Exhibition highlights brass band past and present

"If I wasn't in a band, I'm not sure what I would have been doing. Twiddling my thumbs at home, probably," says Adrian Austin.

The University of Huddersfield music student began playing a brass instrument aged 12.

"I actually started playing the viola in primary school but when I went to high school they couldn't find me a strings teacher, so they gave me a euphonium instead.

"I've been doing it for 15 years now."

Adrian's story is just one of many being told in a "world-first" exhibition at Heritage Quay in the town centre.

The exhibition 'That's Banding! 200 years of tradition and change', shows off items donated to the archive, believed to be the world's most extensive, over many decades, including concert programmes, photographs, trophies and hats.

A touchscreen plays memories of people involved in "banding" from across the country.

Austin's own experience is one of the more recent stories in a story stretching back about 200 years.

The young musician and conductor explains: "I think it's really important that people know about brass bands and come and watch us or give it a go themselves."

Sue Pope, from Brass Band England, wants other people to offer their experiences to the National Lottery-funded exhibition.

"You can bet your bottom dollar people have tons of stuff in their lofts and garages and don't know what to do with it," she says.

Pope explains that it is important to have a mix of voices to show brass bands are now more diverse - a particularly important point in her outreach work going into schools and music clubs.

"If we are encouraging people to take up a brass instrument its nice for people to see inspirational people who look like them and sound like them," she adds.

Kait Buchbaum is the archivist and exhibition curator.

She says that it is important to reflect a "vibrant, global culture that blends tradition with fresh creativity".

"Whilst bands and their members may change over time, the strong sense of community, contests, and shared heritage stays the same," she adds.

The exhibition will open on Saturday with exclusive tours of the archive and a Curator's Talk introducing the exhibition. It will remain at Heritage Quay until February.

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