After the welcome return of The Greatest Free Show on Earth, post Whit Friday concerts are another moment to cherish. Whether the arrival of a continental band or a band from the Colne Valley, it rounds off the weekend in great style.
Continue reading “Slaithwaite Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (12 June 2022)”
In comparison with brass bands from Yorkshire, the North West and the North East, any concert with an East Midlands band (besides Glossop Old Band) at Boarshurst is a rarity. A special treat for the Band Club’s dedicated members, and a chance to win newcomers over to the club.
Continue reading “Thoresby Colliery Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 27 March 2022”
If your local band chose to do a Fantasy Brass Band League to raise money for the Nationals, there’s every chance your fantasy band will include the MD of Cory. Your line up might have the principal cornet player of Hammonds Band. It would have Elland Silver Band’s youth policy, and an in-house composer/arranger in Paul Lovatt-Cooper. There’s a good chance your Fantasy Brass Band might sound as good as last night’s band did at Boarshurst Band Club.
Continue reading “Hammonds Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 20 March 2022”
Boarshurst Band Club’s journey back to brass gave us another enjoyable concert. This time with a brass band that was formed four years before last week’s band. As with last week’s concert, there was a welcome airing of one or two classic pieces. Though with half the number of solos as last week’s concert, a case of ‘quality not quantity’.
Continue reading “Ashton-under-Lyne Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 10 October 2021”
Last Saturday (07 March), over 120 brass band players, plus families and spectators descended on Uppermill Civic Hall for what was Saddleworth’s biggest night in the brass banding calendar. Like previous Mass Brass nights, the four bands gave us yet another great concert.
Continue reading “Mass Brass IV: The Review (Uppermill Civic Hall, 07 March 2020)”
In the last few days, the Royal Exchange’s Den pop-up theatre has taken up residence in Stalybridge Civic Hall. It has played host to a number of original productions which reflect the borough’s rich history with encouraging support. There has been family-friendly workshops and social gatherings with more performances and workshops to come till the 24 August 2019.
Continue reading “Stalybridge Old Band at The Den: The 200th Anniversary of Peterloo Concert”
In terms of superlatives, what has been said about Hammonds Band that has not yet been seen said? Is it their ability to keep audiences aged 9 to 90 captivated by a stunning two hours worth of brass band music? Is it a well thought out programme that leaves audiences asking for more at the end? Is it the band’s memorable solo performances? It is a mix of the aforementioned and more besides.
Continue reading “Hammonds Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 28 April 2019”
At Saddleworth Civic Hall, brass banding nights seldom get any bigger than the annual Mass Brass concert in Uppermill. Apart from any of Saddleworth’s bands hiring The Roly Polys as a support act, only the sight of 120 brass banders at twenty to ten could trump that. All four bands gave a good performance with a 30 minute set.
Continue reading “Mass Brass 3: Saddleworth’s Brass Banding Bonanza”Was it really six months ago when Elland Silver Band played their last gig at Boarshurst Band Club? Was the Yorkshire Regional Finals in Huddersfield really a fortnight ago? After preparing for the latter, Elland Silver Band gave us all a fantastic concert with a programme that many musical directors and bands would be proud of. Last night’s band was rewarded with a packed house, standing room only for some latecomers.
In the cosy surroundings of Boarshurst Band Club, Ryan Watkins’ Slaithwaite Band served up a delightful concert with traditional fare and a superb selection of solo performances. One of the five – the band’s youngest soloist – stole the show.
Continue reading “Slaithwaite Band, 17 March 2019: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club”
East of the M60 