Bodmin Town Band under John Maines at the National Finals 2017 (Photographer: unknown)
Writing in February 2019, John Maines, former Musical Director of Bodmin Town Band, shares his thoughts on the Cornish brass band scene.
History
There are currently 38 member bands of the Cornwall Brass Band Association which compares favourably with many other areas of the United Kingdom given that it is essentially a rural area with just one county line. In years gone by, travel within Cornwall was much more of a challenge than it is now, meaning that town and village bands could hold on to their players much easier than in today’s environment. It is a different situation nowadays of course with some bands welcoming players from beyond Cornwall, mainly neighbouring Devon.
Much like Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Duchy of Cornwall became a rich mining area, not with coal, but with vast sources of tin, copper, lead and latterly, in the 18th century, China clay. Brass bands had already been an integral part of many rural communities and an influx of labour added to the flourishing brass band scene. Almost every village and town boasted their own band, and church fetes, carnivals and celebrations of all kinds featured the local band! Rivalries between villages soon began and it was only a matter of time before many local contests were born. As time went on, as in many other parts of the country, other pastimes started to encroach on the band scene and the number of bands, and therefore contests, began to dwindle.
As usual, records are sketchy but it appears the earliest bands in Cornwall appeared around the mid-1830s although the Mount Charles Band in St Austell can trace their beginnings back to 1779 when the Band was known as the Regiment of Volunteers but this is more likely referring to a military style band with no records to show when it became an all-brass combination. Redruth Town Band could lay claim to the title ‘oldest’ as records show that as early as 1828 there were mentions of “Bands of Musicians” and in 1832 it is recorded that “the Band paraded the streets playing The dead march,” although quite why this music was being played is not documented! Then, on the 27th June 1836, the Band led a parade from Redruth to Carn Brea to lay a foundation stone for the 90-foot-high monument to Lord Dunstanville who had died the previous year. Between 1820 and 1856 the Band was referred to at various times as a Volunteer Band, a Temperance Band and Redruth Amateur Band. The word ‘temperance’ appeared in the names of many of Cornwall’s early bands, not surprising in a staunchly Methodist region.
It is certain that at least three bands were formed in 1838, they were St Austell Band and St Dennis Band right in the centre of the China Clay district of mid-Cornwall, the latter probably formed as part of the festivities in connection with the Coronation of Queen Victoria in June of the same year. Also of the 1838 vintage is the Falmouth Town Band from further west in Cornwall which, according to the Falmouth Express and Colonial Journal “Played for the Clergy in full Convocation Robes on 30th June 1838.”
As always, whichever claims to be the first to be formed, it will always be a bone of contention. Other notable early bands are Constantine Silver Band 1848, Liskeard Silver Band 1849, Truro City Band which was formed as the Truro Saxhorn Band in 1853, Newquay Town Band 1856, Porthleven Town Band can trace its formation to 1867 as a drum and fife band changing to all brass in 1875, Bugle Band 1868 and St Pinnock Band founded in 1866 as the St Pinnock Temperance Band of Hope drawn mostly from the workers of the lead mines and gunpowder mills in the area. This Band’s first members wore as a uniform just a peaked cap and a blue sash, the latter to show they had all taken ‘the pledge’ to renounce the ‘Demon Drink’.
Indian Queens Band was formed in 1856 by a local man, Martin Strongman Kessell – a local gamekeeper. Writing in his book about the history of St Columb and St Mawgan, local author Ivan Rabey noted that “a band of five players, trained by M Kessell undertook their first engagement at Ruthvoes. As they only knew three tunes, they played them over and over again, but Indian Queens Band has progressed much over the years.”
Some bands have managed to come back from extinction, such is the case of the Lanner & District Silver Band, situated in a village near Redruth. The Band was formed in the mid-1890s. Sadly, due to the considerable emigration of would-be musicians to countries such as South Africa (mining being the primary cause), it disbanded in 1902.
