Spotlight on....Sheffield Region Brass Network
This month we had a chat with new Classical Sheffield members - the Sheffield Region Brass Network - to see find out what they do, who they support and why they've joined Classical Sheffield!
1) Describe what SBN does in one sentence...
The Sheffield Region Brass Network is a not-for-profit organisation established to increase the profile and visibility of brass bands in the Sheffield City Region through Information, Education and Advocacy. The Sheffield City Region includes: Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire District, Rotherham and Sheffield. (Sorry that was two sentences!)
2) What services do you offer?
The Sheffield Region Brass Network facilitates regular networking and information meetings between bands and provides relevant online support where available. We've held events about a wide range of topics including Fundraising, Marketing, Audience Development and Safeguarding.
We've had workshops on writing press releases, and we often invite speakers along to tell us about their work and organisations, such as Brass Bands England and Ian Naylor of the Sheffield Music Education Hub.
3) How long has the organisation been running?
The Sheffield Region Brass Network was originally established just over 7 years ago in 2013 by Rachel Veitch-Straw, David Morris and Stuart Young, and is now managed by Sophie Anderson, Joy Newbould and Stuart Young.
4) How many bands do you support?
There are over 50 brass bands within the Sheffield City Region, many of whom also have associated training or community bands. At the Sheffield Region Brass Network, we try to promote as many of the region’s bands as possible both via our social media channels, but also when we regularly speak with other local, regional and national music organisations.
5) What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Seeing all the region’s brass bands getting back to playing live music to live audiences with live musicians of course!
6) Do you have a favourite brass band piece?
Stuart - Gabriel Faure's 'Pavane' arranged by Gordon Langford and played here by one of our region’s bands: Grimethorpe Colliery Band: https://youtu.be/zMVXq9jalao
Sophie - I'd have to say Isaiah 40 by Canadian composer Robert Redhead, commissioned for the 1996 National Brass Band Championships, and I would particularly recommend the Grimethorpe Colliery Band's recording under Major Peter Parkes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tDYB-s3r5U
Joy - One of my favourite band pieces is played here by the other fantastic South Yorkshire Band - Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (affectionately known as Frickley and who definitely give Grimethorpe a run for their money!) It is their 2016 winning performance of Edward Gregson's 'Of Distant Memories' at the annual British Open Brass Band contest in Birmingham's Symphony Hall. Not a great quality recording but a superb piece written to pay homage to the great brass band composers of yesteryear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOVVnoU81T8
7) What attracted you to join the Classical Sheffield membership?
Brass bands are a long-established and integral part of Sheffield's musical community and we all need to work together to provide more music to more people in more places, so we're looking forward to getting involved with all Classical Sheffield has to offer for brass bands.
