Bands find brass hard to come by as capital cashes in

The Sheffield Brass Network has been hailed as a vehicle for bands, musicians, volunteers, communities and musical directors to work together for the benefit of all the bands in the area.

Their range of music extends from Beethoven to Beyonce and, although their roots date back to the days when every colliery had a band, they stress they’re “not all about flat caps and whippets any more”.

While Sheffield is still a hot spot for brass bands – 32 or 33 at the last count – there are now hundreds across the country, not thousands.

“I can virtually guarantee that of the 10 bands, not one has a full complement of players,” said Loxley Silver Band’s marketing manager and flugel player, Stuart Young.

“They are always looking for people to fill a spare seat and have to borrow players when they are doing concerts and contests.”