The Band was re-formed in 1965 and in those early days, practised in a chicken shed in the garden of Lanner resident Daisy Moyle. Mrs Moyle later became the Band’s first Life Member. As the Band attracted more members, they outgrew the chicken shed and moved to a bandroom at the top of Lanner Hill. From these humble beginnings a strong youth band emerged, and as time went by these young players progressed into the senior band, thus helping to sustain its development. Eventually, even the Lanner Hill bandroom became too small, and a concerted effort from the players and committee members resulted in the purchase, in 1983, of the old chapel on Lanner Moor. This remained the band headquarters until 2013 when, following a successful 18-month long project, the Band moved into its brand-new, purpose-built rehearsal room and conference facility. Lanner & District Silver Band has progressed from its early days in the fourth section of the Cornish and national ratings, and is today one of the finest bands in Cornwall.
In April 2003 the Band was crowned West of England Second Section Champions. This led to promotion to the First Section and qualification to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The success continued later that year when at the National Finals, the Band achieved a magnificent 3rd placing. Since that time it has competed successfully in the First Section with many fine achievements both on the contest and concert scene and as of January 2014, now compete in the Championship Section. The success continues and the Lanner Band is recognised as one of the most innovative, entertaining and successful bands in Cornwall.
During the First World War, bands were decimated by the loss of menfolk to the war effort and some sadly never re-formed, but others did with younger players, many from the same family. One such band had an intriguing title, The Bleak House Band from Carrick. Formed just after WW1, this band at first, consisted almost entirely of members of the Trebilcock and Marshall families. Its first set of instruments was bought from the defunct Feock Band. One of the Trebilcocks lived at Bleak House, so much of their rehearsals were carried out there. It carried on until it had to disband in 1929.
The Bugle Silver Band carried on throughout WW1 as a boys’ band, therefore ensuring the continued existence of one of the oldest bands in Cornwall.
Easily the newest addition to the ranks of Cornish bands is Roche Brass which was formed in 2012 after a group of former players from around Cornwall met to rehearse in the village of Roche near St Austell. They quickly made their mark with succession up the sections and now stand as a First Section band.
Not all Cornish banding history has been plain sailing however. When tragedy strikes it can have a devastating effect. In December 2009, a raging fire tore through the bandroom of the Bodmin Town Band. Arsonists were responsible for destroying instruments, uniforms, percussion equipment, memorabilia and the historic library. The Band was already struggling personnel wise and this seemed like the final straw but the few players that were left were determined to keep Bodmin Band going and it literally rose from the ashes and now, after many years of dedication and hard work, the Band are once again looking resplendent in their new uniforms, an exact replica of the original jackets.
Contests
The aforementioned contests were flourishing by the start of the 20th century with events in towns and villages such as Camborne, Penzance, Nanpean, Falmouth, Newquay, St Keverne and the most famous of all Cornish contests, The West of England Bandsman’s Festival held every June in the village of Bugle on the outskirts of St Austell. The event is held in the open air and is to all intents and purposes what our American cousins would call a ‘drive-in’ contest!
The first contest was held in 1912 in the grounds of Peniel, later moving to Mollinis Park to accommodate more car parking space. It is estimated that around 6,000 people attended that first contest. In the Mid-Cornwall clay country villages there were in excess of a dozen bands, which made Bugle an obvious venue.
In 1913 The Royal Trophy was presented to the Festival by the Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, later to become H.M. King Edward VIII, and to this day it is the only trophy with a royal connection in the brass band world. The Trophy is awarded to the winners of the Championship Section.
With no formal grading structure in place, it was decided to run the contest in two sections determined by the size of the band. Class B was for bands of 16 players and under, whilst Class A was for the larger bands.
The event was intended to be a one-off occasion to raise funds for the building of a Working Men’s Institute in the village, but such was the success of the day it was decided to continue as a festival in its own right.
The First World War interrupted many social gatherings and the contest was no exception. After the war, the contest was resurrected with what is generally thought to be the beginning of the golden age of the contest. Big name bands such as Munn & Feltons and Black Dyke competed at Bugle in the same year that they won the Nationals, and huge crowds gave Bugle a growing national reputation.
