If you ever wondered how some people in the orchestral world view brass bands, then the November issue of MUSO magazine is quite enlightening.

Supportive

In an interesting and supportive article by Abi Bliss on the Barbican Brass quintet, which comprises Philip Cobb, the recently appointed joint principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, a fellow member of the group highlights what he refers to as a 'less positive aspect' of brass bands.

...even Philip Cobb has been subject to ill informed 'mickey taking' for not knowing the orchestral repertoire as well as those brought up solely in the medium4BR

Ongoing problem

Trombonist Steven Haynes, a former member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, talks about what he perceives is a ongoing problem.

"I think musically, it’s a shame that brass bands don’t listen to other kinds of music a bit more. I certainly learned a lot once I got to music college in terms of style, which I’d not learnt in the brass band."

Advocate

Despite that misgiving, Haynes is a passionate advocate of brass banding, and calls it a 'proving ground' that gives its performers the edge over orchestral counterparts in 'invaluable training' in terms of stamina and sight reading.

Interestingly he also reveals his impression that there is also a form of musical 'snobbery' in what the author calls the metropolitan music world.

Snobbery

"...there’s a jokey snobbery element that I get all the time," he says, before showing a steely resolve to show the shallowness of those perpetrating it by using the examples of Maurice Murphy, Ian Bousefield, Rod Franks and Philip Cobb as proof that the banding movement has produced its fair share of undisputed world class performers.

Mickey taking

Although he says that respect is forthcoming if the orchestral world finds out you come from a Yorkshire or Lancashire banding background, he also reveals that even Philip Cobb has been subject to ill informed 'mickey taking' for not knowing the orchestral repertoire as well as those brought up solely in the medium.

Pretty quick

However, Steven one again shows his support for both his friend and fellow brass bander by adding, "...he plays the trumpet better than most other people, so it doesn’t matter. He’s so musical, he can figure it out for himself pretty quick."

The article can be found in the Oct/Nov (issue 43) of MUSO Magazine or go to www.musolife.com