Sounding Brass
Encyclopedia
Sounding Brass was a pioneer phone-in programme presented by Gloria Hunniford
on BBC Radio 2
. Listeners were invited to choose a Christmas carol
or hymn while a Salvation Army
band, which included the famous Chalk Farm Band, stood by in the studio to play their requests live.
The brass bands had a wide repertoire and were usually able to play a hymn tune
within forty seconds of the request being made. A guest hymnologist was on-hand to explain the origin of the music and the background to the composition of the words. Among the regular Bandmasters who appeared was Ray Steadman-Allen
, the famous Salvation Army band composer. The programme was devised and first presented by Owen Spencer-Thomas
on BBC Radio London in 1977. The programme ran until the mid 1990s.
Gloria Hunniford
Gloria Hunniford is a Northern Irish TV and radio presenter, and formerly a singer.-Biography:...
on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
. Listeners were invited to choose a Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
or hymn while a Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
band, which included the famous Chalk Farm Band, stood by in the studio to play their requests live.
The brass bands had a wide repertoire and were usually able to play a hymn tune
Hymn tune
A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
within forty seconds of the request being made. A guest hymnologist was on-hand to explain the origin of the music and the background to the composition of the words. Among the regular Bandmasters who appeared was Ray Steadman-Allen
Ray Steadman-Allen
Lieutenant Colonel Ray Steadman-Allen is a composer of choral and brass band music for the Salvation Army and for band competition....
, the famous Salvation Army band composer. The programme was devised and first presented by Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Robert Spencer-Thomas MBE is perhaps best known as a television and radio news journalist over three decades, but he has also undertaken a wide range of philanthropric work as volunteer charity fundraiser, pioneer and campaigner for people with autism and other disabilities...
on BBC Radio London in 1977. The programme ran until the mid 1990s.