Crying at Brass

Am I the only one but does listening to a brass band bring a tear to your eye? At Christmas I find it particularly hazardous on the mascara. I am doing my shopping, minding my own business when a brass band starts playing 'Away in a Manger' and indeed I am Away with the Tears. Throw in a choir of children from a local primary school and I am completely awash.

I don't know what it is. Perhaps it's the local tradition of brass bands which I find so appealing. They have often grown up around a colliery or a mill or a village. There is a shared connection. I love the fact that there is a mixture of people in the brass band from trendy teenager to old bloke. I appreciate the fact that these people come together to make music and enjoy themselves.

Perhaps it's purely down to the lovely mellow tones that trigger my tear ducts. I'm no music expert but a solitary tune from a brass instrument is very moving. Mind you I cry at the rousing anthems too. There is also a pride that wells up in me. Don't know whether that's a reflection of a tradition and skill done well but I love it.

I also rather like the fact that brass bands are so versatile and pop up anywhere. They can play outdoors in a park band stand or at your school fete, they can play on the hoof, marching and playing beautifully all at the same time, and they can give proper, professional concerts sat down. Now when was the last time you saw a full orchestra do all that.

There is an annual brass band competition near to where we live in Saddleworth and Tameside that celebrates brassy brass bands. It's held on Whit Friday in June. Bands come from all over the country, hop on a coach and visit any number of venues (must be twenty plus). They play a march, marching and perform their show-off-tune all al fresco, hop back on the bus and visit the next location 10 minutes up the road. They are judged at each venue. People come to listen, watch, have a pint, socialise, enjoy. It's a wonderful tradition dating back more than 100 years. What's especially refreshing is that it's open to everyone so the local school can compete against the best bands in the country.

I haven't been to the competition for years. Note to self - take a deck chair one Friday evening next June to a village in Saddleworth, buy a pint, sit back, watch and listen.