*
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    


Cory tour

Cory set to tour Canada and USA later this year

June 5 • The Welsh champion will embark on a major eight day tour to North America in October.


Foundations

Closing date looms for Future Leaders

June 5 • If you want your band to benefit from future leaders of confidence, skill and inspiration, then you need to get your application in soon.


York Early Music Festival

Fanfare welcomes at York Early Music Festival

June 5 • A brand new fanfare written by Yorkshire composer Sam Meredith will be played during the opening weekend by the German renaissance ensemble (hanse) Pfeyffery.


North Shore

President hopes to build on momentum in NZ

June 5 • Following a successful National Championships, New Zealand banding must build on the momentum created according to its President.


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Ascot Brass - Vanguard Quartet from "Royal Harmonics"

Saturday 6 June • St Michael and All Angels Church St Michaels Green, Grenfell Road Beaconsfield HP9 2BP


Sherborne Town Band - Friends

Sunday 7 June • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

June 4 • BACK ROW CORNET 2nd/3rd cornet. . NEMBBA contest entered for 15 November. LBBA contest entered for 22 November. . Concert schedule planned in advance. Planned breaks .


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

June 4 • Percussion - Kit Vacancy (with options to support tuned percussion). Full Mapex Kit & full Pearl kit available . . Hardware available, but appreciate you might want to use your own sticks!. . NEMBBA contest entered 15 November. LBBA contest entered 22 November


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd