Are all the best bands from Yorkshire and Lancashire

[Andy_Euph]

When we talk about brass bands people nearly always link us to yorkshire and lancashire. I know that this is where some of the great bands are based but I was just wondering what people think...

Are all the best bands from Yorkshire and Lancashire?

I think at the moment, for the top section in particular the answer is yes but what do you think? Also do you think this may change over time and we see a band rise from another area to be a "big name" band?

However over the other sections I think other areas are just as good if not better than these two regions.

Enjoy!

 

[Dave Payn]

I think the standard is closer together in lower sections, providing the right bands get through the areas! Strange though that may sound, this harks back to the '2 adjudicators at the areas' thread. If it were consistent throughout the UK, I think we'd see the southern lower sections do better at the Nationals. I feel that (a) two heads (or three!) are better than one and that (b) when you've got one adjudicator trying to accurately place 21 bands as happened in the L&SC 4th section last week, there's more likelihood (IMHO) of a 'rogue' band getting through when a band who could perhaps do better at the finals don't make it (that's not necessarily a criticism of the adjudication - more the system!).

More challenging pieces for the areas would also, I think, bring the 'cream to the top' and then I think we'd see that the standard in lower sections is fairly similar throughout the UK. Top section, no question, however.

 

[PeterBale]

I've a feeling there are one or two folk in Cheshire and South Wales who may want to disagree with that statement :wink:

 

[yr_epa]

Some of the best bands in the country do seem to come from Yorkshire or Lancashire, but on recent results (especially Open '03 and Nationals '03), Whitburn and Tredegar both got second place in front of many well known bands (after saying that a band from Yorkshire won the Open and a band from the North West won the Nationals!).

Also we all seem to talk about the best bands being from the UK, but there are a few bands in Norway that are very good bands. Its a pity that bands from Norway and the UK do not get to compete on more regular occasions, other than the Europeans (then you have only got one Norwegian band and a few UK based bands).

I've also thought about the geographical aspects to the comments. If you look at the universities and colleges which specialise in brass bands (Salford, RNCM and Huddersfield to name a few) there does tendency for the bands in the areas of these colleges to be quite strong due to the number of brass specialists going there.

On the whole, a LOT of the best bands do seem to hail from Lancashire and Yorkshire, but spare a moment for some of the other great bands around the UK (Cory, Tredegar, Whitburn) and the foreign bands (Eikanger, Stavanger).

 

[Dave Payn]

I've a feeling there are one or two folk in Cheshire and South Wales who may want to disagree with that statement :wink:

Indeed, Cory and Tredegar should not be forgotten at top section level, but again, at lower section (typically 3rd/4th) I doubt if the standard is much different between any region -Wales, Scotland, Norway, whatever.

 

[Darth_Tuba]

Neither Foden's or Faireys are in Lancashire for a start. Then there's Cory, Tredegar, Scottish Co-op, etc. So no, not really.

 

[johnflugel]

If certainly think so: YBS, Fodens, Faireys, Dyke, B&R, Grimethorpe plus other bands who would all consistently be within the top 2-3 if they were in the North, Midlands, Welsh, London & SC etc.

There are other bands (Desford, Travelsphere, Alliance, Redbridge etc) who might feel they more than match the 'none big four' Northern counterparts, some of which I would agree with but on the whole the balance within the top section is firmly within the North: the only exception for me being Cory and Tredgar who would be in with a shout at the Yorkshire and North West areas.

John

 

[Accidental]

Depends how you define ALL and BEST I guess, but according to my dictionary the answer has to be no!

In the current 4br rankings, the top 3 bands are from Cheshire and Wales, there are "only" 4 Yorkshire bands, and none from Lancashire. You do the math! :lol:

Seriously though, I don't think anyone can dispute the concentration of better bands in Yorkshire and the North West (I think Lancs is narrowing it down a bit too much). I guess it all boils down to the good ol mine and works band traditions - not to mention the glut of good players who go to college in that area now.

 

[Aidan]

I think Lancs was meant to mean North West.

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

Are all the best bands in Yorkshire and Lancashire?



No... I don't think so...

