Blaenavon Town Band  Questionnaire

The Band has received this communication from a Student at Brighton University.  If you can, take sometime and complete the questions and email the results to the address shown.

My name is Gillian Hibberd.  Although I have no direct connection with the Brass Band Movement, I have with my husband enjoyed brass and military band music for nearly 40 years, and like many people who begin with little knowledge of the history of brass banding, I am finding it a fascinating and addictive topic.

I am doing post-graduate research for my Masters Degree in Histories and Culture at Brighton University and for my dissertation I have chosen to investigate and analyse the current role of the brass band movement in the culture of Britain. I am particularly interested in researching how deindustrialisation, technological advances, gender and ethnicity have affected Brass Bands, together with an examination of what the future might hold for the movement.

I feel the research should be valuable resource for all having an interest in the movement and I am writing to you as I need the urgent assistance of past or present band members and enthusiasts willing to let me have information and views.

I would be extremely grateful if you, and other members of your band would  have a look at the questionnaire at the bottom of this email and if you can find the time to assist me, copy and paste it into a word processor or email programme, add your comments and email it to me at  BrassBandsOrg@aol.com.   If you need any further information, or would like to speak to me direct, please give me a ring on Brighton (01273) 732684.

It would also be a huge help in making this a really worthwhile survey for the real benefit of the movement If you could please visit my web site  www.brassbands.org  print out the poster and display it in your bandroom or other appropriate place so that as many people as possible are encouraged to participate.  I will publishing my dissertation there as soon as it is completed.

Finally I appreciate that you must have a very busy schedule but any help that you or any fellow enthusiasts can give me would be very much appreciated, and thank you for the very real pleasure all involved in banding give to the listening public.

Many thanks in advance for your help and happy banding!


Gillian Hibberd
B.A.(Hons)


Questionnaire
Please give as much information as you are comfortable with and there is a space at the end for you to enter any views, comments, etc not covered in the questionnaire. Please note that individual contributors will not be identified. Thank you very much for your help.

1 Are you a current or past member of a band or an enthusiast.

2 If you are or were a band member what is the name and the level of the band.

3 Are you male or female.

4 Are you aged:-
(a) under 20
(b) 20 - 30
(c) 30 - 40
(d) 40 - 50
(e) 50 - 60
(f) over 60

5 What is your occupation

6 Are you black or a member of another ethnic group.

7 What sparked your interest in Brass Bands, was it :-
(a) a general interest in music
(b) family tradition
(c) music classes at school
(d) companionship with like-minded people
(e) a tradition of brass bands in your local community
(f) a local firm or social club had a brass band
(g) introduced by a friend
(h) something else

8 What is the most important element to you:-
(a) the music
(b) concerts
(c) competitions
(d) simply playing
(e) the social life
(f) something else

9 Do you see your interest as:-
(a) a hobby that has to fit in with your work and family life , or
(b) as a way of life
(c) something else

10 How far and how often do you have to travel to practices/rehearsals.

11 Do you get together with other musicians to play music informally.

12 Are you interested in or do you enjoy/participate in other types of music

13 Do your other leisure time activities take up more or less time than banding

14 Has your band been affected by the closure of industries and businesses as regards sponsorship and membership, for example, people having to move to other areas in search of work. If your band has been affected has the local community continued to support it

15 Where new industries and businesses have moved into the area do they support the local brass band movement.

16 What problems do bands have with funding. Do they receive help from local authorities, arts councils, lottery funding, grants, private individuals etc.

17 How common is it for bands to be Registered Charities

18 How common is it for bands to have a written Constitution or do they rely on a set of unwritten rules

19 Would you like to see changes in the way bands and competitions are organised.

20 Would you like to see changes in the repertoire.

21 Would you like to see changes in the traditional style uniforms.

22 Does your band take part in competitions.

23 Are admin/support duties undertaken by players or supporters of the band.

24 Do men and women continue to have different roles based upon gender stereotypes, for example women undertaking social, admin work, and making the tea.

25 How do you see women's role in the band movement of today. What are your views on the apparent under representation of women in the roles of conductors, musical directors, adjudicators, and musicians in Championship Bands.

26 Does your band have an equal opportunities policy. If so, does it include people with disabilities.

27 What is your opinion on efforts to be "politically correct" in referring, for example, to "bandspersons" rather than bandsmen. What is the practice in your band, for example, is it usual to refer to bandsmen and bandswomen or what.

28 Is your band a member of the National Association of Brass Bands.

29 How do bands deal with legal matters i.e. child protection and health and safety matters. Do you rely on notification from the National Association of Brass Bands or is this the responsibility of individual bands.

30 Does your band make use of computer technology and digital recording to give greater flexibility in releasing their own recordings.

31 There are ever increasing distractions and pressures on peoples time. How do you see the banding movement reacting to these pressures. In particular are sufficient steps being taken to encourage young people to join in, and to what extent do limitations on musical education in schools impact upon this aspect.

32 Do you consider that brass bands are an integral part of:-
(a) the local community
(b) British culture and tradition
(c) something else

33 It has been said that "the compelling vision of the brass band is one of consistency and continuity" What are your views on this statement.

34 It has been said that "brass bands, musically and socially, show evidence of their nineteenth century origins". What are your views on this statement.

35 Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of banding.

36 Do you feel radical changes are needed or are you content with the way things are now

37 If not what would you suggest to improve brass bands in Britain to ensure that they continue to flourish.

38 Any other comments you would care to make.