The Brass Band of Huntsville was founded in April, 2001 and is comprised of 35 talented professional musicians from the North Alabama area who are dedicated to musical excellence and the advancement of brass band music. Members come from many varied professions such as university professors, high school teachers, engineers, scientists, ministers of music, editors, accountants, law enforcement and college students. During its short history, the band has performed more than 25 concerts, including Concerts in the Park, Panoply and concerts in area churches; accompanied the community chorus; and recently performed as guests of the International Trumpet Guild's Concerto Competition in Birmingham. Acclaimed trumpet soloists Phil Smith, principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, and James Watson of the London Royal Academy of Music were so impressed with the band's musical accomplishment that they have offered to return as soloists in future band concerts.
The brass band differs from a marching or concert band as there are no woodwinds. The rich, dark and mellow tone quality is because all instruments, except trombones, are conical rather than cylindrical bore in design, permitting the brass to produce its unique sound.
Brass bands have their roots in England in the 1800s when local foundries began forming their own bands as a type of after-hours activity for their workers. These bands became a great source of pride for the companies they represented and would compete for "best band" honors. The genre is still extremely popular in England; perhaps the most famous is the Black Dyke Mills band, James Watson, former conductor.
The all-brass band (with added percussion) spread to Canada and the U.S. in the late 1800s with the formation of Salvation Army bands. The Brass Band of Huntsville is the only brass band in the state of Alabama.
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About the Band 
