire Band was sponsored until 2004 by the Yorkshire Building Society (and previously the Hammond Sauce Works), and the Foden's, Fairey and Leyland Bands by the respective truck, aircraft and vehicle manufacturers. One of the reasons for the sponsing was to keep the workers from organizing in radical groups. With the decline of these industries several bands have dissolved and others now draw their membership from all industries and parts of the community. The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band have operated continually at the highest level without the aid of sponsorship; the band makes money from their regular concerts, by selling recordings, other merchandise and from public donations.
The leading bands in Wales are the Cory Band, Tredegar, and Tongwynlais Temperance Band. The leading bands in Scotland are the Scottish Co-op Band (formally CWS Glasgow), Whitburn Band, and the Kirkintilloch Band. All these bands compete at the highest level in the banding movement.
There is also a depth of non-contesting "community" brass bands in the UK providing entertainment for audiences and enjoyment for musicians of all ages. A typical community brass band is West Chiltington Silver Band in Sussex, near the south coast of England.
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 similar. 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.
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 Championship. 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 Royal 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.
Salvation Army brass bands
Mainly based in the UK, Salvation Army brass bands have run parallel to the main brass band movement since the 1870s. Bands range from small church bands to staff bands composed 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 is dropped and the remainder of the row is made up of parts designated 1st and 2nd (two players each) rather than 2nd and 3rd; and that some major pieces have a split first trombone part, the lower part usually cued elsewhere in the band.
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 National Contests are held each year at Easter, with the location moving from state to state. The current champions are Gunnedah Shire Brass for both the open and junior categories. 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, a stage march (march or concert march performed on the stage without marching) and a light entertainment concert program. Smaller regional contests often replace the major works with an own choice concert program.
Among the country's most famous brass band identities have been conductor and composer Percy Code; and David King and Frank Wright who made their mark in Britain. In later years, leading composers have included Brenton Broadstock (Winds of Change, Rutherford Variations, Valiant Take All My Sins Away and many more), Barrie Gott (Mumbo Jumbo, Gospel Train, Glasshouse Sketches) and Joe Cook (Taskforce, Keighley Moor)which have been published by Australian company Muso's Media founded and managed by Chris Earl.
Earl also published Australia's Band World magazine for 15 years between 1993 and 2008. The magazine was to be the second-longest in duration of any Australian band journal in the last 150 years. His company has also been recording the National championships on CD since 1998.
Europe
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, 2006 and 2007. 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 6 bands competing in Championship section. These are: Brass Band Willebroek,Brass Band Buizingen, Metropole Brass Band, Festival Brass Band, Kortrijk Brass Band, and De Noord-Limburgse Brassband.
Other Belgian bands include: Brass Band Leieland, Brass Band Zele, Brass Band Heist, Brass Band Province de Liège and many more.
Some of the brass bands in Belgium are primarily based around recreational music, do not conform to British brass band instrumentation, and therefore do not compete.
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.
The first National Brass Band "competition" took place as part of the German Festival of Wind Music in Würzburg, from 18 - 20 May 2007.
Ireland
Brass bands in Ireland can primarily trace their origins to the past influence of British Army bands during the period between 1801 and 1922. As well as military bands however, community led groups were also in existence around this time. While concert bands are more prevalent today, possibly due to the association of brass bands with British rule, brass bands are still popular, especially on the east coast. Dungarvan, Arklow and Drogheda are all examples of towns with brass bands of note. In the north of the country, the Brass Band League (NI) currently has 26 members.
Brass competitions take place annually, both regionally and nationally.
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.
North and South America
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.