One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the brass band calendar is almost here – Whit Friday!
Each year, brass bands from across the United Kingdom and beyond descend on the villages of Tameside and Saddleworth to take part in one of the most unique and exciting musical traditions anywhere in the world. This year, the Shropshire Brass Ensemble will be joining the celebrations and heading to Saddleworth for an unforgettable evening of music, marching, and fun.
What Are the Whit Friday Marches?
For those who have never experienced Whit Friday, imagine a pub crawl – but instead of moving between pubs, bands travel from village to village, and instead of collecting drinks, they collect performances!
Throughout the evening, bands travel by coach between contest venues, marching through village streets before performing a contest march for the adjudicator. The adjudicators themselves can often be found tucked away in caravans, marquees, and temporary huts, listening carefully to every performance.
With dozens of villages taking part and hundreds of bands competing, the atmosphere is unlike anything else in the brass band world. Some bands will still be performing well into the early hours of the morning as they attempt to fit in as many contests as possible.
More Than Just Music
While the music is at the heart of Whit Friday, the event is also famous for its sense of fun and community spirit. Fancy dress has become a cherished tradition, with many bands choosing imaginative themes to entertain audiences and fellow musicians alike.
This year, Shropshire Brass Ensemble will be paying tribute to a very famous group of performers. Expect to see a cowboy, a police officer, a construction worker, and perhaps a few other familiar faces making an appearance throughout the evening.
If that combination sounds familiar, you may already have an idea of one of the pieces we’ll be bringing to the streets of Saddleworth!
Join the Fun
Will we look ridiculous? Almost certainly.
Will our marching improve because of it? Probably not.
Will it make for some fantastic photographs and lasting memories? We certainly hope so.
If you’re heading to the Whit Friday Marches this year, keep an eye out for us. We’ll be the band arriving by coach, making plenty of noise, sporting some very recognisable costumes, and looking suspiciously cheerful despite carrying brass instruments around villages all evening.
We look forward to seeing you there and being part of this incredible brass band tradition.
🎺🤠👮♀️👷♂️🚍