What Is Sounding Brass?

Phone-in programme started on the first time on BBC radio 2 in the form of "Sounding Brass." Presented by Gloria Hunniford, the programme caught the fancy of listeners as they were invited to select a Christmas carol or hymn. A Salvation Army brass band played the listeners' request live in the studio. Another interesting thing about the programme was that there was a guest hymnologist in the radio studio who would explain the origin of the carol or the hymn and also provide the source of the composition and lyrics. The programme was the brain child of Owen Spencer-Thomas who kicked the show live in the year 1977.

Sounding brass is also the name of the situational comedy (Sitcom) series which played on Britain's ATV service. The plot revolved around Ettaswell Town Band trying to salvage itself from doldrums. Brian Glover who played the character of "Horace Gilbert Bestwick" tries to restore his grandfather's son band which once was England's glory, back to its former regal status. The comical situations and the humour centred on Bestwick and his indignant band of musicians form the core of the plot. The programme was six hours long and was aired from July 2 to August 6, 1980.

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