A Brief History

The City of Wolverhampton Brass Band Was formed in 1972 and initially based at Wolverhampton Grammar School

Wolverhampton Grammar School

Wolverhampton Grammar School is a co-educational independent school located in the city of Wolverhampton.Initially Wolverhampton Boys Grammar School, it was founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns, a master of the ancient guild of Merchant Taylors, who was also Lord Mayor of London in the year of...

, in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...

, UK. The Wolverhampton Brass Band was organised and conducted by Mr. A Power (Bert) who was then a brass instrument tutor based at the grammar school

Grammar school

A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...

. The original band was a mix of school students and other local players recruited by advertising and friends recommendations.

Instruments were initially only those personally owned by the band's members, although extra instruments were later purchased using an educational hire-purchase scheme. Subscriptions collected were used to purchase music and a library was gradually built up sufficient to enable the band to play local concerts and engagements.

By 1974, the band had joined the area Brass Band Association and began to enter contests as a fourth section band. The band enjoyed success in the Radio Birmingham

BBC WM

BBC WM is the BBC Local Radio service for the West Midlands, South Staffordshire, north Worcestershire and north Warwickshire, operated by BBC Birmingham. Launched on 9 November 1970 as BBC Radio Birmingham, it broadcasts from central Birmingham on 95.6 FM, DAB and on the internet...

 series of concerts and became more successful in the regional area competitions, enough to be promoted to the third section.

Over the years a variety of Musical Directors have conducted and directed the fortunes of the band. Membership has depended mainly on a long serving nucleus of players supplemented by students from local schools and colleges.

The band appointed Kevin Short as Musical Director to take over from previous conductor Lionel Howden. After many years of service with the baton, Lionel has returned to playing and re-joined the band's trombone

Trombone

The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...

section while continuing to lead the 'Tudor Brass Ensemble' in their Sunday morning rehearsals at Hurst Hill.

External links

• City of Wolverhampton Brass Band