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The
Lancaster British Brass Band follows the path first laid down in
the smoky mill and mining towns of mid-nineteenth century
Britain. Gradually evolving into a fixed instrumentation of 28
players (and 1 conductor), the brass band flourished under the
sponsorship of mill and mine owners bent on "morale and
spiritual uplift". Thus laying the groundwork for a later time
when the Salvation Army began capitalizing on the success of the
bands by establishing brass bands as part of their outreach
through music.
For
concert programs brass bands borrow from virtually every musical
genre. A typical program consists of transcriptions of the
classics, marches, hymns, popular music arrangements, solos and,
last but not least, original compositions written for the
medium. In keeping with the democratic spirit of the brass band
movement, a small committee with the approval of the conductor
selects all programs. A balanced program that attempts to
please a wide range of tastes and interests is the goal.
The unique
sound quality of the Lancaster Brass Band is due to its being
composed entirely of brass winds and percussion instruments.
(Woodwinds are an integral part of the symphony orchestra and
the military-style concert band). The sound of the Lancaster
British Brass Band has been compared to "one big, magnificent
pipe organ." |