Brass Bands Trivia Quiz

Answer: Coal Mining

Brass bands were originally formed as the poor man's orchestra. Mines, factories, and mills provided instruments to their employees to enable them to have a social outlet. Brass bands originated in England at the second half of the 19th century.

Answer: Yes

Realistically, it has only been in the late 1900's that women have become an acceptable part of the brass band world. There are still one or two bands that maintain the 'men only' rule that was the norm when women were not equal to men and didn't have the right to vote.

A well-known band that carries the male only tradition is the Grimethorpe Colliery band, who were featured in the movie 'Brassed Off' in 1996.

Answer: Salvation Army

The Salvation Army brass bands play works written by Salvation Army composers only as an extension of their commitment to the work of the Salvation Army. The development of community and university bands in America began around the 1880's when Perry Watson founded a brass band at the North Carolina State University.

Answer: 2

Out of a band of 25 brass players plus percussionists, just two play euphonium. A euphonium gives the band the soloist tenor voice and looks like a small tuba.

Answer: Saxophone

Although the saxophone is brass, it has never been part of a brass band. It is generally classified as a wind instrument rather than a brass one. This is because it is played on a reed like a clarinet and not on a brass mouthpiece like instruments in a brass band.

Answer: It is the only instrument that has a slide rather than valves

Unlike the other brass instruments, which use combinations of valves to change the pitch of the note being played, the trombone uses a slide.

Answer: Cup Mute

A cup mute is a type of mute that can be used by a cornet or trombone. The percussion section has everything from coconut halves (to mimic horses trotting), a tambourine, a full drum kit and a gong!

Answer: The Floral Dance

Terry Wogan loved this song and sang the words to it.... "Altogether in the floral dance!"

Answer: Yes

Many British migrants to Australia in the 19th century were mine workers or industrial workers, and they took with them the brass band tradition. Brass bands prospered in Australia and to an extent they were more popular than the bands in Victorian England.

Answer: A band can play all of these

The repertoire of a brass band nowadays includes marches, classical music, pop songs, songs from musicals, and pieces arranged especially for brass bands. If you get the chance, go and listen to one! I am sure you will not be disappointed! If you are interested in joining a band start your search at www.bandsman.co.uk.