British brass band
There are also hotly-contested annual events held on Whit Friday in the Saddleworth area of Greater Manchester in which hundreds of bands compete.
However, in the days when plain or lacquered brass instruments were not as costly as silver-plated ones, the term silver band implied an ensemble that could afford the latter and were thus perceived to be more successful.
With the cost of each type now being similar, the distinction between brass and silver bands is generally not made.
With the exception of percussion, bass trombone and some older tenor trombone music, all parts are transposing and written in the treble clef with the instrument's lowest open note (B♭ or E♭) notated as middle C. This means that for every valved instrument, from the basses to the soprano cornet, a given note on the stave corresponds to the same valve fingering, enabling players to move more easily between parts.
A major improvement to the old designs was the development of efficient piston valves, which were easier to play and produced a more accurate, consistent sound.
[5] Arguably brass bands were an expression of the local solidarity and aspirations of newly formed or rapidly growing communities.
[5] In 1853 John Jennison, owner of Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester, agreed to stage the first British open brass band championships.
The Brighouse and Rastrick Band, is unique in having operated continually at the highest level without sponsorship, drawing its income from regular concerts, public donations and sales of recordings and merchandise.
[10] There are also many non-contesting or 'community' brass bands in the UK providing entertainment for audiences and enjoyment for musicians of all ages.
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.
Early Australian brass composers include Thomas Bulch, Alex Lithgow and Charles Trussell.
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").
The average banding level is still rising, as the brass movement was only introduced in Belgium some 30 years ago.
[25] This is primarily due to the popularity of wind bands, particularly in Southern Germany, and brass groups (composed of soprano to bass instruments) known as "Posaunenchöre" (trombone choirs) related to churches.
National Brass Band "competitions" took place as part of the German Festival of Wind Music in Würzburg 2007 and 2008, in Duisburg 2010, in Coesfeld 2012 and in Bad Kissingen 2014.
In the years 1870–1900 the Salvation Army spread out their missionary activities in the Netherlands, at first the main port city Amsterdam, and then to the then still important northern seaport of Harlingen, Friesland around the 1900.
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.
The Federation is granted an annual audience with the Crown Prince in order to report to him and receive advice for the future.
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.
There are some semi-professional groups, like the Intrada Brass[27] of Oakville, Ontario and the Weston Silver Band of Toronto.
Mexican banda music has similar origins to the British brass band tradition and was influenced by it in its early days.
The US Open Brass Band Championships are held in early November and serves as the countries leading entertainment competition.
One notable example of this was The Ohio State University Marching Band which formed in 1879 and still performs with only brass and percussion instruments.
The current favourite is possibly Philip Sparke, who has written many pieces, including Music of the Spheres.
Many UK brass bands are closely woven into the local community, performing outdoor civic duties throughout the year.
It is a simple construction which not only creates an ornamental focal point, but also serves acoustic requirements whilst providing shelter from the changeable British weather.
