Tadley Concert Brass

Here is a little bit of information about Brass Bands in general.

Research on the origins of the Brass Band as it is known today is contradictory, but as far as I can tell, origins are from around the time of the Industrial Revolution in the mid 1800’s.

Life was focused on hard work and long shifts in factories with unsanitary and unsatisfactory home lives (for what they were). The main thing that people did in their leisure time was to drink. This did not bear well with their employers,
as their work output was not up to the required standard when they went to work the next day. Employers of the time realised that their workers needed something else to occupy themselves so they sponsored bands made up of the workers. This gave the workers a sense of community and a worthwhile pursuit with which to entertain their friends and fellow workers.

The Yarm band played at the opening of the Stockton to Darlington railway line in 1829 which was one of the first
recorded appearances of a Brass Band at a major ceremony.

The first known band contest took place in 1845 with a prize of £12. By 1900 the prize money could be as high as £100 (which was a lot of money then). As a contrast, If we had won the fourth section regionals in 2006, we would have won £50.

Bands today are generally town or community bands, who are normally funded by their members and any engagement revenue or donations received. However, there are still sponsored bands within the UK. Tadley Concert Brass is not sponsored, and relies on its members and supporters for funding.

Bands are classed in “Sections”. (This doesn’t mean we are about to be sectioned.). This is a bit like football team divisions. There are five Sections, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, and Championship. The Championship section contains bands
such as Brighouse and Rastrick and Grimethorpe Colliery Bands. Our Band is presently in the 4th Section. Presently, Tadley Concert Brass competes at one contest per year, and we have never disgraced ourselves! Competing gives the opportunity to work on one set piece and get our standard up to the best we can. The contest is usually in March, and we start practicing the test piece after the previous year’s Christmas engagements.

As well as contesting, Brass Bands play at concerts, Fetes, and sometimes in the local park in the Bandstand!!