Based in the South East of England near the coastal towns of Dover, Folkestone and the historic city of Canterbury.
Deal based Betteshanger Brass Band formed in 1932 by miner George Gibb and his colleagues as a tool for relaxation after their days toil underground. The Band can now be found at the 'Betteshanger Social Welfare Sports Club' situated at the Welfare Sports Ground, Cavell Square, Mill Hill, Deal, Kent.

A friendly, active, contesting band keen to encourage new players, we operate an open door policy for visitors and players alike. We practice every Monday and Thursday from 1915-2115, so if you can play a brass instrument please come along.

Betteshanger Brass Band can often be heard in parks or bandstands but are equally at home performing for private or commercial functions.

The full band consists of approximately 26 members depending on the music and percussion required. We will be happy to discuss your requirements, but before contacting us please consider alternative dates, your budget, the type of music required

Karen Griffiths, Band Secretary 01304 361902

Alternatively email:- band@betteshanger.org 
Brass band, cornet, flugel baritone, euohonium, baritone tuba, soprano cornet, brass band music, brass band instruments, tenor horn

 

What is a Brass Band?

Brass bands in the British tradition are limited to cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, tubas (known as basses in brass bands), and percussion; but not trumpets or french horns, since they are orchestral and Concert band instruments.

Most bands compete against each other in contests and are graded according to their results from Championship Section (being the highest) to 4th Section, with a separate Youth Section (usually up to and including 19 years of age). The grading of a band can also be indicative of the commitment required, be it a once a week engagement for 4th Section, or 3 or more times a week for the Championship Section bands.

Competitions among bands usually consist of a performance of at least one of the following: a test piece (which may be set by the contest organisers or chosen by the band), a march, a hymn, or an entertainment selection. In British National Championships, only one - usually newly written - test piece will be performed by all bands. The most important contests, which are all held annually, are the British Open (held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham), the Nationals (held at the ICC in Harrogate and the Royal Albert Hall in London) and the All English Masters (held annually at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge).

The instrumentation used in brass bands is:

* Cornet in Eb (called a soprano cornet)
* Cornets in Bb (solo(x4), repiano, 2nd(x2), 3rd(x2))
* Flugelhorn in Bb
* Tenor Horns in Eb (solo, 1st, 2nd)
* Baritones (Treble Clef Bb) (1st, 2nd)
* Tenor Trombones (Treble Clef Bb) (1st, 2nd)
* Bass Trombone (Bass Clef)
* Euphonium (Treble Clef Bb)(x2)
* Eb Bass (x2)
* Bb Bass (x2)
* Percussion (x2/3)