Brass Bands on the Record

President of the Scottish Brass Band Association, Carrie Boax, joins British Bandsman editor, Mark Good. Carrie discusses the challenges facing bands in Scotland and explains why she remains bullish about the future. She also reflects on her own banding roots and her surprise at her journey to the upper echelons of a brass band association with a very proud history indeed. But first: how does Carr...

Celebrated conductor, Martyn Brabbins, has enjoyed a fast-paced international career, taking to the stage with many of the world’s finest ensembles but throughout his successes, he’s never forgotten his years in the brass band world which included early experiences at the Towcester Studio Band in Northamptonshire. From euphonium lessons with Bert Sullivan to beating Trevor Groom in a solo competit...

Black Dyke Band's director of music, Professor Nicholas Childs, chats to British Bandsman editor Mark Good about Black Dyke’s first virtual brass day, with lots of fun in store and a chance to hear from some banding legends. He also looks back, reflecting on some of his favourite contest victories – and a couple that got away. Nick lifts the lid on some fascinating rules and traditions that come w...

Mark Good, editor of British Bandsman, and Iwan Fox, editor of 4barsrest, reflect on the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world of brass bands and consider how the future might look in the medium term and beyond. From online banding to new music and the composers writing it, from contests big and small to seeking out audiences, the pair discuss the current climate and the need for a...

British Bandsman editor Mark Good hears from one of the iconic figures in the brass band world, Dick the Stick, Richard Evans as he continues to promote his book, Richard Evans: still beating. The celebrated conductor reflects on a life in brass bands, from contest successes like his first British Open win 45 years ago, to his love of Brass in Concert – and those swagger-filled marches. Richard al...

Celebrated cornetist, conductor and educator Chris Bradley joins Mark Good as he prepares to release a new album of music, all recorded at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more than 15 years, the newly-crowned Besson artist has impressed audiences far and wide with his performances as principal cornet player with Whitburn Band, enjoying no shortage of success – but his links with the band go...

After a delay brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Foden's Band's principal euphonium player Gary Curtin is finally celebrating the launch of his solo album, Éire Time, which features some stunning playing from soloist and band. Gary chats about the new release and speaks about what life has been like over the past few months, from embracing technology to welcoming a very special addition to th...

Globetrotting euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead discusses the importance of people continuing to play and maintain hope during the ongoing pandemic. He also reflects on his early musical life, from being handed a cornet in the Salvation Army, telling his careers advisor at school he wanted to play the euphonium and glory years at Desford Colliery Band. Steven examines the standard of euphonium playin...

Look around the international banding community and you’ll see huge variations in what bands are and aren’tallowed to do as they follow guidance relating to the COVID-19 pandemic from their respective governments. Even across the UK, the picture is pretty mixed. There’s a feeling among some bands in England of taking one step forward and two steps back. Some had started to rehearse in bigger numbe...

From conducting to the cobbles of Coronation Street and appearing in theatre, actor and musician Sarah Groarke-Booth has enjoyed a diverse and fascinating career. Since taking over at Rainford Band almost a year ago, she has enjoyed a fantastic start, including a podium place at the North West Regionals. Sarah reflects on her conducting career, discusses treating a score like a script and charts h...

Stein Skorpholm will be a familiar face to many as a host of the European Brass Band Championship. In fact, he also fronts the Norwegian Nationals and a wide range of other musical and cultural events, so he’s someone with his finger on the pulse of all things banding in Norway. Stein discusses being practically born into banding, his early musical experiences and the transformative effect of hear...

Since returning to Tredegar Town Band in 2008, Ian has guided the Welsh band to new heights, enjoying considerable contesting success. Under Ian, Tredegar hasn’t been afraid to think outside the box, from its involvement in the ballet Dark Arteries to recording for TV and film. From getting the thumbs up on Britain’s Got Talent to having lunch with actor Bill Nighy, Ian shares some of his fond mem...

Still in his mid-twenties, Lode Violet has been around for some time; in fact, he’s already held the principal cornet chair in Brass Band Willebroek for around nine years.   From studying with his dad to performing at the British Open, the holiday in France that ignited his desire to compose and his Piece of the Podcast, Lode provides a fascinating glimpse into his musical life. Lode also lifts th...

Over the past 50 years, the composer Edward Gregson has made a huge contribution to the brass band repertoire. Although his works for band only account for around 25 per cent of his compositions, it’s a world about which Edward has always been very passionate. Edward also feels the time has come for brass bands to think seriously about what they want to be. Coming up, he chats about what he calls...

She might only be in her early 20s but Siobhan Bates has already established herself with one of the most famous names in banding, and is celebrating four years in the principal horn seat at Black Dyke. From her highlights with Dyke to winning the BrassPass Young Brass Award after nearly missing out and why she stuck with the tenor horn despite pressure to move elsewhere, you’ll hear it all in thi...

Who’d be an adjudicator? It’s a demanding and some might say, thankless task, but it’s a vital role. An adjudicator’s decisions can bring elation or desolation and a judge’s comments can make or break someone’s confidence. Anne Crookston is relishing her role as an adjudicator, in normal times regularly travelling far and wide to run the rule over some of the best bands around. She has the experie...

Tuba virtuoso Ross Knight chats to British Bandsman editor Mark Good about life with the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande and how the orchestra is adapting to life in lockdown. Ross, a former winner of the former BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award, now run by BrassPass, reflects on how his grounding in brass bands has helped shape the musician he has become. He discusses life with the Carnoustie and Dist...

British Bandsman editor Mark Good hears from renowned conductor Russell Gray. From growing up in the once-famous Clydebank Burgh Band to performing with Black Dyke and conducting bands to victory all over the world, Russell enjoys a glowing reputation as a performer and conductor. Russell discusses his new conducting manual, The Messanoic Method, and the need to drive up standards in brass band co...

British Bandsman editor Mark Good hears from Sandy Smith following Sandy's appointment to the panel which selects music for the Regionals and National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Sandy speaks candidly about 'lost' test-pieces, works which have fallen off the radar of contest organisers - and the need for them to return. With the dust having settled on the 2020 Regionals, Sandy refle...