Brass Bands Archive blog: manuscript scores

Thursday, 9 May, 2024

Another month, means another blog from the Brass Bands Archive! This is another brilliant blog which is part of a series of articles exploring the Brass Bands Archive, written by some of our volunteers and the Archive team.

A selection of beautiful manuscript scores were donated to the Brass Bands Archive in 2022, by a prominent brass bander who is a composer and arranger himself. The seven scores that were donated were:

The Royal Trophy and Hailstorm by William Rimmer
Starlight and Chateau Chillon by Drake Rimmer
Grandfather’s clock by George Doughty
L’italiana in Algeria by Gioachino Rossini and arranger George Hawkins
The Champions by George H Willcocks

One of our fantastic volunteers, Sarah Crowe (BA (Hons) MRes), has researched these pieces and the individuals behind them ...

The Royal Trophy and Hailstorm - William Rimmer

A prolific composer and arranger for brass band who is particularly known for his marches; William Rimmer was born in either 1861 or 1862 in Berkdale, Southport. He began his playing career as a side drummer with the Southport rifles band at the age of 15, where he also eventually took up the cornet, at which he excelled. He played cornet for Bess O’th Barn among other bands, and began conducting in 1890 at Wingates and Irwell Springs. Rimmer joined Wright and Round publishers in 1913 and conducted several ensembles during his illustrious career, as well as writing numerous compositions. He died suddenly on February 9th 1936, and is buried at Berkdale cemetery. His popular composition the Royal Trophy March, inspired by Cornwall, has been played at many brass band competitions from 1927 to the present day. You can also have a listen to his euphonium solo Hailstorm.

The Royal Trophy by William Rimmer [Ref:BBA/SC/M/0001] and Hailstorm by William Rimmer [Ref: BBA/SC/M/0002]

Starlight and Chateau Chillon by Drake Rimmer

Bandmaster, composer, singer, and arranger Drake Rimmer was William Rimmer’s nephew. He was born in 1905, lived in fife and, like his uncle, was the composer of many pieces of music. His composition Starlight can be heard on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band’s YouTube channel. It is listed on page 14 of The Cornet Brass and military Band Journal general catalogue of Brass Band Music, of which Drake was also the Musical Editor.

Starlight by Drake Rimmer [Ref: BBA/SC/M/0003]

His Tone Poem Chateau Chillon (the Prisoners of Chillon) was inspired by the Chateau Chillon on the shores of Lake Geneva, and the poem The Prisoner of Chillon by Lord Byron. Drake Rimmer died in 1978.

Chateau Chillon by Drake Rimmer [Ref: BBA/SC/M/004]

Grandfather’s clock by George Doughty

Other than being the subject of a discussion on brass band forum the Mouthpiece.com (which does suggest there is some information about him in the sleeve notes of an LP by Black Dyke Mills Band called The Champions from 1968, catalogue number MONO GGL 0410), very little could be discovered about George Doughty. He is often described as the composer of the piece Grandfather’s Clock. Although that appears to have been originally written as a song in around 1985 by American songwriter Henry Work, with Doughty being the arranger of the piece for brass band and soloist.

The piece can be heard being performed by Daniel Thomas and the Black Dyke Mills Band.

Grandfather’s Clock [Ref: BBA/SC/M/005]

L’italiana in Algeria by Gioachino Rossini and arranger George Hawkins

L’italiana in Algeria was originally composed in 1913 by Italian composer Gioachino Antonio Rossini (1792 – 1868). The arranger of the piece for brass band, George Hawkins (1876 – 1967), can be seen to have had a prolific career as a band conductor and contest adjudicator. He was appointed conductor of The Cooperation Band (formerly Scottish CWS Band) in 1931 where he continued to guide them to Championship success. He resigned the position in 1937 due to injury sustained in the elevator on the way to a band rehearsal.

The piece can be heard in a live performance by the Yorkshire Building society band.

L’italiana in Algeria by Gioachino Rossini and arranger George Hawkins [ref: BBA/SC/M/006]

The Champions by George H Willcocks

Major George H. Willcocks was born in Poplar in London on 23rd February 1899 and enlisted at 15 as a cornet player with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He conducted Ford Motor Works Band and Fairey Band, the latter of whom he led to victory at the 1956 National Finals before he joined Black Dyke Mills Band for many successful years from 1957. Willcocks dedicated his march The Champions to them. He died of a heart attack on 12th January 1962, but left a lasting legacy with the band, with whom he was an immensely popular and influential figure.

The Champions, performed by Black Dyke Mills themselves, can be heard on the Black Dyke YouTube channel.

The Champions by George H. Willcocks [Ref: BBA/SC/M/0007]

The Brass Bands Archive collection is held at the Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield and anyone can visit and view the Archive. The research room at Heritage Quay is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 09.30 – 17.00. To book a visit, take a look at the Heritage Quay website.

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If you think you have material you would like to donate, please email: archive@bbe.org.uk.