*
banner

Take Pride in brass

Half a century of a pioneering battle for equal rights will be celebrated with a special brass band concert in Boarshurst next month.

Pride
  The concert will celebrate the 5o year battle for equal rights

A concert celebrating half a century of the modern LGBT rights movement will be marked with a special concert in Boarshurst next month.

Fifty years ago, the LGBT community in New York City had become increasingly frustrated by the years of institutionalised persecution that they faced from local police amongst others. On the 28th June 1969, they fought back with a sustained protest lasting three days, and which marked the beginning of an organised LGBT rights movement.

Stonewall, named after The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, where the protest took place, is the UK charity that campaigns and lobbies for the equal rights and treatment of LGBT people.

Now Pride Brass, a group of LGBTQI+ players and supporters will join forces to celebrate those who have fought for equal rights ever since.

Shoulder to shoulder

Spokesperson Rob Greaves, a cornet player with Boarshurst Band, told 4BR: "We want to celebrate how far we have come as a community. The concert will also hopefully remind everyone of the need to stand shoulder to shoulder as we fight to maintain the rights that others still cannot enjoy in other areas of the world."

Pride Brass is the brain child of Anthony Longden-Kirk, a trombone player with the TCTC Group Band, with the long term ambition to support national Pride events throughout 2020. Profits from the concerts, which will be conducted by Matt Ryan, MD of the Flixton Band, will be shared equally between Stonewall and future Pride Brass initiatives.

Enthusiasm

Rob added: "There is such enthusiasm for Pride Brass from players up and down the country, that we felt waiting a whole year to get started was just too long.

We're delighted that Boarshurst Band supported us in offering us a slot at their popular Sunday night concert series.

The concert will be a fun way to celebrate the achievements and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community with our friends and supporters playing an eclectic mix of modern and traditional music."

The concert will be a fun way to celebrate the achievements and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community with our friends and supporters playing an eclectic mix of modern and traditional musicPride Brass

Time and date

The concert will take place on 1st September (8.00pm) at Boarshurst Band Club, and all are welcome.

Players wishing to support Pride Brass, should contact Pridebrassuk@gmail.com

People can donate to Stonewall at: https://web.stonewall.org.uk/public/donate/donate.aspxy

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Chris King

MBA, BMus(Hons), LRSM, AoBBA
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator, Compere, Band Trainer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd