Brass band adjudicators have possibly the most thankless job in the world and I understand why they tread the line when giving their pre-results speech. But!…wouldn’t it be wonderful if they said what they really thought? Tension mounts as the contest results are announced… “And in third place with 190 points is the band […]
I have produced the cartoons for the monthly satirical article ‘And Another Thing’ in Brass band World magazine for many years, working with several talented scribes who produced the marvelous words. John Barber is the most recent contributor and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him as he has produced some of […]
Guest post by John Barber – Courtesy of Brass Band World Magazine – ‘Probably the best warm up in the world!’ Good evening Sir and welcome to the Carlsberg Band room. I trust our chauffer Nigel arrived on time and your ride was suitably comfortable? Mr. Mansell is usually very punctual. We had the Champagne […]
I have recently made the decision to go back to my flugelhorn roots. I spent 13 years on this magical instrument in Tredegar back in the late 80’s and 90’s and had a shorter 3-year stint at Newbridge 2004-2007. I didn’t play anything from 2007 through to 2015 and then went back to banding with […]
10 quick-fire quiz questions to test your brass band knowledge (Answers at the foot of the page) Where would you find the Spanish Hall? A Disney Fantasy arranged by Goff Richards contains 10 songs – how many can you name (point for each correct answer)? What solo instrument is unusually doubled up in Phillip Sparkes […]
It’s the ambition of most players and conductors to make a CD at some point in their career. To be immortalized on a lump of plastic. For those of you who have yet to experience the weird process of recording your band on Vinyl or C.D here’s a snapshot of what you are letting […]
I got my cartooning break in Brass Band World back in 2002 when the Editor and founder, the late Bob Mulholland kindly offered me the cartoon spot. It was the result of me reading an article in BBW about an artistic work entitled ‘Breathless’ by Cornelia Parker that was on permanent display in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. […]
It always amazes me how much it costs to run a brass band and how little each player actually contributes in terms of membership fees. I can hear the creaking of raised eyebrows as I write! I was recently at the band AGM and the subject of band contributions came up. There was a proposal […]
Guestpost by John Barber – Courtesy of Brass Band World Magazine Out of this World Sales Pitch at a Brass Band competition… Good afternoon Madam, I hope you’re enjoying the band competition today? How may I help you? As you can see we have a full specialised range of instruments and accessories here today amongst […]
Most of you have heard about the circle of fifths. Some will have an in depth knowledge and then there are others like me who are clueless. I saw this video by Michael New which explains quickly and easily the basis of the circle of fifths in a step by step guide. He shows how […]