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Some things never change...

The familiar concerns of today have also been the concerns of yesteryear...

1976
  That was the year that was...

The times they say are changing… or not as the case may be.

Take for instance these concerns.

"Such is the state of the world today that nostalgia brings welcome relief for many of us.

But we cannot always be looking over our shoulders. We must look forward with hope and vision — that is the only way for us and for our movement — the finest amateur music making movement in the world.

The greatest enemy we have in this movement is ourselves. We are far too apathetic…"

Demanding action

They are strong words that demanded action.

However, they were not written in the last few weeks, but in October 1976 by the then owner and General Editor of the British Bandsman newspaper, Robert Alexander, under the banner headline, 'YOU CAN CONTROL THE FUTURE'.

Three matters

He also pinpointed three matters which he felt needed to be dealt with in the following year.

The first was the British Federation of Brass Bands (the forerunner to Brass Bands England). He asked what it had achieved in the past eight years (it was set up in 1968), what could it do for the movement, and even, if it was needed.

He highlighted the recent 'reshuffle' in its ranks, but still wondered if it was as 'out-dated as yesterday's' news?'

The second was the question of trade unionism which arose at the time with the Musician Union's 'insistence' that all bandsmen appearing on television should have been union members.

The third concerned whether or not the brass banding movement was 'satisfied' with the time given to bands on radio and television, and whether or not anyone had any idea for better presentation and programming?

The greatest enemy we have in this movement is ourselves. We are far too apathetic…Robert Alexander

42 years later

Alexander was optimistic that people cared enough about the movement 'to do something about it'.

42 years later, and with perhaps the exception of the battle against the trades union 'closed shop', the same questions seem to remain as pertinent now as then.

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Desford

Desford reaching wider audience following National win

October 16 • The wider public media have been keen to broadcast the news of Desford's memorable National Championship victory.


Yorkshire generation

Yorkshire focus on Next Generation

October 16 • Young players aged 16 and under will be teh focus of a 'Next Generation' day of inclusive music making in York in February.


Emotions

New online brass band platform launched

October 16 • Emotions on Stage will replace the CUBrass website as a leading platform for brass, wind and concert bands.


Grimethorpe

Grimethorpe go for a Burton

October 16 • Will Burton is the new solo Eb tuba of Grimethorpe Colliery Band.


Regent Brass - Brett Baker

Friday 17 October • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), 275 Oxford Street, London WC1 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Oxted Brass Band - Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)

Saturday 18 October • St John’s, Hurst Green, Kent RH8 9EA


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Dr Brett Baker

BSc (Hons), ARCM, PG Dip
Marketing Lead, Denis Wick & Alliance Products; Artist at Michael Rath Instruments


               

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