Brass Bands - C/D

initial vinyl copies of Pale Saints' 'In Ribbons' came with a 7" of two of their songs played by the Tintwistle Brass Band. very good it is too.

I played trombone in a handful of different (english) brass bands around saddleworth between the ages of about 10 and 18. A lot of the time, we played a lot of horrible arrangements of contemporary pop hits, classic showtunes, and reworked folk songs. BUT. There was also a lot of very good (contemproary, progressive, not remotely oom-pa-pa) stuff written especially for brass, which people rarely get to hear outside those circles. I'd point anyone interested towards Eric Ball, Gilbert Vinter, Elgar Howarth and, for most of my favourite things, Philip Sparke. All listed here:

http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/bbcomp.htm

I don't see Phil Frazier, Tyrus Chapman, Kermit Ruffins, or Tuba Fats on that list of composers of "original works for brass band". :>

(I'm just playing, I always forget about the Brit brass band thing)