h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

 The days of our brass band seem to be numbered. The 5A Riverland Brass has just over twenty members, the oldest is eighty six and the youngest ten, but despite this the average age would be 55. Some of these guys have been playing for fifty years. However, we are no danger to Grimethorpe Colliery or their cronies.

I have played the euphonium ( a sort of junior tuba) moderately badly for the last six years. It's a real buzz, and also ensures I will not suffer from Lurgi (cf The Goons.)

Unfortunately, brass band music does not sit well with Rockers, Rappers or those people who are too obtuse to realise country music is an oxymoron. It will be a sad day when we are too few or too old to play a rousing march underthis broad Australian sky.

That all depends if Grimethorpe ever go on a tour down under!

I used to play Euph myself, but had to switch because our principle trombone left and I was the only one with enough musical nous left to be able to play the daft instrument.

South Oz eh? Ever been to Kangaroo Island? Only saw 2 kangaroos myself and one of them was a pet! Seal bay was much more impressive - only problem was that there was too many tourists to each weary park ranger - poor girl had a terrible time keeping us out of the way of the seals.

If its any consolation, brass bands in England seem to have similar recruitment problems. Best of Luck.

The 5A Riverland Brass seem to be having the same sort of probs our band have had. We have often been beset with problems, such as recruitment, enthusiasm, etc. I've been with the band as drummer for 12 years now, and I've seen the band go from high in the 3rd section, down to nearly disbanding at the bottom of the 4th, and finally back up to the 2nd to where we are now.

It would be a shame if your band folded, the main consensus may feel that interest in the band has wained. Believe me, in this country (UK), there is no crowd puller as big as a good Brass Band! (Except perhaps female nude mud wrestling......) I can't imagine that Oz is any different.

Keep playing, keep going, make the people listen!!


Nicko