'The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Brass Instruments' edited by Trevor Herbert, Arnold Myers and John Wallace has been named as one of the winners of the 'Choice Outstanding Academic Titles of 2019'.
Accolade
First published in hardback in October 2018 it is regarded as the foremost work in its field of research.
It has gained the prestigious accolade after it was submitted alongside 6,000 academic titles to the reviews journal of the influential Association of College and Research Librarians: a division of the American Libraries Association.
The trio of editors were joined by 32 experts from 15 countries to examine the history, development, design, manufacture and performance of brass instruments from around the musical world.
Worldwide
It includes over 100 illustrations, and gives attention to every brass instrument which has been regularly used, with information about the way they are played, the uses to which they have been put, and the importance they have had in classical music, sacred rituals, popular music, jazz, brass bands and the bands of the military.
There are specialist entries covering every inhabited region of the globe and essays on the methods that experts have used to study and understand brass instruments.
The encyclopaedia spans the entire period from antiquity to modern times, with new and unfamiliar material that takes advantage of the latest research.
I hope it will help lead to an even greater understanding and appreciation of the music performed on brass instruments throughout the worldProf Trevor Herbert
Elevates profile
Speaking to 4BR about the award, Professor Trevor Herbert, who was introduced to music in a brass band before becoming a leading orchestral player and academic, told 4BR: "This is great news, not just because it is a credit to everyone who contributed to the book, but because of the way it elevates the profile of brass playing and brass instruments more generally.
I wonder if a book about brass instruments has ever won such an important mainstream award. I hope it will help lead to an even greater understanding and appreciation of the music performed on brass instruments throughout the world."
Paperback release
It has now been released in paperback and can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=cambridge+encyclopedia+of+brass&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