Suspension of the contest was again necessary for the Second World War, but 1947 saw its revival and it has now seen an unbroken run of over 70 years.
John Maines with Bodmin Town Band at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival in 2018
The Festival has remained true to its original concept as an open-air event with every competing band taking part in the morning march down the main street of the village to the delight of the on-looking crowds. The reverse happens at the conclusion of the contest with the prize-winning bands proudly displaying their haul of silverware! The last band to appear is always the Championship Section winners holding aloft the Royal Trophy and finishing in the village square to play a brief ‘winner’s concert’ finishing with the traditional ’bandsman’s’ hymn Deep Harmony.
The most prolific winning conductor since the contest began was E J Williams Jnr. (Eddie) with St Dennis Band, guiding them to 14 wins including an incredible 11 victories in a row between 1961 and 1971. The other three wins were a hat-trick in 1976, 1977 and 1978! His father, also E J Williams, won the contest in 1919 with, ironically, their closest rivals, Camborne Town Band.
Sadly with the recent demise, temporary or otherwise, of the Cornwall Brass Band Association contest in Truro, the amount of brass band competitions has declined to the point where the Bugle Band Contest is now the only major brass band competition in Cornwall, at least for now.
Other events
Cornwall, of course, is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations and bands regularly tap into the summer audiences with many quayside concerts at the harbours such as Padstow, Looe, Port Isaac, Mevagissey, Penzance and Newquay as well as a plethora of park concerts, carnivals, church festivals and village fetes.
A relatively recent addition to the concert calendar has appeared. During the autumn months, a round of ‘Last Night of the Proms’ concerts take place with one of the most notable being given by the Mount Charles Band in the unique setting of the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno on the Lizard Peninsular. The open-air theatre is hewn out of the cliff face overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and seats in excess of 800 people. Three brass proms are performed on the last weekend in September and a Christmas concert in December in front of one of the most stunning backdrops of any concert venue.
A number of other bands in the Duchy have similar events which always prove extremely popular with the general public. Fireworks, Land of Hope and Glory along with the 1812 Overture being the order of the day!
In an attempt to give bands the opportunity to perform alongside each other away from the contest environment, the Cornwall Brass Band Association has created the Festival of Cornish Brass. Held on the first Saturday in February at St Michaels Church in Newquay this attracts bands of all grades to perform on an equal footing an entertainment programme of 25 minutes each. The event attracts good audiences and gives bands the chance to perform in public prior to the Regional Championships in March.
Solo Contests
As with full band competitions, solo contests in the Duchy have shown a steep decline in recent years. Until the 1980s, Cornwall had one of the healthiest solo contest scenes in the country. Where else would small village solo contests have adjudicators such as Eric Ball, Gilbert Vinter, Malcolm Arnold, Geoffrey Brand and Denis Wright? Yes, definitely healthy!
Mainly run under the auspices of local bands, there were contests in places such as Helston, Carharrack & St Day, Launceston, St Austell, Porthleven and more, with St Dennis seemingly being the sole survivor. A recent revival is on the cards however, with a group of enthusiastic band people determined to encourage individuals and bands to once again support such events. Spearheading the campaign is St Dennis baritone player Terry Sleeman, himself a regular for many years on the solo circuit. Terry’s enthusiasm and passion shone out as I asked him about the campaign. “It is now over fifty years since I took to the stage at the old Drill Hall in Helston to compete in the under 15 class at the Annual Solo Contest and delivered a satisfactory, albeit nervous, rendition of Jerusalem. Now at the age of 64 with my playing career drawing to a close I look back over the years and realise how important these events were in my development as a player. The older generation can see the benefits, playing in front of audiences, learning the words to be able to shape the music, phrasing, tone production and many other skills.”
Terry continued, “Looking back to my early days competing against such names as Peter Minear, Robert Osborne, Leonard Adams, Bill Buzza, Andre Helleur, Viv Hawkey and not forgetting a certain John Maines, one could not help to be inspired by these very fine players.”
