Culture

Last night I performed at Hexham Abbey at the Journal Culture Awards. Our brass project ‘Reflection Connection’ composed and led by the uber talented Lucy Pankhurst was one of three finalists in the ‘Best Event in Northumberland’ category. I and others from Jayess Newbiggin joined our marras from Ashington, Ellington, and Bedlington brass bands to perform the Finale from the suite as the opening to the second half. It wasn’t our best performance, but we played with energy and passion, and entertained an appreciative audience. Above all we enjoyed it, and there were plenty of smiles as we left the stage. That is what matters most with music, the joy. Most pleasing to see was the many youngsters performing. The future of brass banding is in good hands.

We didn't win the award which went to the Blyth Tall Ships Event. It was a worthy winner, though in many respects it was an event of Olympic proportions in the North. Our project was small in comparison, but every bit as important. Our focus was inspiring young people, highlighting brass as a modern and exciting form of music. We celebrated our past, but also lit a flame for the future. The flame will grow.

The awards were dazzling and diverse, celebrating all we have to be proud of here in the North. There were many finalists and, though only a few prizes, all were winners. I was delighted to see Mick Henry, the former leader of Gateshead Council win a special award for his outstanding contribution to the North. Under his leadership Gateshead put culture at the heart of its regeneration strategy commissioning the Angel, the Sage, the Baltic, and the Millennium Bridge. Iconic cultural assets built on strong partnerships now recognised and attracting artists, musicians, and admirers from around the world.

As a celebration of culture, the awards highlighted what we all know, but may have taken for granted. Culture is vital to us all. There is a well documented economic benefit that for every £1 spent on culture a further £4 is generated in the wider economy. Investment in arts and culture makes sound financial sense, but the true value is so much more than that. Our cultural assets are gifts to the local community. Our musicians, artists, poets, writers, dancers enrich our lives on every level. If we don’t act arts and culture could be damaged and destroyed forever.

The Afghanistan war cost the UK £37billion, the banking bailout a staggering £850 billion. It would seem our politicians can find money for some priorities but they cannot give our kids the resources and support for art, culture and music. In my view this is shameful. Many will say that times are hard and there are more important things we could spend national resources on. I don’t believe this is true. There is nothing worth investing in more than culture and creativity. Winston Churchill was asked in the Second World War to cut arts funding in favour of the war effort. His response was, ‘then what are we fighting for?’ This is one of the few things we agree on.

My passion is for words, but most of all music. No culture ever discovered in human history has not had music. It is the one universal language, the purest expression of feeling and emotion, the songs of our soul. Last night, we represented brass banding in Northumberland, a rich and proud movement with a long and successful past. The greatest cornet player ever, James Shepherd is from my home village of Newbiggin. Incidentally, Newbiggin is the only place in the world to have three winners of the prestigious John Iles Medal awarded each year by the Worshipful Company of Musicians. Brass bands are an integral part of our cultural heritage, but they are not a thing of the past. We are a living, breathing dynamic movement, proud of our traditions, but looking forward to an exciting future. ‘Reflection Connection’ is just one of many projects highlighting our ambition to collaborate and innovate, our willingness to explore new approaches. The past was bright in banding, but the future will be brighter.

Five hundred and twelve brass bands competed in Regional Finals in England, Scotland, and Wales in 2017. Over 13,000 musicians young and old. The many talented young musicians, playing alongside the older, and more experienced passing on their knowledge and skills to the new generation. Every single one of us is an amateur. We devote our time and energy to playing together, keeping a wonderful tradition and movement going. Some things are more than just a hobby, they're embedded in our culture, a key part of who we are. To steal and paraphrase, everyone in brass banding knows it is not a matter of life and death, it is far more important than that. We love to contest, but recognise that we can embrace the past and change as we move forward. We want to highlight the joy of brass music, we would love to get more young people interested. The past was ours, but the future is theirs. We need support.

On average the brass band movement receives less than half a million pounds per year from the Arts Council, that is less than one hundred pounds per competing band. Opera receives around £70 million per year. We are a working class movement embedded in the post industrial heartlands, founded on volunteers, largely self taught and funded. Listen to Cory, Black Dyke, Grimethorpe or Brighouse and you will experience some of the greatest musicianship you will ever hear. We may be amateurs, but at our best our musicians are world class.

Last night was a celebration of the culture and talent in the North, just a part of the rich and diverse culture that exists beyond the gentrified smog of London and the Home Counties. I came away from the awards with a sense of pride, in the area that I love so much, and the musical movement I am a part of. I also watched the proceedings with trepidation and fear. The small levels of funding directed towards culture are dwindling. Within this funding there are huge inequalities in distribution across regions and culture types. As with so much of our taxes funding flows from the many into the hands of the privileged few. Change is needed. Don’t let the flame die.