Conductor Douglas Brown talks about Brass Band Week in Oxford, COSB, and our Summer Concert this Saturday.
The second national Brass Band Week will take place from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th July, and the City of Oxford Silver Band has signed up.
Brass Band Week is an annual event launched by Brass Bands England to raise awareness of the nation’s brass bands, which number of 700 in total from the Highlands of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall. This UK-wide festival of exciting band events will offer performances in parks, concert halls, pubs, clubs, fetes and on local high streets.
As part of this week long celebration, City of Oxford Silver Band will be performing at St Mary & St. John Church, Cowley Road, Oxford from 7.30pm. The 1 ½ hour performance will be feature music from the movies, folk tunes, and well-known pop songs, along with some exclusive traditional brass band music.
There will be something for everyone – from Batman and Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke, to a specially commissioned and beautiful piece telling the story of Icarus and his fall from the sky.
Musical Director Douglas Brown said,
“We are thrilled to be part of this amazing Brass Bands England initiative. We want people who may never have heard a brass band before to try something new and enjoy the fantastic range of music we have to offer.”
About Brass Bands England
Brass Bands England promotes, represents and supports brass band across the UK.
They are a voice for our bands and our players and shout about the life-enhancing benefits of this vital part of our culture.
They are one of Arts Council England’s Investment Principles Support Organisations. As part of this they provide support to the sector to excel in music-making, increase participation and connect with communities.
About the City of Oxford Silver Band
COSB is oldest brass band in Oxford. It can trace its history back to the 1840s with the formation of the Headington Brass Band. It thrived under various name derivations until, in November 1951 it became “City of Oxford Silver Band.”
COSB is a registered charity, with the objective to advance the education, appreciation and public benefit of the art of music and in particular, brass band music by promoting the study, practice and enjoyment of brass band music in all its forms through education, public performance and other musical activities across Oxford and the surrounding area.
COSB’s motto is Amicitia Per Musicam or Friendship Through Music. It aims to provide a welcoming environment for everyone, irrespective of age or musical experience. Over the years of its existence, COSB has amassed a massive 44 draw library of brass band music, and a substantial collection of brass instruments for members to use. It offers young people the chance to try to play an instrument their parents would never buy them on a whim, like the tuba or a bass trombone. Above all, it offers members the chance to play fantastic music regularly with other people and for other people in Oxford and the surrounding community.
COSB caters for all levels of brass banding from complete beginner through to accomplished players. The Community Band plays throughout the year at venues across the county. The Concert and Contest Band plays at local Oxfordshire, London and Southern Counties Regional and National Championship level. The band has qualified to compete in the National Championships of Great Britain in September 2025 in Cheltenham.