Alan Moss wrote:

>In England at least, there are still brass bands among the (now
>coal-miners and steel-workers almost totally redundant)

It was released several years ago now, but the film "Brassed Off"
deals with this very theme.  There's a degree of predictability about
its ending, but there are some hard edges to the film, fine acting, and a
vivid demonstration of the high level of musicianship some bands achieve.
The plot device that spurs things on occurs when a young woman joins the
band.  Of all things, she plays the flugelhorn.  Her piece de resistance
is the slow movement of the Concierto de Aranjuez.  Rodrigo might not have
approved necessarily, but I doubt that he would have been too upset.  If
band music is total anathema to you, stay away, but otherwise, it's a
worthwhile watch.

Richard Pennycuick
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