A podcast where we explore the rich culture and history of the brass banding world. Each episode myself and a guest will delve into a topic from the brass band past - contests, conductors, clothing and everything in between.
Episodes
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
In this episode I chat to returning guest Gavin Holman about his research into the first recorded brass band contests and the most well documented event - Burton Constable. We talk instrumentation, perverse serpents, cutting reviews, issuing challenges and clergy adjudicators.
the Internet Bandsman's Everything Within
https://www.brassbandresults.co.uk/
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
In this episode I chat to Besses player and researcher Steve Hughes about the band performing to Princes and Presidents on their groundbreaking French tour of 1905.
History of Besses o' th' Barn Facebook group
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
In this episode I chat to banding icon Ray Farr about his research into the Distin Family and their extraodinary impact on the beginnings of the brass band movement. We discuss the groups origins, tenor horn vs. alto saxhorn, missing testpieces and the wonderful array of instruments being performed at the time.
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
In this episode I chat to researcher and relative of Cora Youngblood Corson, James P Gregory Jnr about her trailblazing and complex life and his ongoing discoveries into her significance in opening doors for women brass musicians. We discuss her enterprising beginnings in Anadarko, her rise to fame, jewel encrusted Euphoniums and much more.
The Legend of Cora Youngblood Corson - Youtube Presentation
International Tuba Euphonium Association
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band
https://fanlist.com/brassevolution
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
In this episode I chat to David Hirst about the origins of the probably the most famous brass band in the world - Black Dyke. We discuss the early contests, instrumentation, local rivalries and some of the legends of the Queensbury band in the Victorian era.
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
In this episode I chat to Band Blasts from the Past blogger and postcard collector Jeremy de Korte about his own collection, Australian banding and how these cards and their messages can help us uncover the banding past.
Trove - National Library of Australia and partners
This episode mentions Aboriginal Mission Bands. This podcast acknowledges First Australian peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea, and culture. Brass Evolution pays respects to the resilience and strength of Ancestors and Elders past, present, and emerging and extends that respect to all First Australian peoples.
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
The Wizard & The Typhoon website
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
This episode I chat to Director of Percussion at the RNCM Simone Rebello about the history of percussion in UK brass bands. We talk about the journey from solitary timekeeper to incredible virtuoso soloists and vast sections, performing on a wonderful variety of instruments, and the compositions that propelled percussion forward.
Simone Rebello website
If you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBox
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band
Salute to Youth - Gilbert Vinter performed by the CWS Manchester Band
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
This episode I chat to Dr Alex Parker and Eleanor McKenzie from Brass Bands England and Heritage Quay about all things Brass Band Archive. We talk about moving 6 transit vans worth of history, problematic silverware, brass band traffic jams and the mystery of the wax cylinders.
The Brass Band Archive
Brass Band Archive Blog
Archive Catalogue Online
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
In this episode I chat to to the incredible Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey about her research into women brass musicians in American music, routes into the profession, the changing political and social settings, all female bands and their inspiring leaders including Helen May Butler and Cora Youngblood Corson.
Joanna Ross Hersey website
Cora Youngblood Corson
Composer Diversity Database
Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Athena Brass Band
If you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBox
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
In this episode I'm chatting with Gavin Dixon about his research into the G Trombone, discussing its origins, instrument manufacture in the UK and beyond aswell traditionalists and revivalists.
Gavin Dixon website
The Horniman Museum
Arnold Myers
St. Cecilia's Hall
Every episode a portion of the ad revenue is donated to an organisation chosen by our guest - this week its the Musicians Benevolent Fund
If you like the podcast you can support it by leaving a tip or buying a perk - including asking my next guest a question or getting a shoutout via PodInBox
Podcast music is Mephistopheles performed by the Illinois Brass Band