Brass British Brass Bands

[jbtsax]

I had never heard brass band music until I was invited to a concert by the Utah Premiere Brass a few years back. It is one of the few brass bands in the United States and was started by a couple from the U.K. Alan Boyer and his wife Ann who moved to Utah.

With lots of local talent Alan quickly created a first rate group with the ability to perform some of the genre's most demanding literature. Ann plays solo chair cornet and has the most beautiful sound I have ever heard on that instrument. Alan is a first rate conductor and he has a great rapport with the audience.

I am starting this thread to see if there are any other fans of this type of music. Of all the group's recordings I have, the Grimethorpe Colliery is my favorite.

 

[Jeanette]

There is a lovely outside venue near us that has a brass band on from time to time, you have spurred me on to go next year.

Grimethorpe aren't playing there next year but they are at the RNCM end of Jan

Engagements 2016

Jx

 

[Sue]

Ooh I love a brass band and Grimethorpe are wonderful to see live. We were at a Christmas event at Beamish museum (Home - Beamish) last night and a quartet from the North East Brass Ensemble were playing (cornet, flugel horn, horn and euphonium). The playing was sublime. Can't beat a rousing brass band on certain occasions.

 

[0483]

My father was born in Queensbury so I grew up with the sound of Black Dyke, I went to see them in concert about a year ago and among other things they performed Respighi's The Pines of Rome, very moving.

 

[aldevis]

Most of the UK top session people came from brass bands.

The trick is easy: play in tune with a beautiful sound.

 

[Nick Wyver]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of brass bands but they can, on occasion, be completely sublime.

They have been used to lend a nostalgic air to many songs such as this (Grimethorpe again):

Damn. That always brings tears to my eyes.

 

[jbtsax]

Most of the UK top session people came from brass bands.

The trick is easy: play in tune with a beautiful sound.

Like a woodwind. 😉

 

[Colin the Bear]

You seen that old film "Brassed off"?

View: https://youtu.be/C8uoY9e5YVY

 

[jbtsax]

You seen that old film "Brassed off"?

View: https://youtu.be/C8uoY9e5YVY

I loved every bit of it except the old man's conducting. It was very inauthentic---to say the least. Didn't Grimethorpe do the sound track? I had forgotten about "Concerto de Orange Juice" till you reminded me.

 

[aldevis]

I seem to remember that the conductor attitude makes sense with the story.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of brass bands but they can, on occasion, be completely sublime.

They have been used to lend a nostalgic air to many songs such as this (Grimethorpe again):

Damn. That always brings tears to my eyes.

And me Nick. Must dig out that album it's a corker. Try to explain Silly mid-on To JBT if you can.

 

[Jeanette]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of brass bands but they can, on occasion, be completely sublime.

They have been used to lend a nostalgic air to many songs such as this (Grimethorpe again):

Damn. That always brings tears to my eyes.

Not heard that before, thank you 🙂

Jx

 

[jbtsax]

Holst is one of my favorite British composers, and this perhaps is my favorite work, the March from A Moorside Suite.

 

[kevgermany]

Damn. That always brings tears to my eyes.

First time I've heard it. Had the same effect.