Time for Brass:
Manx Radio
97.2, 89 and 103.7FM and 1368AM
www.manxradio.com

If you include the junior or training sections of an adult band giving concert performances in their own right, the Isle of Man can claim to support no fewer than eleven bands and, as I write, another is in process of formation.

80,000

How many communities of some 80,000 people anywhere in the world can claim this level of involvement?

The only place I have come across personally that comes anywhere near is the Faroe Islands.

And it is not only numbers but also quality; Manx Concert Brass compete in the national First Section and are knocking loudly on the door of Championship; Douglas Town on the strength of their Third Section performances at Blackpool and Harrogate are on the brink of promotion, while Ramsey Town turn in consistently good Third Section results.

Add to this the fact that another one, possibly two bands could do well in the lower sections if they were inclined to compete.

Massive contribution

Brass Bands in the Island make a massive contribution to the leisure time of adults and young people alike.

Ramsey and their juniors, the Neptune Street Nippers, stage a total of some seventy players as do Manx Concert Brass and Manx Youth Band while Ballafesson Brass, the junior arm of Rushen Silver, turn out in similar numbers.

Tribute to youth

So this week’s programme broadcast on the Island’s National Day, July 5th, is my tribute to the players, the conductors, the voluntary tutors of the next generation of bandsmen and, of course, the parents who make it all possible.

5th July:

1. Manx National Anthem
W.H.Gill
Massed Bands of the Isle of Man

2. Knight Templar
George Allen
Manx Concert Brass

3. Circus Suite (1st Movt.)
Stuart Johnson
Onchan Silver Band

4. Virtuosity
Kenny Baker arr. Peberdy
Ramsey Town Band
Cornet Soloist: Illiam Quane

5. Island Seascapes (2nd and 3rd Movts.)
David Ellis
Massed Bands of the Isle of Man

6. Pulrose Bridge
Ken Mitchell
Douglas Town Band

7. Hunt the Wren
trad Manx arr. John Kinley
Rushen Silver Band

8. Cortege from 'Mlada'
Rimsky Korsakov arr. Gordon Langford
Rushen Silver Band

9. Ticket to Ride
Lennon and McCartney arr. Alan Fernie
Manx Youth Band

10. Fanfare and Soliloquy
Trevor Sharpe
Manx Concert Brass and Manx Youth Band

11. Hyfrydol
Ramsey Town Band

12. Ballafesson March
John Kinley
Rushen Silver Band

13. Ellan Vannin
Manx traditional
Rushen Silver Band