British Brass Band Offers A Few New Holiday Sounds

For a brassy, British take on music of the season, check out Spokane’s British Brass Band on Sunday at the new Mt. Spokane High School, 6015 E. Mt. Spokane Park Drive.

Thirty musicians make up this British-style ensemble, packed with cornets and euphoniums.

The beginning of this British tradition was in the early 1800s, when brass bands were formed to give the labor force something to do after work. The legacy continues in England, where all-amateur groups perform and compete at a very high level. A bit of the tradition was revealed in the recent movie, “Brassed Off.”

Michael Warner had a vision of a British-style band in Spokane which came to fruition three years ago. Since 1995, he has led the ensemble in a collection of concerts each year.

For the band’s “Mt. Spokane Holiday” concert, Warner has invited Richard Strauch to conduct. Strauch is new to the area, having become director of the Whitworth College wind ensemble this fall.

The Spokane British Brass Band will perform classics of the season, such as Victor Herbert’s “March of the Toys,” Beethoven’s “Turkish March” and Schubert’s “Ave Maria” performed as a euphonium solo. The band will loosen up for Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song,” “Three King Swing” and “Comin’ to Town” (as in Santa Claus is).

The concert begins at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults or $5 for students, available at the door, at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.

, DataTimes