NCBF Free Workshop Opportunity
Enhance Your Rehearsals with NCBF Mentorship

• Create a focus for your band
• Encourage players to extend their technique working on your current repertoire
• Gain feedback with ideas and insight from an external professional
• Offer your band something different!
• Discover and explore new repertoire
• Work on common band challenges e.g. ensemble/intonation/rhythm
• Free of charge!

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NCBF mentors are enjoying reaching out to bands across the UK - here’s a selection of some of the groups we have worked with.

Haberdashers Elstree Symphonic Wind Orchestra

Mentor:Chris I’Anson

The Haberdashers’ Elstree Symphonic Wind Orchestra is the senior wind ensemble of the Haberdashers’ Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, two leading independent day schools sharing a campus in Elstree, Hertfordshire. With a reputation for academic and co-curricular excellence stretching back to 1690 when Haberdashers’ Boys’ School was founded by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, both schools are known for fostering high standards in music and the performing arts.

The band brings together the finest woodwind, brass, and percussion players from across the two schools. Members rehearse weekly and perform a wide-ranging and ambitious repertoire, from established symphonic works to contemporary concert pieces. They perform regularly both in and beyond school, with recent appearances at prestigious venues including St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican Centre. Its collaborative nature reflects the schools’ shared commitment to musical excellence and provides a platform for outstanding young musicians to develop ensemble skills at the highest level.

The orchestra is directed by Alan Duguid, Head of Academic Music at Haberdashers’ Boys School and an experienced conductor of wind and brass ensembles. Under his direction, the group continues to grow in musical ambition, artistry, and national profile.

Wareham Town Band

Mentor: Paul Hornsby

The Wareham Town Band has been in existence since at least 1855, but virtually nothing is known of its earlier history. However, mention of the band is made in the Dorset County Chronicle on the 26th of July of that year, in relation to the annual Church School outing to Stoborough, when the band led the procession of carts carrying the children back to Wareham. Thus all we know is that the Town Band was formed at some prior date.
The Wareham Town Band has always contained a mixture of brass and reed instruments and still continues to do so to this day. This could possibly be an indication that the band’s roots lie in some earlier Village band but this is now a matter of pure conjecture. Certainly the Wareham Town Band predates many of the other bands in the Purbeck area, which were formed around the 1860’s as Brass Bands.

What information is to be gained at present comes from books such as Terence Davis’s “Wareham, Gateway to the Purbecks”, which contains several references and photographs of the band. One paragraph in the book recounts the scene on the night in the early 1900’s, when the relief of Mafeking was being celebrated in Wareham. People gathered at the Town Cross where the Town Band, which included Mr Saint with his circular bass, were playing and marching around a blazing tar barrel in the middle of the road. Everyone was singing and dancing, when a Mr Thorne appeared with his gun and fired a round which “stopped the Town Hall clock for several days.”

A photograph dated to 1908 also exists, with most of the members names known. They include such local family names as the Whites, Orchards, Govers, Wellsteads and Gales, each of which had at least two members in the band at that time, and many others were related through marriage.
Records have been received covering the period from September 1935, when the band was reformed after a dormant period, to 1942, when it was disbanded due to many members being called up for the war. The band secretary at this time was Mr Arthur J Carter of Cow Lane and from the accounts to hand, he appears to have been very efficient and zealous in his efforts for the band.

The band certainly flourished during this period, even to the extent of entering section C of the National Band Festival held at Alexandra Palace in September 1938, but as only brass players were allowed to take part in the contest, the band’s clarinet players were reduced to a purely supportive role. Although the band did not win the section prize, all members enjoyed the day out and were all the better for the experience.

Wareham Town Band reformed after the war band and in 1948 the band members, with the support of the Mayor, Councillor Andrew Knowleman and the Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough, launched an appeal for £260 to equip members with uniforms. In addition to the donations received from the Aldermen and Councillors, the band members each contributed a weekly sum until the money was raised. The secretary at this time, Mr George Gover, appealed to the public for a generous response and stated “In return we promise to give the best music of which we are capable.”