“It is sad to see the gradual decline, not only in the contests themselves but also in the number of entries too. It is important to note that I’m not talking about the various Music Festivals, but of the solo contests within the brass band movement.”
“I’m happy to report that after a group of like-minded individuals held a meeting to discuss what could be done, the contests at Helston and Camborne, last held in 2017, are now back in the diary alongside St Dennis, previously the lone survivor. Ideally, we need the support of not only bands, conductors, teachers and parents, but also Cornwall’s Music Service. Further meetings are planned and it is hoped that more ideas and initiatives will result in even more entries. The bottom line is that whether it be our Solo Contests, Area Qualifiers, The National Finals, The British Open or the European Championships, our younger generation must make sure there is only one winner – THE MUSIC.”
Looking to the future:
So then, what does the future hold for the brass band scene in Cornwall?
Free brass tuition in schools appears to be a thing of the past and the traditions of handing down the joys of playing a brass instrument through the family are also on the wane, so more and more bands are seeing the importance of ‘in-house’ training. As in other parts of the country, organisations are seeing the importance of training and youth bands. Foden’s, Grimethorpe and others are perfect examples, the onus is not just on the lower section bands anymore with even the top bands seeing the need to ‘grow their own’ talent. Cornwall has always had a great tradition of good youth bands. In the past, four youth bands: Mount Charles, Camborne, St Keverne and St Dennis have all become Champion Youth Band of Great Britain on a number of occasions, and so after somewhat of a decline, the future looks bright, with more and more youth and training bands showing a welcome upsurge.
I asked the Chairperson of Bodmin Town Band, Miriam Moore, about the band and its future. “When I joined the Band in 1988, unbelievably women were still very much in the minority and for the next few years to the mid-1990s, I was often one of only two or three female playing members in the Band. There was still a firm view from a few of the men at the time that there was no place for women in banding at the top level! I say unbelievable, as presently in Bodmin Band, men are most definitely in the minority and this is often seen in brass bands throughout Cornwall and the rest of the country with some solo seats in the top brass bands being held by the most amazing female players.”
“At Bodmin Town Band we are lucky to have a thriving youth organisation incorporating a training and a youth band. Many other brass bands in Cornwall are also working hard in training young people and with us all hoping that together we can ensure that the brass band tradition in Cornwall will continue for many years to come and that children will continue to have the same opportunities that we had growing up in the 1970s.”
Another thriving organisation is the Camborne Youth & Junior Contesting Bands led by one of the unsung heroes of Cornish banding, Alan Pope BEM.
Alan commented: “I grew up in the banding tradition. Since returning to Cornwall from a military career, I have spent the past two decades trying to pass on some of my knowledge and passion to inspire young people to ‘get the bug’ for brass music and banding specifically. Camborne Youth Band had an exceptional run of national successes. This enabled the Band to continue to recruit and keep the standard flying. To ensure the future of brass bands in Cornwall, we need to encourage young people to learn a brass instrument and to join a band. We also need to encourage past players who gave up being part of a band for one reason or another, to return to banding. This would boost numbers and their experience would be beneficial to younger players who are able to listen to and learn from them. We at Camborne Junior Contesting Band have found this to be very successful for us over the past few years.”
At Indian Queens Band, their MD, former Grimethorpe Colliery percussionist Mark Arnold, told me: “After re-forming the Band when it got down to only 12 players in 2015, Indian Queens Band has come on in leaps and bounds gaining promotion to the Third Section and having exceptional results at the annual Exmouth Contest beating higher bands in both playing and entertainment (winning the overall entertainment prize twice) including best trombone section and best percussion section twice. I am a massive advocate of entertainment, and the band delivers every time it puts on a show.”
A man who knows the Cornish band scene as well as anyone is Leonard Adams. Leonard was a fine cornet player who progressed to be one of the Duchy’s finest conductors. He is also managing director of Trevada Music Ltd which keeps him in touch with the current banding movement. I asked him about his time with Cornish bands. “I’ve had many years of enjoyment in the brass scene here in Cornwall and look back at the encouragement given to me to practice with good one-to-one tuition to enter and be successful at many of the solo competitions. I have also been involved in the youth band scene, both local and, of course, the Cornwall Youth Brass Band who gave me the opportunity to work with some great guest conductors over the years. A policy that continues to the present day.”
