Brass is still being taught in my childrens schools, We live in the north of England. My little girl has just played her first concert (Trumpet), the teacher brought back a young man she had taught from the age of eight who was now a professional musician, playing in a quintet, he came back to Liverpool with his band and worked with the school kids and then performed with them… so inspirational for the children.
Art, our explanation is correct, the brass bands are still going strong in the North of England, just not so many of them now, but what a sound they make!