The History of the world wide famous
"Besses Boys Brass Band"
The "infant" Besses Boys'
Band, conceived in the grim days of the Second World War, was born in
adversity before spirits were raised by the Normandy landings. Hopes were
quickly realised in contest successes and from these achievements grew
ambition that remained through 50 glorious years, a golden era in which the
band won national titles broadcast on radio and TV, made recordings, played
for royalty and toured Australia.
The band in 1945
Thirteen of the senior band's
players had been lost in the first six months of the 1939/45 conflict and in
the Moss Lane band room there was fears of a bleak future. So Nat Snape,
Fred Cowburn, Tim Galloway and Norman Dawson led a group which decided to
train young players.
Jim Cowburn, Roland Curless,
Harold Galloway and Stan Warburton were the first members of the 1943
learners' class which grew quickly and was recognised as Besses Boys' Band
on October 11th that year by the Alex Owen Brass Band Festival Committee,
organisers of a solo contest in Whitefield each year.
The boys played carols in
Whitefield streets at Christmas and Jim Wright who had directed the senior
band before the wai, was brought in as conductor before the boys' first
official engagement in July 1944.
From 1945 they won the British
junior championship for three years. They were barred in 1948 and they
returned to Belle Vue for two more victories before the contest ended. The
1950 victory was achieved under the baton of William Haydock following the
death of Mr. Wright.
The Band in 1953
The band was recognised on the
concert platform, too. They played under Charles Groves, John Hopkins and
Harry and Alex Mortimer they appeared in shows with Richard Murdoch, Tommy
Handley and Jack Train. There were also regular bookings for radio
broadcasts and in 1958 there was a TV appearance.
By this time many of the older
boys had moved to the senior band and the boys' fortunes fluctuated during
periods of rebuilding. But the "Peter Pan" band continued, unlike so many
other youth bands which changed name and identity as their players grew
older.
Willie Wood, a professional
musician who had directed the senior band became conductor in 1960 and the
boys produced a "78" record under his baton. Ten years later the learners,
tutor, Pat Edgar, took over. He had joined the boys within a year of its
fon?nation and played soprano in the senior band for almost 28 years. Pat
developed a busy concert diary and conducted the first of the band's
successful spring concerts at Radcliffe.
The Band in 1966
Barrie Chappell, who formerly
played tenor horn with the senior band, was appointed musical director in
1978. For 13 years Barrie, ably assisted by training band tutor Derek
McCulloch, continued rebuilding the boys' band which had a remarkable run of
more that 60 firsts among more than 100 contest prizes.
They were North West youth
champions for 12 years, playing at such venues as the Royal Albert Hall in
London finals and chalking up high placing each year. The best youth final
positions were second in 1982 and 1986.
Another national title was
clinched at last in 1987. That was the year when the band "fell between two
stools" at the area qualifying contest. They were shocked to fail for the
first time in the North West youth competition, but showed character and
ability later the same day to win the adult fourth section. Victory in the
Westminster Hall that October, was sweet indeed!
Invitations to European youth
contests followed along with promotion in the adult grades to section two
even before the introduction of the first section.
1987
Concert work, the bands
financial lifeblood was never neglected and a series of engagements were
played with conductor s like Jim Shepherd, Ifor James, Derek Southcott, Roy
Newsome and Gordon Higginbottom. In fact, Roy served as president for a time
and wrote "The three B's" march for a concert to commemorate the band's 40th
anniversary. Harry Mortimer was the guest conductor on that memorable
occasion and Brian Mather, an old boy who served 15 years as top cornet with
the senior band, was guest soloist. Later Alan Stringer, principal trumpet
with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, was another old boy
featured as guest soloist. He was just one of several players who became
professional musicians. Mark Wilkinson was among a stream of boys who joined
the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He was principal cornet when
the NYBB played a 1989 BBC Proms Concert.
Further highlights under
Barrie Chappell's leadership were to LP recordings, an appearance with Roy
Castle in the BBC TV Brass Beat series and a tour of Australia where the
band was complimented by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at the opening of
the British pavilion in Expo 88 at Brisbane.
The 1991 Christmas concert was
the last to be conducted by Barrie Chappell. Soon after, Steven Sharples,
was appointed conducter in 1992 and conducted the band for two Royal dates.
They played for the Queen in Bury and for the Princess Royal at Manchester's
G?Mex exhibition centre.
Some of the "Boys" in 2002
A trip to Scotland and a
concert in Dornoch Cathedral were arranged with help from John Whittaker an
"old boy" from Heywood who now works in the Sutherland music teaching
service and conducts "Ben Braggie Brass" at Golspie. Steven also led the
band which won the right to represent the North West in the re?organised
National youth championship final in 1993.
Arnold Duxbury was the
spearhead of the move to the new bandroom at Clarkes Hill in Prestwich and
is just one from dozens of people who have worked for the band. Secretary
Irene Grady is another and, looking back, her admission to the committee was
the first step to girls joining the band.
Ex?chairman Alan Bryan gave
strong leadership for several years and the loyalty of Fred Snape, son of a
founding member Nat, cannot be matched. Fred was appointed president in
appreciation of his many years as secretary, treasurer and chairman.
So many other names and
occasions come to mind but space limitations restrict full acknowledgement.
There was planning at long meetings, much lifting and carrying of equipment,
problems to solve and money to raise. And, for all the band's joy and
success there were also tiring rehearsals and disappointments. All these
efforts live in the memories of players and supporters who gave so much for
Besses Boys' Band.
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