Leonard continued, “It was always good to see senior bands joining together with others to give joint concerts and playing at many venues around Cornwall. I have many people and organisations to thank for helping me throughout the years and I’m sure that if the players of today are given the same opportunity to follow similar steps, they too will have as much great enjoyment as I did.”
Not all parties are as optimistic however, Frances Calver of the Cornwall Brass Band Association is worried about the future administration of bands in her organisation as she says: “There seems to be a general apathy at the moment, but I suppose everyone is so busy trying to keep their own band afloat that there is little time to give to their Association, but sadly without that help it will fold. Unfortunately, without the CBBA there will be no representation on the Regional Committee and so no voice at the Kapitol Forum, but bands don’t seem to grasp that, or perhaps they don’t care.” She continued, “I’m not sure what the solution is, and I don’t think Cornwall is alone in having this problem. Yes, it’s great to see all the young players coming through but unless some of them take over the mantle of organisation there won’t be events for the players to attend and the banding world will become very fragmented and insular.” Frances added, “In the wider picture, legislation regarding safeguarding and performance licensing for children, are both important areas which bands need to be aware of in trying to present a modern image to Joe Public, and engaging with the public to raise the profile of banding.”
A jewel in the crown of Cornish banding is undoubtedly the Cornwall Youth Brass Band. It was in 1955, encouraged by Mr W Pearson, at that time the County Music Advisor, that the idea of a County Youth Brass Band was born, the first in the United Kingdom. The object was to give young players from all backgrounds, the opportunity to play under top conductors and experience repertoires they wouldn’t play in their own bands. To begin with there were two bands, the main one being restricted in numbers to the contest combination of 25 players: it was conducted by Fred Roberts, then conductor of Camborne Town Band. The other was a training band, conducted by Frank Moore of St Agnes, whose members could advance to the main band as they gained experience.
The first Principal Cornet was John Berryman and the first Soprano was Rodney Richards. It also included a young Goff Richards who remembers being taken by his father to the rehearsals which were held in different towns around Cornwall. The Band performed several public concerts including an appearance at the Royal Cornwall Show at Launceston.
The idea of building up a large group of young players wasn’t achieved however and in 1958 it was decided to place the Band under the umbrella of The Cornwall Brass Band Association which had also been founded in 1955.
A meeting was held in Truro when officials from the CYBB and various Association and Music Services gathered. Also present was Dr Denis Wright who had founded The National Youth Brass Band in 1952, and who had been invited to advise on the way forward. All those present were very keen to see the Band continue and Dr Wright obviously harnessed and guided their enthusiasm as it was decided to progress by holding a residential course for the first time the following year, 1959, with Dr Wright as guest conductor.
This meant a lot more work and so a Youth Band Committee was formed as part of the CBBA with A R Trudgian as the Chairman, F E Moore as Secretary and with such well-known names, amongst others, as Eddie Williams, William Lawton, Edgar Floyd and Cecil Brewer acting as both committee members and Instructors. The Course was held the following August when 62 young players from 15 Cornish Bands camped at Porthpean near St Austell and worked for four days in a large marquee, under Dr Wright.
As well as a concert, a drumhead service at Poltair Recreation Ground was held at the end of the Course. It is reported that Dr Wright was delighted with the musical side of the course but not with the facilities. In a letter to the Chairman, Reg Trudgian, he said, “I am not convinced that an outdoor camp and serious music making go well together.” His remarks obviously made an impact as this was the first and only time that the Band camped out. By the time Dr Wright returned the following August, the course had been transferred indoors – to St Austell Grammar School.
In 1963 the Band moved their annual course to Fowey County Secondary School where they remained until 1980. During this period, other well-known names in the world of music became involved with the Band, the first of which was Eric Ball who was invited to be guest conductor in 1962. It was an inspired choice and so popular in fact that he returned in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969 and 1978, by which time he had become the President of the CYBB.
