A new four part radio series called Brass Britain is to be aired on BBC Radio 2 starting Monday 19th.

Celebration

Produced by Rosemary Foxcroft it will be narrated by Brassed Off star Stephen Tompkinson, who will presents the four part celebration of
the UK's long love affair with brass bands and the music of brass.

According to Rosemary the four programmes hope to delve into the brass band culture from the Pennine Hills to the Welsh Valleys, from the Cornish Copper towns to the Scottish Glens and over the sea to Ireland.

The programme is the brainchild of Made in Manchester Productions, a vibrant production company which is taking its first steps into the brass band world with this production under Executive Producer Ashley Byrne.

Contributors

The line up of contributors is quite amazing with the first programme featuring politicians Lord Kinnock and Dennis Skinner, poet, Ian Macmillan, Terry Wogan, Dana, Dickie Brird, Elgar Howarth, Professor Trevor Herbert, Dr Stephen Cobb and Dr Roy Newsome among others.

The opening segment of the quartet of programmes will look at the way in which brass bands have influeneced the careers of leading personalities as well as a closer look at the roots of the brass band movement4BR

Opening segment

The opening segment of the quartet of programmes will look at the way in which brass bands have influeneced the careers of leading personalities as well as a closer look at the roots of the brass band movement.

Second programme

The second programme reflects on how brass bands have often provided the soundtrack to Britain's turbulent history of troubles, tragedies and triumphs.

The programme also looks at how the tradition is much more than a hobby for many brass banders in Britain and how a former mining village in South Yorkshire is home to one of the best brass bands in the world. Elgar Howarth talks about his time with Grimethorpe and those who knew Harry Mortimer reflect on his enormous legacy

Programme three

Programme three sees film composer Nigel Hess, musicians Brian and Michael and the minimalist composer Michael Nyman reflect on how brass bands have permeated our popular culture — from film and TV scores to pop music. And just what did films like Brassed Off and The Full Monty really do for brass banding in Britain.

Final programme

The final programme looks to the future with Acid Brass in Manchester, SKA and brass in the Pennines and Bollywood Brass in London. It asks if brass in Britain is enjoying something of a renaissance, and also what is the future is for brass bands in Britain

Details

BRASS BRITAIN : four part series, starting Monday 19th May -9th June. 11.30pm — midnight.

Part 1: May 19th

Part 2: May 26th

Part 3: June 2nd

Part 4: June 9th