Did you know that within the area covered by the Sheffield post code there are around 30 well established brass bands many of whom have been in existence for over 100 years?

Long thought to be the domain of the male working class and having largely evolved out of the mining community, in the modern brass band you could easily find a company director playing alongside a plumber, or a nurse sitting next to a policeman.

Some of our home grown brass bands have nurtured players of international standing and many local bands themselves are of world renown. For the most part, although the brass players are amateurs and the bands non-profit making organisations; they could easily hold their own in any professional orchestra on any stage in Europe, but that’s not why they do it.

Brass band players love the music that they play, much of it is ‘traditional band music’ specifically written or arranged for the brass band format, but also there are a host of contemporary brass band composers who provide modern challenging pieces of music that is conspicuous by its absence in any other genre.

There is, however, a downside for all this home grown aptitude; during the last two decades there have been significant financial difficulties for many of the brass band sponsors and many of the businesses and corporations supporting our local talent have reduced or ceased their subsidies. The fact that there are still approximately 30 brass bands within the Sheffield area is a testament to their sheer determination. The recent TV series centred on Dinnington Colliery Band highlighted many of the issues affecting all our local brass bands and it took national television coverage and a very effectual Sue Perkins to drag them into the 21^st Century where they have now received just reward for their efforts.

But what of the lesser known local brass bands like Oughtibridge or Loxley Silver Band who, between them, have been in existence over 240 years? A look at either of their websites will show you what they are doing; they are providing a cultural service to the local Sheffield community and they, and others like them, deserve our support. Because, not only are they continuing to maintain and enhance a local tradition, they are nurturing and developing the lives of the younger members of our village-like community by providing the opportunity for them to learn to play a musical instrument, be part of a team environment, grow in confidence, increase their self-worth, have fun and enjoyment while creating outstanding music and ultimately put something back into our local community; how many other ‘hobbies’ can do all that?