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CD Sleeve Essay

The Mossley Band Brief History

The Mossley Band is steeped in history, formed in 1841 as The Mossley Temperence Band, they won the very first British Open Championship at Belle Vue, Manchester in September 1853, where 16,000 people attended. The Band used a set of instruments invented and manufactured by Adolf Sax of Paris. In doing so, The Mossley Temperence Band set new standards in the playing of brass band music on their new saxhorn instruments. This started what still forms the basis of the modern brass band of today. What Mossley did first, many famous bands quickly followed.

Mossley Temperence had two more successes in The British Open, finishing in third place in 1855, and again in 1858. They had to wait over 40 years before they won the Championship again, and again they achieved a unique record in 1897 when they won The British Open Championship, attaining the highest points available – a record which still stands to this day. They won it under the baton of the famous conductor Alex Owen, who was considered at the time to be the very best there was. The band played Moses In Egypt by Rossini.

Between the wars the band was known as The Mossley Borough Band, and was responsible for launching many fine musicians. Amongst them was Frank Smith, who helped to form The Fairey Aviation Works Band, and became their first conductor.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, The Mossley Borough Band, like many others, had to put their instruments away for a while, but was reformed shortly after the end of the war under the leadership of the former Royal Horse Guardsman, Frank Andrews. Unfortunately at that time many of the Town’s youngsters had been attracted to other more established bands in the district, which led to the break up in 1954. However, with so much history and tradition in a town steeped in music, the band rose again and reformed only months later in 1955, this time under the baton of William Brown, a former conductor of The Stalybridge Band. When he resigned, The Mossley Band’s new, young cornet player, Derek Sanderson, took centre stage and another fine band emerged.

In only 4 years, the band rose from Section 3 to Championship Section, and in 1960 beat famous bands like Faireys and Fodens to qualify for the National Championships at The Royal Albert Hall in London. However, tragedy struck in 1962 when Derek Sanderson died suddenly, aged only 26 years. But the band bounced back, and in 1965 won The Grand Shield contest at the Belle Vue Spring Festival, which qualified the band to be able to compete in the September British Open Championships again, like their forefathers did. The band continued to progress, and in 1969 and 1970 were invited to play at the famous Edinburgh Festival, winning prizes at both attempts, conducted the first time by Drake Rimmer, and the second by Harry Mortimer OBE. They also took part in the evening Massed Brass Concert conducted by Harry Mortimer OBE.

In the 1970’s Mossley Band won the Radio Manchester Blow By Blow brass band competition twice. The finals took place at The Free Trade Hall, Manchester and were transmitted live on the radio. From their 1971 success, a live album was released on vinyl record, taken from the radio broadcasts. It was simply entitled The Mossley Band under the musical direction of John Harrison BBCM, and produced by Raph Gormley for BBC Radio Manchester. Mossley Band now entered into the country’s top 20 brass bands. It is interesting to note that Mossley Band actually won the first ever Blow By Blow competition, and the very last, which was in 1979 conducted by Harold Robinson.

In 1972 Mossley Band qualified for the WD and HO Wills Prestige Embassy Brass Band Finals which was held at The Royal Albert Hall, London, and from a poor draw (second band to play) finished in runner up position out of a field of twenty bands.

In 1974 the band purchased a building from the Local District Council. Now they had their own headquarters! Money was raised through fundraising, and a mortgage was taken out. This gave the band the security of practice rooms and a base from which they could grow.

In May 1979 the lower floor of the building was made into a social club, and was formally opened by Robert Sheldon, the local M.P. at that time. Any profits from the club were put back into the band, a practice that still applies today. In the same year the band approached J.W. Lees Brewery for sponsorship and became known as The Mossley J.W. Lees Brass Band. When in the early 1990’s the sponsorship ended, the band reverted to its’ earlier title of The Mossley Band, which it is still known as today.

The band qualified once again for the National Finals in the late 1970’s, but still continued to be a local community band, which is something they have been proud to be throughout their history, performing in Park concerts, Local Whit Walks, Armistice Day Parades, Carnivals, Contests and Concerts all in the local area. This forms the mainstay of their work.

In 1993, under the baton of Roy Waite, the band gained third place in the North West Regional Championships, but unfortunately was one point away from qualification into the National Finals. The progress the band had made in twelve months was outstanding.

Good results in various competitions were achieved in 1994 and 1995, but 1996 was a special year for The Mossley Band as they finished runners up in the North West Regional Championship and therefore qualified for the National Finals which were held that year in Cardiff. Also, due to their previous high placed results in The Regional Championships, they were delighted to be promoted to the first section.

More good news was to follow in November 1996. Mossley Band received a Lottery Fund Grant, which meant they could replace approximately half of the band’s instruments and also purchase some more percussion equipment, which was much needed for the higher level of contests and concerts the band was now performing. The grant was invaluable in helping Mossley Band to progress, and the older instruments went to help the younger players and beginners.

In December 1999, long standing conductor Roy Waite left the band and a young man called Simon Stonehouse stepped onto the podium. He seemed an obvious choice, having just retired from Faireys Band where he had played flugel horn for ten years, and was married to Helen Johnson, who was Mossley Band’s flugel horn player. From the moment Simon took over, things started to click. By March 2000, Mossley Band had qualified for the Milennium National Championship to be held that year at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Unfortunately they were pipped at the post to finish National First Section Runners Up. The following spring, the band was crowned North West Area Champion, and once again qualified for the National Finals.

In August 2002, the band was invited to appear in the massed band at the closing ceremony of The Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Although heavy rains came down threatening to spoil what was a brilliant display, they were not downhearted. Later the same year, following a very successful period with the Ashton-Under-Lyne Band, Mossley Band were pleased to secure the services of Martyn Evans as their new Musical Director. Under his baton they became the Tameside Open Champions in 2004.

To date, the band continue to compete in the Championship Section, and regularly present concerts locally and nationally.

We hope that you enjoy the music on this CD recording.

David Johnson, Chairman, June 2005