One afternoon during the 1963 course, Reg Trudgian took Eric and his wife, Olive, for a drive down the valley of the River Fowey along the banks to the mouth of the river. Eric was so inspired by the beauty of the scenery that by the next course, in 1964, he had composed The Fowey River Suite, which he dedicated to The Cornwall Youth Brass Band who gave the first performance of it under his baton. The Band played the piece, which had five movements, from manuscript, but later, when the music was published, Eric Ball had reduced it to only four movements, due to time constraints apparently imposed by the publishers.
Eric Ball was elected the first President of The Cornwall Youth Brass Band in 1967, an office he held until his death in 1989. In replying to the letter of invitation from the Chairman, Reg Trudgian, he said, “I am honoured and indeed flattered that your committee should ask me to be the first President of The Cornwall Youth Brass Band. Of course I accept and shall look forward to again being with the Band. I think I shall have to write another (and one hopes, better) work for the Band. Can you think of a Cornish title for, say, an overture?”
By the time Eric Ball returned to take the Band for their Easter 1969 Course, they found that he had indeed written another piece of music inspired by Cornwall for them. It was the Overture St Michael’s Mount, the first performance of which was given by the Band, again conducted by the composer.
When the Band came to hold its 20th Annual Course at Easter in 1978, he was the unanimous choice to lead it once again, the last occasion on which he did so.
It was also during the 1960s that the Band came into contact with one of Britain’s great composers from the world of classical music, Malcolm Arnold. He had moved to Cornwall in 1965 and quickly became impressed with and involved in amateur music making in the Duchy. In 1966 the Band, that year under Guest Conductor Geoffrey Brand, invited Malcolm Arnold to hear them play his Little Suite For Brass and to write a foreword in the concert programme.
So impressed was he by the Band, led on that course by principal cornet Brian Minear, that he offered to write a work for them for their next course. Naturally the offer was gratefully accepted and on 19th January 1967, the score and parts of The Little Suite No 2 for Brass Band was received by Reg Trudgian, the Chairman of the Band. The new work was premiered at Fowey on Easter Sunday with the composer himself conducting. The suite was received with great acclaim prompting the composer to write to Reg Trudgian a few days later saying, “The concert was a great experience which I shall never forget. Every player excelled themselves and made me realise what a wonderful thing music is.” The Little Suite was repeated the following year when Malcolm Arnold, to the delight of the Committee and Band directed the whole course himself, an occasion fondly remembered by one of the Baritone players, Terry Sleeman, who said that he was, “someone you looked up to, he was jovial, but always serious about the music.”
Malcolm Arnold refused any fee or expenses for his services and was quoted in The Cornish Guardian as saying, “These seventy young people have given me more than I have given them.”
The Band continued to attract top musicians as guest conductors and as they moved into the seventies, both Arthur Butterworth and Roy Newsome were frequent visitors. It was in 1975 however, that an invitation to the late Albert Chappell proved to have far reaching consequences. Well known for his interest in teaching young brass musicians in the Midlands he returned to Cornwall by popular request in 1976 and 1977 and again in 1979, the year he retired from full-time teaching and moved to Cornwall.
This proved fortuitous for the Band as he readily accepted an invitation from them to serve as their Senior Tutor, the start of a close relationship which lasted until 1999, when he left Cornwall to live closer to his family in the Midlands. During that long period he also became Music Advisor then finally, President. He dedicated untold hours to teaching, encouraging and leading the Band to greater and greater heights, perhaps most memorably of all winning the Brass Section of The 1983 National Festival of Youth with them at The Royal Festival Hall in London. This success resulted in an invitation to perform later that year at The Royal Albert Hall in the annual Schools Prom.
Such was the esteem in which Albert Chappell was held by The Cornwall Youth Brass Band, that on his move from Cornwall he was made Life President of the Band and presented with a Cornish Shield by The Chairman of The Cornwall County Council.
