*
banner

Bad Ass attitude is great news for charity causes

The great Bad Ass Brass has been making sure their Whit Friday prize winning successes have been well spent...

Bad Ass
  Bad Ass Brass has helped a number of charities through its unique approach to Whit Friday music making.

Bad Ass Brass, the Whit Friday scratch band whose street 'march-downs' have become a popular attraction at the event over the past few years, has revealed that they have donated nearly all their prize money from 2017 to charitable musical causes.

Over £800

Over the last two years the band has won over £800, most of which has been donated to youth bands, community bands with beginner groups, music therapy charities, the National Youth Brass Band, and the National Youth Children's Band of Great Britain.

Many members of the band are either busy professional players, teachers or are musicians that don't regularly participate in contesting. A sizeable majority are also National Youth Brass Band alumni.

Most successful

2017 was the most successful series of contests Bad Ass Brass has taken part in over the last four years; claiming podium finishes at Delph and Uppermill, and coming seventh overall on the Saddleworth circuit.

"Not bad from 40 minutes rehearsal in an outdoor car park!" MD and joint-organiser, Jim Lynch told 4BR.

Jim is a professional trumpet player and long-time member of the John Wilson Orchestra, and is currently in the pit with '42nd Street' in London's West End.

Terrific band

He added: "We've been able to assemble a terrific band each year and I'm grateful, as well as delighted that the quality has been so high.

We started in 2014 with a core team from the eight-piece Bad Ass Brass and some volunteers from Zone One Brass, and then built the band around that with the best players we could find."

Current members include session trumpet players Andy Greenwood and Danny Marsden, fellow John Wilson Orchestra member Jon Stokes on trombone and Phil Judge who is currently playing on 'An American in Paris'.

Also in the ranks are the likes of Ben Godfrey, Scot Bennett, David Nesbitt, Mark Frost, Martin Britt, Jonti Smith, Chris Binns and Josh Cirtina.

Then, when the cash prizes came in, donating it to those organisations was really a no-brainer. We did an online vote and it was unanimous to donate the prize moneyMike Poyser

Brilliant arrangements

The band is now famous for the brilliant arrangements it uses for the event — from 'Blueberry Hill' and 'The Carioca' to 'Well Git It' and last year's 'Whit Bit'.

One of the highlights this year was hearing Lee Rigg's Wardle Junior Blast perform.

"That was the moment when the importance of musical education became so obvious to us." tuba player and Wardle alumnus Mike Poyser told 4BR.

"Then, when the cash prizes came in, donating it to those organisations was really a no-brainer. We did an online vote and it was unanimous to donate the prize money."

Benefited

Other organisations that have benefited from the Bad Ass generosity have been the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain; National Children's Band of Great Britain; Parr (St Helens) Academy; Horbury Victoria Youth; Astley Youth; Wigan Youth Zone; Dobcross Youth; Over Wyre Brass; Music for All and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy

Photo credit: Gwenllian Davies

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    


Llangollen

International Eisteddfod victory for Welsh Youth

July 14 • Gwasanaeth Cerdd Gwynedd & Mon Senior Brass Band claims honours in the Community Band category at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.


Swiss National Youth

Live broadcast 50th celebrations for Swiss Youth Band

July 13 • You can enjoy the special anniversary concert of the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland and friends today.


LEEDS bEST OF bRASS

Leeds Best of Brass series launched

July 13 • Eight top level bands will be featured at Pudsey Civic Hall as part of the new season of 'Best of Brass' concerts.


Sir Karl Jenkins

Aldbourne to lead Armed Man celebrations

July 13 • The West of England Regional Champion will help lead the 25th anniversary celebrations of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' in two major concerts appearances this year with the composer.


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band

July 13 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a SECOND HORN. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd