A busy season for Black Country Brass
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
New Conductor and Artistic Director Iain Masson and brass band Black Country Brass have enjoyed an eclectically busy season together which, since New Year, has included community performances at the Bilston St. George's Day Celebrations, BCIMO and the National Innovation Centre, Red House Glass Cone, Stourport Bandstand, Wednesfield in Bloom, Lido Park Bandstand, Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band, Sanders Park and an upcoming performance at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses. The Band will soon turn its sights towards a multitude of festive performances and events already in place, with early preparations starting for 2026.
Iain says, "We open our doors to new members and supporters, so please reach out and get in touch! We are all grateful to the hard work of the Committee and the support of the Lower Gornal Royal British Legion Club, who ensure the smooth-running of the Band for our members and of course the conductor. These dedicated people are integral to the success of the Band. They go above and beyond, as do the members and our helpers! We have great supporters from far and wide." Iain adds, "Making music in the West Midlands of England and community brass banding certainly is a lot of fun. We feel that in everything we do at Black Country Brass". Iain is a graduate of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and RNCM. To contact the Black Country Brass, visit www.bcb.band
Reading about Black Country Brass’s hectic schedule instantly took me back to last summer when I volunteered at a local music festival in Stoke-on-Trent. I remember rushing between the sound booth and the brass tent, trying to keep the sheet music organized while the crowd swelled with energy. The smell of fresh grass mixed with the occasional waft of fish and chips from a nearby stall made the whole scene feel alive, just like the bustling rehearsals you describe. One afternoon a sudden downpour forced us all to huddle under a tarp, and the brass players kept playing, their notes cutting through the rain like a bright thread. It was chaotic, exhausting, and unbelievably rewarding—exactly the kind of whirlwind that…