Stalybridge Old Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

An August treat from the world’s oldest brass band

It has been a long time since Stalybridge Old Band darkened the doorstep of Boarshurst Band Club. Over three years, in the words of Musical Director, David Ashworth. The last time your reviewer saw the world’s oldest brass band, was at Stalybridge Civic Hall in December 2015. This was weeks before the Sunday Brass concert reviews appeared on East of the M60. At that gig, they were supported by The Yew Tree Singers.

Almost two years on, without Jean Depledge’s choral group, yours truly was glad to see Stalybridge Old Band in live form. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Stalybridge Old Band proved just that on Sunday night.

Brass Band Music Appreciation for Beginners #1: Types of Music

Recommended hymns, marches, overtures, and the like for new listeners

Realised the joys of listening to brass band music? Yet to see your first brass band concert? This piece includes a selection of essential brass band pieces for the absolute beginner.

For almost two years, the creator of East of the M60 has reviewed the brass band concerts at the Boarshurst Band Club. It is a fantastic, intimate venue for brass band concerts, and a good environment for absolute beginners as well as hardcore enthusiasts. A wealth of local and not-so-local brass bands have made their journey to the Greenfield venue on most Sundays.

Slaithwaite Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (July 2017)

A sweet sixteen pieces from Slawit on a sunny Sunday

Slaithwaite, Slawit or Slathwaite: if you’re familiar at all with the Colne Valley villages, you would know that the first spelling is correct, though the place is not pronounced as seen. It is pronounced in the same way as the third spelling (which is incorrect in English, though probably correct in Pitman’s Initial Teaching Alphabet). The second is another spelling. Before we begin, we’re not here to discuss the spellings and pronunciations of Slaithwaite. Instead, we shall concentrate on the band’s splendid concert, which took place at the Boarshurst Band Club on the 16 July 2017.

Glossop Old Band (Summer 2017): Summer Brass at Boarshurst Band Club

How The Marcus and Duncan Show made for a smashing concert

As with the previous gigs at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club, Glossop Old Band gave us another great performance. Putting it briefly, it was a tight performance, suitable for brass banding aficionados and anyone new to the joys of brass band concerts.

Music from the Big Stage: Boarshurst Silver Band’s Broadway Spectacular

Showstopping performance made for a memorable night

The 02 July finished with a most memorable concert from Boarshurst Silver Band. Repeating the success of last year’s Hollywood themed summer concert, it was another multimedia experience. Coupled with a virtuoso performance from the band, the visuals worked to great effect. There was also three stunning songs, from the voice of Georgina Hulme. Oh, and this fellow, your reviewer, was the Master of Ceremonies. Fresh from the Brighouse Hymn and March Contest.

Diggle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 25 June 2017

A great night with a top Saddleworth band 

Less than six months on their last soirée at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club, Diggle Band delivered another great concert. Last night’s well attended concert included two great solos, a satisfying horn feature, a couple of traditional marches, and another piece by Eric Ball.

Milnrow Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 18 June 2017

Milnrow Band’s scorcher of a performance

To meet up for a hymn and march contest, perform in conditions more Mediterranean than Mytholmroyd, and fulfil a concert engagement on the same day takes some doing. It would test the very best of us. Milnrow Band proved how possible it was to do just that. Within twelve hours of setting off for Hebden Bridge, they closed one of the finest concerts to grace the Boarshurst Band Club stage this year.

Whit Friday 2017: Dukinfield’s Second Contest

East of the M60’s look at The Albion Hotel’s first ever Whit Friday Brass Band Contest

Fifth band in at The Albion Hotel was Foden’s Band, runaway winners of the Tameside Open Championship.

With traffic in and around the Saddleworth villages, some brass bands choose to compete in the Tameside area Whit Friday contests. There is almost an equal number of venues in Tameside to the Saddleworth area’s agglomeration of contests. Whereas Saddleworth’s streets are narrow, this is less so at the Tameside venues. Some have off-street parking for the coaches. Most of them have smaller streets that are close to main roads.

Flixton Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 11 June 2017

Another tight performance for Boarshurst Silver Band’s fellow travellers to Cheltenham

In their second visit to Boarshurst Band Club over the last nine months, Flixton Band gave us a tight performance at yesterday’s concert [11 June 2017]. At the top end of Section Two, Flixton Band will be following Delph Band and Boarshurst Silver Band to Cheltenham in the National Championship Finals (16 September 2017). With excellent dynamic range, their performance was clinical and a real joy for the ears.