With the rise in post war affluence particularly among younger people and changing forms of music there was a general decline of interest in brass bands in the very late 1950’s and early 60’s. Although quite a few of the old village Brass Bands “went to the wall” during this period, Wareham Town Band survived.
Through the years, the band has continued to perform for Fetes, Concerts and Civic occasions in the Purbeck area. The fact that it still does so is down to the dedication of the players who give freely of their time and talents to make the band a success.

 

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Band

Mentor: Paul Hornsby

The DSFRS Concert Band was established in May 1994 to augment the existing Corps of Drums, many of the original members were serving and retired Fire & Rescue Service personnel and their families.

This accomplished Band currently has over 40 members, including former professional musicians and skilled amateurs from the broader local community. The Concert Band has a varied repertoire including military marches, classical pieces, big band classics, pop and ragtime numbers, and medleys from films and musicals, as well as contemporary music.

The DSFRS Concert Band perform across Devon and Somerset throughout the year, including at open days, fêtes and concerts for a wide variety of organisations and charities, both as the full Concert Band and as smaller Wind, Brass and Mixed Ensembles. They are proud to represent the Fire Service in all their activities and to support local charities.

Under the direction of former Royal Marines Bandsman, Martin Andrew, since July 2015 the Band has furthered its excellent reputation in the region.

Recent highlights include performing at the Royal Naval Trafalgar Day Services in Exeter Cathedral 2021 & 2024, for the RNLI 200th Anniversary Celebrations in Exmouth 2024, at the Devon Festival of Remembrance at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth 2019, and for HRH Princess Royal for the National Fire Service College’s 50th Anniversary in January 2025.

In 2023 and 2024 the Concert Band joined with other Fire Service Bands for a fun weekend of rehearsing at the National Fire Service College in the Cotswolds; this event is planned to be repeated biennially from 2026.

Annual performances include the Mayor’s Charity Concerts at Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot; the Fire & Rescue Service Open Day at Service Headquarters, Clyst St George; the Fire & Rescue Service’s Award Ceremonies and the Blue Light Carol Service held in Exeter Cathedral.

 

Telford Concert Band

Mentor: Simon Hogg

For the past 6 years, Telford Concert Band, a vibrant group of musicians, has been serving the community of Telford and beyond, creating opportunities through the art of wind music. Over recent years, the band has performed on numerous stages and at various locations - from local community events to packed Christmas concert halls.

But the Telford Concert Band is not just about making music; it’s about building community. Their presence at local events has brought people together, encouraging connections and creating lasting memories. For more information on the band, visit telfordconcertband.com

Newark and Sherwood Concert Band

Mentor: Duncan Stubbs

Founded in 1997, Newark & Sherwood Concert Band is a wind band based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, led by Colum O’Shea as our conductor.

The organisation is made up of 2 bands – the Concert Band and the Development Band. Across the two bands, weekly rehearsals attract more than 80 members, ranging in age from 9-80+. The organisation performs at a range of events – from Newark Castle Bandstand to Kelham Hall Proms, from supporting the local Twinning Association and Town Council with local events to our own concert at the Palace Theatre, Newark.

The Concert Band performs the majority of these events, with the Development Band’s main aim being to support less-experienced players in developing skills in their chosen instrument and ensemble playing, with opportunities for performance at the Palace Theatre and Bandstand events. The Concert Band also works towards performing at the National Concert Band Festival and has achieved Gold and Platinum Awards.

The band has taken part in two tours to Newark’s Twin Town in Germany, Emmendingen and hopes to continue to build on the relationships made there to join forces with Stadtmusik Emmendingen and other music groups in the future.

We are a friendly group of musicians and whilst taking our music seriously, the emphasis is very much on fun.

www.nscb.uk

Bradford Concert Band Workshop

Mentor: Gerard Booth

 

St Albans Concert Band

Mentor: Paul Hornsby

St Alban’s Concert Band Cardiff is a lively non-auditioned community band based in the heart of Cardiff. The band was first established as a military marching band in 1896 and has evolved over the years to the band it is today. The band is proudly turning 130 years old in 2026 with a celebratory concert planned. Members of the band range from age 13 to over 80. Our longest serving band member has celebrated 60 years with the band in 2025, since joining in childhood.

