Chris Helme
Willie Barr will be remembered by many older readers as one of the finest and most frequently heard cornet soloists on the radio during the 1950’s and 60’s. My own recollection of this brass band legend from north of the border was when I first heard one of his solo performances of Gregor J. Grant’s composition The Flying Scot on a 1967 Scottish CWS recording – cornet playing of the very highest standard.
John Nicholas Klohr (July 27, 1869 – February 17, 1956) was a composer of band music. Klohr was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. A graduate of the Cincinnati public schools, Klohr set upon a career in music, especially vaudeville. He was a vaudeville trombonist by trade, but also performed as a member of Cincinnati's musical life. He played in the Syrian Temple Shrine Band, led by fellow composer Henry Fillmore. From 1921 to 1926, Klohr was a trombonist in Henry Fillmore's concert band. He was a member of the Syrian Temple for over 50 years, as well as a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Klohr was also an early member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and worked as editor of the band and orchestra department of the John Church Company, a music publisher in Cincinnati. Klohr died of a heart attack in 1956, and was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cincinnati.
He wrote almost 50 compositions most being marches - His most famous march was The Billboard which he wrote 1901 This is a is a circus march and was dedicated to the Billboard music-industry magazine. This march opens our show and is played by the Sun Life (Stanshawe) Band conducted by Roy Newsome in 1979.
This poor quality photograph is the only one I have found of John Klohr.
The centre of Hove Edge from the 1907 OS map. Whilst many people now spend hours and often years researching their family history, I find it more interesting to research the history of a house. Looking at this map you can see the vast open greenfield sites and the odd one or two shafts.
Brighouse and Rastrick Band MD: Allan Withington
Soli Brass MD: Jan de Haan
Foden's Band MD: Michael Fowles
Cory Band MD: Philip Harper
Black Dyke Band MD: Professor Nicholas Childs
Doyen: DOY CD377
I was asked in December 2007 if I would like to produce and present a weekly brass band programme. Having been a player in brass bands for almost 50 years and having held various positions in bands from librarian to concert secretary. Having written and had published brass band histories and nostalgia for many years I jumped at the chance and did not need to be asked twice - Sunday Bandstand first came to the public's attention on the 17 December 2007 - 10 years this month.
Having played some 10,000 piece of music since then the programme now has listeners in many parts of the world and the numbers continue to grow.
The show is always pleased to hear from listeners whether it be to make a request, send a copy their band's latest CD or just a couple of tracks from it to be played on the show - listeners often contact me just to say hello and have a chat.
On behalf of everyone at Sunday Bandstand we wish you the very best for 2018.
I left Victoria School in 1958 and had my interview for a job as a junior grocery worker in the Co-op office on Hangram Street with the Co-op grocery manager Floyd Bottomley. The interview must have gone well for me, he would have been impressed to see my prefects badge I was wearing, so much so I got the job.
Hello Everyone - welcome to our Christmas Eve edition of Sunday Bandstand. We have two hours of festive music featuring many of the usual favourites at this time of year with some others you may not have heard before or may be it was a long time ago. The bands are from around the world with some our own top draw bands from here in the UK and as always we bring you some of the best soloists in the business.
Don't forget if you have a favourite piece of Christmas music or a question about the world of brass bands I would be interested to hear from you - you can always contact me through my email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Here is my Christmas quiz - Two weeks ago I told you about a new book written by the legendary tenor horn player Gordon Higginbottom. The books tells the story of the fascinating musical life Gordon has led. To win a copy of this wonderful 260 page book I need you to answer one question.
Question: Gordon played with many of the biggest named UK brass bands in the brass banding world - he then went on to play with a very famous brass ensemble ...............
Who was the ensemble named after....?
I have three copies of Gordon's book.
Entries by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if there are more than three winning entries the first three drawn from the winning entries will be deemed as winners. Closing time for the competition is midnight 27 December (UK time)
Good luck and enjoy the show.....
Thank you to all those that entered the quiz - Three winners were drawn out of the hat: 1) Chris in Tyne and Wear UK 2) Leo in The Netherlands and 3) Ray in Staffordshire UK ....
Band Dell’esercito Italiano - (The Italian Army Band)
MD: Capitano Mo Antonella Bona
Label: BAM 15701 - 2015
The death of Frank Bryce who will always be associated with Besses o'th Barn Band was reported widely in the brass band press today.
