Besses o' th' Barn Band

29/03/2026

https://youtu.be/BBt0ex1uxN8

Phil Shaw passed away 27th March 2026. This Tribute comprises:Heartbreaking words from Jackie, his wife of 44 Years who he met as a teenager through Brass Ba...

01/03/2026

Good evening all,

Back from Besses o' th' Barn Band, and what a good day at the contest.

There’s something about walking into Besses o’ th’ Barn Band’s spiritual home that reminds you this movement has deep roots — not just in history, but in people. Yes, the band can trace its story back to 1818. But history on its own does not play a note.

People do.

A special word for Jacob and Helen. The hours you don’t see. The scores marked up. The stopping and starting. The patience. The belief. Conducting isn’t waving a stick — it’s carrying responsibility. Thank you both for the hard graft.

And to the players …especially when we were down to 12 at times for rehearsals.

Twelve.

No hiding place. Every entry exposed. Every breath shared. Every mistake owned together. That’s commitment you cannot measure on an adjudicator’s sheet.

On the day we had 24 players who had besses interests at heart.

We came 9th.
We stayed in the 3rd Section.

On paper, that’s a statistic.

In reality, it’s rehearsals after long days at work. It’s juggling family life. It’s turning up when it would be easier not to. It’s listening to each other. It’s learning to trust each other. For every single point awarded, there is practice. There is sacrifice. There is community.

Bands don’t survive because they were founded in 1818.

They survive because on a wet Tuesday night, someone still unlocks the bandroom.
Because chairs are still set out.
Because music is still placed on stands.
Because people still choose to belong.

And that is the real result.

On Tuesday we start again — or rather, we continue. Survival isn’t dramatic. It’s consistent. It’s ordinary. It’s faithful. One rehearsal at a time. This year, and into next.

If you want to make music.
If you want to be part of something bigger than yourself.
If you want belonging as well as brass.

Our bandroom door is open.

See you Tuesday.

25/01/2026

It was was an honour and privilege to go and play for James (Jim) Murray today.

May the memories continue

Besses o' th' Barn Band

Cornet – Besses o’ th’ Barn Brass Band

Through years of service, breath and brass,
His cornet’s voice rang clear and true;
A faithful sound through change and time,
Steadfast in all he strove to do.

In contest hall and village square,
In hymn and march, in soft refrain,
He gave his gift without demand,
The music richer for his gain.

At Besses o’ th’ Barn his notes remain,
Woven where band and brotherhood stand;
A lasting echo, proudly played,
By Jim Murray’s heart and hand.

Tony Rogers
Chairman

11/01/2026

So where has the History of Besses o' th' Barn Band Besses o' th' Barn BandBesses o' th' Barn Band history gone?
The instruments, the percussion, the mouthpieces and mutes, the music itself.
Not a single marching bass drum remains.
Out of nearly 200 years of history, this photograph shows all that’s left on display — a handful of trophies.

17/12/2025

Besses o' th' Barn Band – A Year in Review

The past year has been a defining one for Besses o’ th’ Barn Brass Band — a year marked not just by performances and projects, but by people, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to our community.

We welcomed new players into the bandroom, strengthening both our sound and our sense of belonging. Seeing musicians grow in confidence and musicianship has been one of the quiet successes of the year, reminding us that the future of the band is built rehearsal by rehearsal.

Under the experienced and inspiring direction of Martin Gernon, the band continued to develop musically, including preparation for and performance at the Red Admiral Contest, where hard work, discipline, and teamwork were on full display.

Beyond the contest stage, the band embraced concerts that mattered. Our Black History concert was a powerful and thoughtful programme, using music to reflect, educate, and celebrate. Conducted by Lee Dunkley in remembrance of Duncan Beckley.
The Remembrance concert, enriched with poems and reflective pieces, created moments of stillness, respect, and shared memory — music serving its deepest purpose.

Community remained at the heart of everything we did. Band in the Park concerts, including those conducted with confidence and flair by Jason Smith , Jacob Hickson and and Helen Butchart brought music directly to people, creating accessible, joyful experiences in shared spaces. From September 2025, their conducting has been nothing short of brilliant, and a real highlight for both players and audiences alike.

Behind the scenes, bandroom improvements have enhanced our rehearsal environment, creating a space that reflects the pride and care invested by those who use it week in, week out.

But above all, this year belongs to the players. Their commitment — to rehearsals, to performances, to each other, and to the wider community — is what keeps Besses strong. Whether on the contest stage, in the park, at commemorative events, or community engagements, the band continues to show up with professionalism, heart, and generosity.

As we look ahead to the next 12 months, there is much to be excited about: new concerts, new music, and new challenges, alongside the return of some really old favourites that remind us where we’ve come from.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the guest players who have supported the band throughout the year. Your time, talent, and willingness to step in made a real difference — and did not go unnoticed.

Besses o’ th’ Barn Brass Band moves forward with gratitude, confidence, and optimism — rooted in tradition, open to growth, and committed, as ever, to making music for and with our community.

25/11/2025

11 Days to Go till Christmas Fest with the Friends of Parr Fold Park!🥳

📆Date: Saturday 6th December
⏰Time: 3PM - 5PM
📍Location: The Green at the back of The Pavilion at Parr Fold Park

🎄Free Craft Activities
🎄Free Face Painting
🎄Free Balloon Art
🎄Raffle
🎄Crafts for a Donation
🎄Festive Refreshments - Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

A kind request if people can bring cash as some items may be cash only.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the amazing Besses o' th' Barn Band.🎺

The Pavilion at Parr Fold Park Café have kindly agreed to stay open longer as well during the event which is fantastic.🥰

Funding for the event has been provided by Duchy of Lancaster , ForHousing Salford and Forever Manchester. 🙂

We look forward to seeing you all!

22/11/2025

From Tayo Aluko
I would like to single out the Besses o' th' Barn Band Besses o’ th’ Barn brass band for particular mention and special thanks. The oldest brass band in Britain, it had first played Coleridge-Taylor’s music in the early 1900s and, despite having never had a Black person in their ranks since its founding in 1818, they determined to find one to conduct them and also to commission a special arrangement of a Coleridge-Taylor song for Black soprano Rania Bailey to sing. Oh, what could be achieved if some of the resources that so readily go to funding conflict can be diverted to supporting the arts!

22/11/2025

Besses o' th' Barn Band


The Festival I organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of composer Samuel Taylor’s birth went ahead on October 11 despite having been turned down by the three organisations to which we applied for funding. I was grateful to the musicians who so generously participated, and to Ms. Mitra Ziaei, a recent graduate at Liverpool John Moores University for volunteering to capture the day on camera. This is a short sample of the breadth of what the audience enjoyed on the day. I would like to single out the Besses o’ th’ Barn brass band for particular mention and special thanks. The oldest brass band in Britain, it had first played Coleridge-Taylor’s music in the early 1900s and, despite having never had a Black person in their ranks since its founding in 1818, they determined to find one to conduct them and also to commission a special arrangement of a Coleridge-Taylor song for Black soprano Rania Bailey to sing. Oh, what could be achieved if some of the resources that so readily go to funding conflict can be diverted to supporting the arts!

Summary extracts from the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Festival organised by Tayo Aluko & Friends CIC in association with BlackFest at the Capstone Theatre, Liver...

21/10/2025