A particular highlight of the Band’s performances was its ten-day tour of Luxembourg and Switzerland in July 1990. Sixty-five members of the Band made the trip which included seven concerts before audiences of up to three thousand people. The Senior Tutor at the time, Leonard Adams, conducted and another eighteen parents and officials went along to ensure everything ran smoothly. In 1993 another successful and enjoyable tour was undertaken, this time to Austria, when the Senior Tutor and Conductor was Derek Greenwood.
The policy of the Band from the start has been to invite the best musicians possible to direct the regular residential courses. Among those invited, often more than once, have been, Peter Parkes, Richard Evans, Harry Mortimer, Geoffrey Whitham, Derek Broadbent and Nicholas Childs and latterly, Russell Gray, Stephen Cobb, Philip Harper, Ian Porthouse and Michael Fowles. During the past sixty-four years the Band has been blessed with the help of a great team of Senior and Local Tutors who have taken rehearsals month in month out, teaching and preparing the young players for the experience of learning and performing under the baton of those guest conductors.
Over the years, the Band has moved around Cornwall but is now settled happily at Truro College for its monthly rehearsals with the residential courses taking place at The Truro High School for Girls.
I asked the present Chairman of the CYBB, Brian Minear, about the present-day Band. “We continue to be well supported and have an enthusiastic following. Being a charity, we are self-supporting with no financial assistance. This being said, we are still able to hold two four-day residential courses per year, one at Easter and the second at Christmas, engaging high profile professional conductors and soloists. Leading up to the courses we hold four half-day rehearsals led by local brass band conductors who, like all officials, give their services free of charge. Most of them are either ex-players or have had family members in the Band and wish to give something back to the organisation. Many of our players have moved on to further their musical careers and have gained national recognition. Our aim is to continue giving the young musicians the best possible tuition and musical experience which will not only be of benefit to them but will help keep a healthy brass band tradition in Cornwall and beyond.”
The Cornwall Youth Brass Band celebrates its sixty-fourth year in 2019 and, as always, is forward looking. It seeks to continue to offer the young brass players of Cornwall an exciting and challenging way of enjoying music in the company of like-minded people.
Other influences
In years gone by, the young players had little opportunity to move out of Cornwall and therefore left school, found jobs and importantly, stayed in their chosen band or at least within the Duchy. A major influence of modern times causing the migration of young players, are the courses on offer at the various colleges around the United Kingdom. The Royal Northern College of Music, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama along with the Universities of Birmingham, Huddersfield and Salford all offer attractive opportunities for young brass and percussion players. It would be interesting to see what effect the formation of such a course at say Falmouth University would have on this migration! However, there are also players who have completed their studies and returned to their roots to put something back into Cornish banding. But of course, these people get little or no publicity.
Sadly these days there are a lot of doom and gloom merchants in our world but on the face of it, the brass band movement in Cornwall has a very positive outlook and a bright future, with optimistic and enthusiastic people working in the right direction.
John Maines BA (Hons)
John’s musical career started with the Prescot Cables Band, Wigan Boys Club and Cammell Laird bands. He became the North of England Junior Solo Champion and was invited to play for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
A move to Cornwall saw John as principal trombone with St Austell and Bodmin bands and it was at this time that he gained the title of Champion Trombone Player of Great Britain on three successive occasions. One of only two players ever to achieve a hat-trick in this event.
After playing solo trombone with the Stanshawe (Bristol), Fairey Engineering bands and with Harry Mortimer’s Men o’ Brass, he became principal trombone with the Black Dyke Mills Band with whom he won many British titles and a hat trick of European Championships.
Since 1979 John has been a Music Tutor and Council member for The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
John was principal trombone of the highly acclaimed Kings of Brass and was for a time the Musical Director of the world-famous Versatile Brass group with whom he travelled extensively.
John was for many years the presenter of the long running BBC band programme GMR Brass and in 1999 received the Manchester Music Makers award for music broadcasting in Greater Manchester. He continued his broadcasting role as presenter of Top Brass on www.klradio.online, an internet based brass programme.
Between 2010 and 2013 John was MD of the Mount Charles Band before guiding the Bodmin Town Band back to the Championship Section in 2022.