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A brass band is a musical group consisting mostly of brass instruments, often with a percussion section. In some traditions other types of instruments like a clarinet or saxophones may be added, but other traditions do not accept woodwinds as part of a brass band.
While brass insturments had long been used together in various contexts, the first modern brass bands were developed early in the 19th century in Prussia, when all military and government bands were issued the new technology of rotary valve instruments and instructed to use standard tuning. This allowed musicians to much more easily play with other bands and for smaller bands to be combined into large bands.
Brass bands in the British tradition are limited to cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, tubas (known as basses in brass bands), and percussion; but not trumpets or french horns, since they are orchestral and Concert band instruments.
Most bands compete against each other in contests and are graded according to their results from Championship Section (being the highest) to 4th Section, with a separate Youth Section (usually up to and including 19 years of age). The grading of a band can also be indicative of the commitment required, be it a once a week engagement for 4th Section, or 3 or more times a week for the Championship Section bands.
Competitions among bands usually consist of a performance of at least one of the following: a test piece (which may be set by the contest organisers or chosen by the band), a march, a hymn, or an entertainment selection. In British National Championships, only one - usually newly written - test piece will be performed by all bands. The most important contests are the British Open, the Nationals and the All English Masters (held annually in Cambridge).
Marches performed in contests are not usually street marches, since contest marches are usually too difficult for use on the road and are usually played at a faster tempo. Contest marches are a sub-genre in their own right. The most famous march contest is the annual Whit Friday march held in the villages of the Saddleworth and Tameside areas to the north and east of Manchester.
The instrumentation used in brass bands is:
The brass band used in the Salvation Army is very close to that of competing bands, save that there is no 3rd cornet part and some parts (solo horn, 1st trombone) may use more than one player.
With the exception of the bass trombone and percussion, all parts are transposing and are written in the treble clef.
Many of the UK's bands originated as works bands or bands sponsored (and long identified with) various industrial concerns and coal mines. Of the leading bands, the Black Dyke Band was sponsored by a cotton mill, the Yorkshire Building Society band was sponsored by that Building Society and formerly by the Hammond Sauce Works, the Foden and Fairey bands by the respective truck and aircraft manufacturers, and the Grimethorpe Colliery was composed of miners and members of the associated coalfield community. With the decline of these industries the links between bands and their origins were dissolved, with membership now drawn from all industries and parts of the community.
The USA derivation of a brass band is notably varied from the English standard, in that sousaphones, saxophones, flutes and other instruments are included, and is more suited for outdoor marching or in sports stadiums. However brass bands in the British tradition are becoming more popular through the efforts of the National Association of Brass Bands.
Brass bands were very popular throughout the United States in the late 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. Composers like John Philip Sousa and Karl King wrote many pieces for them. Well known bands of viruoso musicians toured widely, and most towns had their own bands that put on weekend music concerts. Other groups, ranging from Benevolent societies to large factories, would often have a band.
The vibrant brass band tradition in New Orleans, Louisiana was key in the formation of jazz around the start of the 20th century. Brass bands remain a part of many ceremonies and celebrations (including funerals) in the city, some playing not only marching band music and jazz, but funk music and hip hop influenced music as well.
The Australian derivation of a brass band is the same as that of the English brass band, i.e. standard instrumentation with no woodwind. Contesting bands in Australia are graded from A Grade to D Grade, and in past years, a separate Country or E Grade was also used. National Contests are held each year at Easter, with the location moving from state to state. Each state also conducts their own championships. National and state contests are generally of the same format: a set test piece for each grade, a hymn, an own choice piece (usually of the same standard as the test), and a street march. Smaller regional contests often replace the major works with an own choice concert program.
There is an existing - though small - Brass Band movement, with more than twenty competing bands and a number of non-contestants (see below). These bands have their biggest venue each year on St. Patrick's Day.
A small number of non contesting brass bands still exist, however due to the difficulties of recruiting players, these bands tend to change to a "Concert Band" format, which includes woodwind, trumpets and other instrumentation.
The Salvation Army also has a large number of brass bands for use in their services, however, these bands do not participate in competition.
Brass bands long enjoyed popularity in many parts of Latin America as well. In 19th century Mexico very large bands were formed, such as that of composer Juventino Rosas. In parts of Mexico brass band concerts remain a popular entertainment.
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