As a follow-up to his earlier article in this series about brass bands (find it here), Tony Mansell looks at the world of contesting where bands compete for the ultimate accolade. Competitions, or contests as they are termed in the brass band world, have their beginning in the brass and reed band era of the…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – Contesting”

In this article Merv Davey takes a look at Cornwall’s oldest musical genre and explores its interaction with our social history. This Cornish Story is about the folk dance traditions that have evolved in Cornwall and the music that goes with them.  Just as the dance traditions mirror Cornwall’s social history so the tunes that…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – Ilow Dons Kernow (Cornish Dance Music)”

Tony Mansell provides our next slice of the Music Kernow pie as he explores the life and career of Cornishman Phillip Hunt. The author of three articles in the Music Kernow series, Phillip now finds himself under the spotlight. In an article in 2015, Simon Parker wrote of Phillip Hunt’s love of music which began in…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – Phillip Hunt”

In the sixth article in the Music Kernow series, Phillip Hunt recounts the life and successes of an inspirational musician who had an enduring influence on all who played under him. “Happy but not idyllic – there’s nothing idyllic about writing music and bringing up a family”. That was how Malcolm Arnold described the years…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – Malcolm Arnold in Cornwall”

In the latest in our Cornish music series, Philip Hunt brings to life, the story of iconic Cornish musician Goff Richards. “I think the march has clarity and energy and is a far higher quality than is usually found in brass band music. The scoring is excellent, you obviously have a special gift.” So wrote…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – Goff Richards”

In the fourth article in our Cornish music series, John Roberts regales us with the history of the banjo. You can find last month’s offering which focuses on the Goonhavern Banjo Band here. “The twang’s the thang”…or so it was according to Duane Eddy in 1959, referring to the sound of his electric guitar of course, but…Continue Reading “Music Kernow – A History of the Banjo”