Historic Brass Society

Listen as our own Dr. Joanna Hersey, HBS Secretary, discusses the family band and much more, in this episode with The Early American Brass Band Podcast. Dr. Hersey’s research into the Dungill Family Concert Company and the other groups she mentions in this episode was published in her article The Entertainment Value of Novelty: Women Brass Performers on the Vaudeville Stage, which can be found in Volume 20 of our Journal. https://rss.com/podcasts/theearlyamericanbrassbandpodcast//

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS Contact: Sandy Coffin [email protected] The Historic Brass Society will be hosting a Virtual Symposium, "Pond Life: Crosscurrents over the Atlantic" from May 24-26, 2021, focusing on the exchange and cross-pollination of ideas between Britain (including continental Europe by way of Britain, and the British Empire) and the Americas. Presentations and discussion sessions will be held online along with livestreamed performances.... We invite proposals, due by Friday 19 February 2021 (date stamped), for presentations of up to 20 minutes, including papers, lecture recitals, musical performances, instrument demonstrations and shorter presentations (please indicate timing) relating to: ancient sound tools, modern instruments and sound exchanges chamber music and brass ensembles British jazz and American influences 19th Century performance practices and pedagogy repertoire, composers and performers brass instrument design and development publishing and manufacturing Proposals should include an abstract of 250 words, a 75-word biography of each presenter (or an ensemble biography) and email contact information for a response, which will be forthcoming by 19 March 2021. To avoid technical issues during the Symposium, we anticipate using pre-recorded presentations with live discussion sessions to follow immediately. We encourage the use of the full range of possibilities available in a recorded presentation. Registration will be free, although required for presenters or participants; details will be provided in March. Please email proposals as attachments (PDF preferred) to Sandy Coffin at [email protected] Additional information at: www.historicbrass.org

Alan Lumsden (left in photo) passed away peacefully on the 30 September 2020. An exceptionally versatile musician on a large number of early brass and woodwind instruments, he was a founding member of the London Trombone Quartet, the London Cornett and Sackbut ensemble, and the London Serpent Trio. His obituary has been posted on our website: https://www.historicbrass.org/1/6809-alan-lumsden-1934-2020

REMINDER: Members are reminded that nominations for the 2021 Monk Award must be received by 30 January. Nominations must comply with the procedures outlined on this site under 'Awards'.

The Historic Brass Society will host a Virtual Symposium on "Pond Life: Crosscurrents over the Atlantic" May 24-26, 2021, focusing on the exchange and cross-pollination of ideas between Britain, Europe and the Americas, with topics including: the development of the brass quintet British Jazz and American influences instrument designs and manufacturing... repertoire, composers, performers and publications 19th-century performance practices. Scheduled events include: a panel discussion on The Development of the Brass Quintet and Brass Chamber Music moderated by John Miller with Allan Dean, Ray Mase, John Wallace, Simon Hogg and others a session on The History and Development of British Dance Bands by Dr. James Nott (University of St. Andrews) with a concert by the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra led by Richard Michael (jazz educator) Highlights of the Webb Collection and Brass Archives of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Arnold Myers a performance by The Wallace Collection of original 19th-century small brass ensemble music played on period instruments from the RCS collections The full Call for Presentations (due 19 February 2021), as well as additional information and updates about the Symposium, can be found at www.historicbrass.org