BRITISH BRASS BANDS

The brass band was a tradition originating from unconnected circumstances and events. Brass bands in Britain can trace their roots to the late 1700s when brass instruments first appeared in orchestras. There had long been a tradition of establishing small local community bands around the country, originally as an eclectic group including not just brass but woodwind, strings and percussion instruments too.

Towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the invention of the valve revolutionised brass instruments and the origins can possibly be associated with the military marching bands. In civilian life many ex-soldiers still wanted to play their instruments, so bands were formed with the players continuing the tradition of wearing brightly coloured military-style uniforms.

The brass band as we know it today dates to the early nineteenth century. The Industrial Revolution gave rise to upheaval and changes within society - from both an economic and political viewpoint. Urban areas became more populated and living standards began to rise. People gradually lost the opportunity to be involved in traditional rural entertainment and pursuits, so they turned their hands to brass bands. Many owners of local companies like coalfields and mills began to sponsor and finance company-based bands; apart from the musical aspect, the sponsors hoped this would decrease political unrest which frequently absorbed the energies of their workers' leisure time.

By 1860 there were in excess of 750 brass bands across England and today many current bands can trace their origins to the 1800s. The brass bands were made up of non-professional musicians, most of whom were employed by the sponsoring company or their family members.

The popularity of brass bands grew until the First World War when they obviously declined due to the mass enlistment into the armed forces. Subsequent financial restraints meant that the brass bands movement was no longer a local way of life, although some bands, particularly in the traditional areas of the country, thrived and still exist.

A brass band basically comprises horns, cornets, trombones and trumpets as its main instruments; some of these would have been used previouly in village, church and military bands. Most brass bands also included a percussion section with snare drums, base drums and cymbals. 

The bands generally consisted of about twenty-eight players, although in smaller communities, the number would be less. 

The popularity of brass bands is generally associated with the Victorian era. The bands were often seen marching in all their splendour, preceding sporting events or official occasions; and they entertained the general public on Sunday afternoons at the local bandstand. 

The first “real” brass band is believed to have been established in 1819 in Yorkshire.

The purpose of having a brass band was to create a sense of community during a period of huge change from rural to urban living. It was seen as a matter of civic pride for local communities to have their own brass band.

Bands were considered a cultural symbol of the working class; they were incredibly popular so thousands of people were joining bands each year. They became ambassadors for their sponsors, particularly in the coal, iron and steel and boot and shoe industries.

Since local bands existed in virtually every community, brass band competitions evolved. In 1853. The first brass band championship was held at Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester, when over 16,000 people attended! This competition continued well into the latter part of the twentieth century. By the 1890s there were around 5,000 brass bands in the country competing in local, regional and national contests.

The Salvation Army bands have existed alongside the brass band movement since the early 1870s. These bands range from small citadel bands to the staff bands which include the organisation's best bandsmen in the area. Their instruments were virtually identical to the brass bands with a couple of exceptions. The Salvation Army bands can be seen in most areas of the country.

Bandstands were designed to accommodate brass bands performing open-air concerts in a park, gardens or on a pier. They are simple structures usually circular or semi-circular in shape, designed to achieve the best acoustics. They also served as an ornamental focal point.

The parks and recreation gardens where most bandstands are located evolved during the Industrial Revolution when local authorities increased open spaces where the general public could enjoy their leisure time. The first bandstand in Britain was in South Kensington, London built for the Royal Horticultural Society in 1861. By the end of the nineteenth century bandstands had become a necessity in virtually every park.

During the Second World War, the iron railings and other metal fittings were removed from many bandstands; they were melted down and transformed into weapons and artillery. This meant that some bandstands fell into disrepair as they were no longer suitable for use.

More than half the bandstands constructed in parks have been demolished but the remaining Victorian bandstands are still a feature in parks and open spaces today, still providing venues for local concerts.

The brass band archive is held at the University of Huddersfield and is the largest archive dedicated to preserving the brass band heritage.

Its records cover over a century of British brass band history. The collection includes information about the relationship between bands and industry, band contests, collections of photographs, uniforms and other ephemera. The library houses brass band publications and an extensive collection of music scores.

The archive material has been arranged into various sections and relates to both bands and individual bandsmen.

Records and archive material relating to specific bands and their clubs can usually be found in local record offices and there is a useful research guide - Researching the History of Brass Bands at:

http://www.ibew.org.uk/GH063-researchguide.pdf