Brass bands became popular in England with the development of brass instruments with valves. These gave the instruments a greater musical range and made them easier to play. Because of these advantages, they were quickly taken up by military bands.

During the 19th century, large numbers of amateur brass bands were formed in workplaces like factories and collieries, particularly in the industrial north of England. Mass-production made instruments and printed music affordable, and bands were encouraged by the employers and the upper classes, who saw them as a way of bettering the lives of the workers. Bands still prominent today, like the Black Dyke Mills Band, began in the mid-19th century, and the Salvation Army’s brass bands have been famous for over a hundred years. By 1900, it was estimated that there were over 20,000 British bands.

The bands were very popular and their high standard of performance was maintained by the many local and national brass band competitions. Rules were laid down by the National Brass Band Club, prescribing the standard ‘scoring’ (the number and type of instruments allowed). This included cornets, horns, euphoniums, trombones and tubas. All the players were amateurs, but the conductor could be professional. Distinguished composers such as Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and Gustav Holst (1874-1934) wrote pieces especially for brass bands.