The future of brass bands

Following on from last week’s profile of Mike Kilroy, Hammonds Saltaire Band’s principal euphonium reveals his views on the contemporary brass band scene and its future in the UK

Brass Bands have a fantastic heritage and history. In the mid-1840s, when valved brass instruments first became widely available, some industrialists seized the opportunity to create an outlet for workers who, to their mind, either drank to excess or became politically active. In an effort to develop a sense of belonging and community, and to help combat the damaging effects of this costly social breakdown, many company-sponsored brass bands were formed.
Their popularity and success was enormous and, very quickly, brass bands appeared in all areas of society. Bands, sponsored by the local works or community, became a source of huge pride for the people they represented. Organised contests soon followed and the first Belle Vue Brass Band Championship (now the British Open) was held on 5 September 1853. By 1900, as many as 20,000 brass bands existed across the UK.

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