*
banner

Scots snobs stamp on brass

It seems that ‘snobbish’ attitudes towards brass players isn’t just confined to those in the orchestral world of London.

RAH
 

At a recent concert given by the world famous tenor Andrea Bocelli in Glasgow, the local Herald newspaper’s music critic Marianne Gunn heaped praised on the tenor for not missing a note when a butterfly flew into his face.

Humanitarian act

By all accounts this amazing piece of humanitarian action brought swoons of unprecedented admiration from members of the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union who were accompanying Andrea on the night.

Darker tone

However, those opinions soon turned a darker tone when it was revealed that one choir member made the revelation that the poor creature had eventually come to rest next to a member of the horn section of the British Philharmonic Orchestra, who promptly, '...stood on it' – much to the distress of the hardy singers its appears.

The report on the concert then indicated that this action said a lot about the type of people who play in the brass sections of orchestras4BR

Types

The report on the concert then indicated that this action said a lot about the type of people who play in the brass sections of orchestras.

Ouch!

Trumpet reply

However, the following day the paper received a reply from the great trumpet player John Wallace stating that; "…horns are not strictly brass instruments and should be classified as woodwind because of their many embarrassing behavioural traits of which the above is just a symptom."

Double ouch!

For more
For more about the story, go to:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/

Thanks to Angus Cochrane

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Finalists

Final beats made ahead of NYBBGB Conducting Final

January 16 • Ammal Bhatia, Megan Bousfield, Tommy Tynan and Joey Wong will head to Tidworth Garrison Theatre in Wiltshire with the aim to become the winner of the prestigious event supported by British Army Music.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd