Brass Band (British Style) - Silver Band

Silver Band

The term 'silver band' is synonymous with 'brass band' in this sense; the vast majority of bands termed either 'brass' or 'silver' incorporate musicians playing both lacquered and silver-plated instruments. In the days when 'brass' instruments were not as costly as silver plated ones, the term 'silver band' implied a band that could afford the latter and thus were a more successful band. Now, however, the costs are similar and the distinction between brass and silver bands is generally not made. Nowadays, the only real difference is that Silver bands are located mainly in the South of England and Brass bands in the North, although some Silver bands do still exist in the North and many brass bands exist in the South