The city of Liverpool has long been known as a home to creative and innovative people. The Victorian era saw the rapid growth of industries such as textiles, food, brewing and construction. This in turn brought with it a boom in demand for houses, hotels, shops and other services catering to these industries.
At this time, many working class people came together to form mutual aid societies or friendly societies that provided social support in times of need and also offered group insurance policies at affordable rates. These societies played an important role in the lives of the working class and functioned as an important form of networking for members looking for employment or to rent accommodation.
Why brass bands emerged in cities like Liverpool
During the Industrial Revolution, when people immigrated to the city for work and were eager to fit into their new communities, brass bands were an ideal means of communication and participation. They provided an excellent means of networking, bringing people from different walks of life together, and were also a fantastic way for people to express their identity and show pride in their heritage.
Today, brass bands are still used in this way, but they have also grown to encompass a wide range of musical genres and styles, including jazz, rock and pop music, but brass bands have been a huge tradition in the city since the mid-19th century, and their long history is reflected in their rich and colourful culture.
Brass bands have a long and illustrious history, starting in the 18th Century. The first record of a brass band was in 1735 when the British Army formed a ‘cornet band’. In Britain, brass bands were mainly used for military purposes up until the middle of the 19th Century. By the 1850s, there were more than 500 brass bands operating in Britain - which is quite remarkable when you consider that the population of the country at that time was only around 30 million.
The growth of the brass band movement was spread across the country and had its roots in the working class. Unlike the middle and upper classes, many of whom played orchestral instruments such as the violin, brass bands were great spectator attractions and could be performed in a variety of different locations. They were an affordable way for people to enjoy music and they also offered employment opportunities to many people in this era who would not otherwise have had an opportunity to earn a decent wage.
The growth of the popularity of brass bands in the 19th Century has been attributed to a number of factors including:
- the increased availability of instruments and sheet music for brass instruments
- the growth of music education in schools
- the growth of working men’s clubs
- the growth of pathfinding and exploration
- the growth of philanthropic organisations and charities.
The emergence of the Merseyside Police Band
The Liverpool City Police Band was formed in 1853 and is believed to be the oldest surviving municipal police band in the world. The band initially performed in public concerts in the city and was also used to accompany the Chief Constable when he made his annual rounds of the districts and on ceremonial occasions.
In 1867, the band was invited to perform at Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and two years later were invited to perform at Buckingham Palace as part of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra).
In 1879, the Chief Constable formed the Merseyside Police Silver Band to replace the City Police Band, which had outgrown the City Hall. In 1885, the Silver Band became the Merseyside Police Training Band, which continued to perform at public events and accompany the Chief Constable on his rounds.
The Liverpool Co-operative Bands
In 1886, the Co-operative Bands of Liverpool were formed and consisted of four primary bands that played for community events and on weekends for a fee. The band members were self-employed and were paid a percentage of the money the band made. As the reputation of the bands grew, they started to travel outside of Liverpool, playing at various events, including sports matches and political rallies.
By 1909, there were 10 different Co-operative Bands in Liverpool, including the Central Co-operative Band, the Central Co-operative Silver Band, the Waterloo Co-operative Band, the Alexandra Co-operative Band, the Kensington Co-operative Band, the Toxteth Co-operative Band, the Seaforth Co-operative Band, the Bootle Co-operative Band and the Kensington Co-operative Silver Band. The Co-operative Bands of Liverpool grew in popularity and in 1911, were invited to play at the coronation of King George V.
19th Century Brass Bands for Employment and Advertising
In the 19th century, many of the Co-operative Bands of Liverpool were also used for advertising purposes. Malls and shops would hire bands to stand outside their businesses and play for passers-by to draw more people inside. Many of the bands were also hired to play at hotels, taverns and halls during special events like dances, ladies’ nights and sports matches, usually on a part-time basis.
he popularity of brass bands in the 19th Century provided a number of advantages for employers who hired brass bands to play at their events. In addition to providing entertainment, brass bands also conveyed a sense of professionalism and a strong image of authority. Brass bands were highly effective in advertising for businesses.
The popularity of brass bands in the 19th Century also led to the growth of a number of businesses that made instruments, music sheets, clothing and other items related to brass band culture. It should also be noted that there were also many brass bands in the 19th Century that were not affiliated with any employer. These bands were largely made up of members of the working class who just came together to make music as a hobby.
Decline of the Liverpool brass bands
The use of brass bands has come under criticism in the recent years, with some people arguing that the presence of brass bands at public events creates an "aggressive" and "unpleasant" atmosphere. The use of brass bands at sports matches and political rallies has also been criticized and has led to some restrictions on their use in public spaces. The popularity of brass bands has also declined over the years, and in recent decades, many bands have disbanded or have struggled financially. Some of them have also changed their approach, incorporating more pop and rock music into their repertoire and incorporating other instruments into the band.
Summary
While many people associate the sound of brass bands with the English countryside, the Northern tradition of brass bands has a long history in the city of Liverpool, where it has played a significant role in the lives of many people in the working class. The popularity of brass bands in Liverpool has declined in recent years, and while some people enjoy the sound they produce, others find them to be an unpleasant addition to public events. While not many bands remain active in the city today, the tradition of the Liverpool brass band is something that will always be associated with the city.