 

[Steve]

I think it is fair to say there is a greater number of top quality bands in the north and yorkshire areas but there are other bands that can match them on their day (cory etc). This is probably because of the location of the decent music colleges/universities and the tradition of playing for one of the big name bands meaning the cream of the younger players naturally play for either bands local to the RNCM/Hudds/Salford etc or the big name bands. Few London colleges seem to prefer banders to orchestral player from what i can gather!!! I think the lower sections are going to be of a very similar standard come the nationals.

 

[Darth_Tuba]

In the current 4br rankings, the top 3 bands are from Cheshire and Wales, there are "only" 4 Yorkshire bands, and none from Lancashire. You do the math! :lol:

I'm probably wrong, but I'm pretty sure Heaton Chapel where Faireys rehearse is actually in Greater Manchester and not Cheshire. Leyland are the only Lancashire band in the top 10.

 

[Dolly]

No, Poynton is in Cheshire! :wink:

 

[nickjones]

Area's

every area has a stong bands , now everyonce in a while there will be a band with a totally different approach , sound , technique which will impress banding audience and adjudicators alike for example
CWS Manchester 1962 ( very organised and well drilled band )
Black Dyke 1972 - 1985 ( great sound , first use of pedals etc. )
SunLife 1990 - 1993 ( great soloists and consistant at major contests and great conducting team )
Desford 1987 - 1992 ( brilliant almost Orchestral Brass sound , listen to Energy 1991 RAH )
Cory 2000 - 2002
geographically most of the winners from the Nationals and Open are from N.West and Yorshire with a few fleeting apperances from Scotland , Wales.
but in these bands you have Scottish , Irish , Welsh and players drafted in from all parts of the UK...I am sure if you have a settled , happy band with a good conductor you can qualify from most area's .
the statement I am making is arn't we lucky to have so many good bands with influences from all over the uk..just because you are from the North West dont mean you are better than someone from the west of england( How many of the top bands in the stronger areas have a youth policy and teach there own players?) or it is easier to get someone from College or uni?this is what happens to a lot of bands from Scotland , wales and other parts of the uk.eg you spend time and effort on a player only to lose them .what would you say was better a band that pays a couple of grand out on deps and conductor who only gets together a couple of weeks before a contest . or a settled band with 120 plus members who have many jobs during the year , have a great support from the local community .

 

[Australian Euphonium]

Over here we get taught that the best bands are from England and thats that.

Personally I like YBS, Faireys and Eikanger and Stavanger. I think Brass Band Willebrook from Belgium are also capable of taking on and beating any band in the world.

 

[Accidental]

I'm probably wrong, but I'm pretty sure Heaton Chapel where Faireys rehearse is actually in Greater Manchester and not Cheshire. Leyland are the only Lancashire band in the top 10.

Greater Manc/Cheshire/whatever - the main point was, its NOT Lancashire! Cheshire wasn't a bad guess for a southerner!

I thought Leyland were no. 11 or 12, sorry! I'm assuming you'll go up a few slots when they put in all the area results too.

 

[beard_4b]

the ISB and BAYV Cory aren't from yorkshire! :x

 

[drummerboy]

I think Brass Band Willebrook from Belgium are also capable of taking on and beating any band in the world.

Weren't they beaten by YBS at the last Europeans?

the ISB and BAYV Cory aren't from yorkshire!

Whilst I agree that the Cory band of recent years has been very successful, I don't think I'm being rude by saying that the ISB aren't one of the top bands in the country. They serve a purpose for the SA, and have some very good soloists, but wouldn't compete against the very best of bands.

 

[VenusTromster]

Whilst I agree that the Cory band of recent years has been very successful, I don't think I'm being rude by saying that the ISB aren't one of the top bands in the country. They serve a purpose for the SA, and have some very good soloists, but wouldn't compete against the very best of bands.

I have to agree with that.

I would say that the best bands are based in Yorkshire and the North West, there are other good bands based around the country, but the majority are located in the same area.

 

[eckyboy]

I would probably say they are but Scottish Coop,Whitburn,Cory,Kirkie etc can match them and outwith the big 5 or 6 from Yorkshire then there are about 20 who could beat or a least match them without having the area and wealth of players to pick from.You only have to look on 4bars rest rankings to see they dont have a monopoly.