The Brass Band Story
In July of this year, Trevor Herbert will publish his new book The Brass Band Story through the Yale University Press. Trevor Herbert was introduced to music in the junior brass band of the colliery where his father worked. His career has been divided between being a professional trombone player and academic life at the Open University, where he is now emeritus professor of music, and the Royal College of Music, where he is a research professor.
A lively and engaging history of the brass band in Britain and beyond
Brass bands have played a unique role in the cultural history of Britain. Amidst the industrial revolution, an
increasingly urban population turned to music for mass entertainment. Brass bands became intimately associated with working men and spread across the country at breathtaking speed. At their height in the late Victorian era, there were thousands of them.
Trevor Herbert reveals the story of these bands, from their working-class origins and the enormous popularity of
Victorian contests to their sophistication in modern times. It is a tale of the survival of tradition and the embrace of change. Victorian brass bands solidified communities and promoted shared local identities. As new modes of
popular culture posed existential threats in the twentieth century, they reinvented themselves. The model British
bands created is now replicated throughout the world.
This is a fascinating and revealing history of a much-loved aspect of Britain’s musical heritage.
Praise for the book
“The Brass Band Story is a delight, a fascinating look at a most British musical institution. An informative and
engaging telling of a movement that continues to shape music making around the globe.” — Douglas Yeo, formerly
of Boston Symphony Orchestra
“An excellent book, full of fascinating detail. Forensically researched and beautifully produced, it is a ‘must’ read for
anyone interested in the history and development of brass bands.” — Edward Gregson, Composer
“No one is more qualified to write such a book as this. Born in the heartland of brass band culture of the Welsh
valleys, Trevor’s journey took him from trombonist in the BBS SO to an academic of renown. I thoroughly endorse
this brilliant publication; informative, well written and a good read.” — Sir Karl Jenkins CBE FRAM ARAM
“An immediate must-have for brass enthusiasts and for general readers interested in this unique branch of music-
making. The accessible and clear narrative exudes passion and expertise in equal measure. Just brilliant.” — John Miller, Royal Northern College of Music
