Tips on Hiring a Brass Band

The purpose of this page is to give guidance to those that are thinking about hiring a brass band for their event, the aim is to make hiring a brass band a positive contribution to your event. It is best to have a clear idea about what you want the band to do. Firstly let the band know what type of event it is; these are some of the events bands are asked to do:

A full concert, will there be a formal audience with seating, in which case you may wish to prepare a compere and a programme. Do you just want background music, for example a Fete. Often it is worth positioning the band near a refreshment tent, so that people can sit and listen with a cup of tea and a cake!. Is the band to accompany singing, in which case the bandmaster should liaise with choir/organist. Are there other musical groups taking part, consideration should be taken not to position them too close, or give specific times for performances for each group. Care should also be taken not to position the band too near to loudspeaker systems.

Usually Musical Directors will arrange their own programme, but if you would like a certain piece or type of music, please discuss this beforehand. Can you play ????? is sometimes  a more difficult request than you think as the band only carries a small amount of its musical repertoire to each event.

What to provide

Please provide seating, maximum 25 chairs. Chairs with arms make things difficult for brass players. Brass bands sit in a horse shoe formation, ie: three sides of a square, two rows deep. The band will require a room or area to store instrument cases whilst playing.

Bandsmen will need somewhere to park, and those with larger instruments and percussion will appreciate being able to load and unload close to the venue. We also require some sort of cover should the weather be wet, a marquee or gazebo is ideal, but please make sure that it is secure and won’t blow over in the wind. The band has just settled a major insurance claim when a metal framed gazebo fell on the tubas, luckily it was in the break so no one was hurt!

A brass band can make an event really come alive, so it is really worth paying for. For fetes and carnivals families of the band members may also come and boost your takings! Payment is required on the day of the event and cheques should be made payable to Amersham Band.

Hopefully this has assisted you in your booking of our band, should you have any further information that would be useful to others please do not hesitate to contact us.