A brief overview - 2 minute read
Instruments (See Instruments of a brass band for more information)
A brass band is a musical ensemble featuring specific brass instruments and percussion (that's me!). There is a standardised range of brass instruments, which include cornets, tenor horns, baritone horns, trombones, euphoniums, and basses. Usually, a typical percussion section will have instruments such as the drum kit, glockenspiel or timpani.
Origins
Brass bands started emerging in the early 19th century, mainly as a response to industrialisation. Most of the instruments used in British brass bands had been in use for some time in village, church and military bands, but the industrial revolution meant that they were much easier to mass produce, and more widely affordable. Also, it created a large working-class population, who adopted brass banding as a popular passtime; the brass band had fully established its self by the 1850s.
Contesting
By the late 1850s, many bands were works bands or sponsored by industrial concerns (such as many famous colliery bands.) This led to healthy rivalries which in turn led to contesting being fully established. Today, contesting is still extremely popular, with bands organized into five sections (much like a football league) – Championship section, 1st section, 2nd section, 3rd section and 4th section. Contests are held throughout the year at local, regional, and national levels, and at the end of each year there are promotions and relegations.
Repertoire
There is loads of great music around for brass bands. Composers and arrangers like Alan Fernie, Phillip Sparke or Paul Lovatt-Cooper write almost exclusively for brass bands, but other really well known composers like Elgar and Holst have written pieces specifically for the brass band too. Historically, brass bands are perhaps best associated with traditional hymn music and marches, but today the repertoire is so diverse it covers a vast spectrum - from contemporary pop, classic rock, or trad jazz, to 16th century baroque pieces, world music or film music!
Some Famous Bands
A few really famous bands in the banding world (apart from Stape Silver obviously!) are Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Brighouse and Rastrick Band, and Black Dyke Band, but there are loads. I'd really suggest listening to as many bands and great players as possible if you want to fully appreciate the sound of a brass band.