The band has been led by the Musical Director Geraint Barnes since 2021, and this has led to significant growth in the band from 20 to nearly 50 members. The band has also expanded their repertoire and has the new addition of a percussion section. We put on three concerts each year with recent annual themed concerts including ‘Space’ and ‘The Movies’. We also pride ourselves on raising funds for the Poppy Appeal each year as part of our Remembrance performance.

Leicester Community Concert Band

Mentor: Duncan Stubbs

Leicester Community Concert Band (LCCB) was established in 2007 in response to an initiative taken by Sheehan’s Music Services to form a wind ensemble which would encourage lapsed musicians to take up their instruments again. Originally called ‘2nd Wind’, the ensemble quickly grew from 15 to over 60 musicians and is now one of the largest amateur wind ensembles in Leicestershire. In 2013 '2nd Wind' became an independent organisation and was renamed 'Leicester Community Concert Band'.

In 2017-18 the band celebrated its 10th Anniversary by taking part in the National Concert Band Festival, receiving a Platinum Award in the regional event. As a result the band was invited to take part in the National Festival held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, when the band achieved a Gold Award. The 10th Anniversary culminated in a spectacular joint concert with the Band of the Grenadier Guards in the summer of 2018 and the band were delighted to welcome the band back again in 2019. LCCB produced a CD to mark their 10th Anniversary, reflecting the development of the band and demonstrating its varied repertoire which has an appeal for a wide range of musical taste.

LCCB rehearses every Wednesday evening during term time at The Big Shed Conference Centre (Covenant Life Church). There are no formal auditions, but a reasonable level of proficiency is now required - equivalent to Grade 5 standard - although it is not a pre-requisite to have taken the exam. We strive to provide a friendly and supportive environment within which all musicians can progress at their own rate.

The Swinging Woodpeckers Big Band

Mentor: Iain Dixon

The Swinging Woodpeckers Big Band was formed as we came out of the COVID lockdown by a group of amateur musicians who had kept playing together during the lockdown using Internet software. Once they were able to gather in gardens their enthusiasm for Swing and Jazz grew and the Band was formed.

Players of a wide range of abilities and an even wider range of ages meet each week to rehearse a growing repertoire of pieces for performance at a range of local events. The band is increasing in popularity in the local area and is regularly invited to play at significant community events including VE Day Commemoration, Christmas Lights Switch On, Valentines Day Dances and Gala Dinners.

University of East Anglia Concert Band

Mentor: Barrie Johnson

The largest ensemble in the society, this group is for any woodwind, saxophone, percussion and brass players who want to carry on playing music at university! We play all kinds of music including marching band pieces, film music and musical medleys. We try to make the repertoire as fun as possible whilst also dealing with more challenging elements of music. 

University of East Anglia Big Band

Mentor: Barrie Johnson

UEA Big Band has existed in various forms for at least the last 7 years. With no music degree at UEA, the band is entirely student-led and made up of students involved in music as a hobby. The makeup of the band changes entirely at least every 3 years as students graduate. We welcome all abilities and the focus is on enjoying playing together while developing musical ability.

Over the last two years, UEA Big Band has grown massively in technical ability and ensemble skills, this enabled them to take part in NCBF for the first time in November.

Barnsley Town Concert Band

Mentor: Gerard Booth

Barnsley Town Concert Band are the senior wind band within Barnsley Music Service and we are made up of children of schools age who receive music lessons in the borough and are roughly around grade 4 standard on their instruments.

The band take part in 3 end of term concerts a year within the music service and perform in concerts within the local community. Alongside this the band take part in 2 music festivals each year, Music For Youth and The National Concert Band Festival. We have been awarded with several gold awards at these and have performed at the National Festival in both. This has included performances at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and Warwick Hall.

In July 2023 the band went on a concert tour to Paris and as part of that we performed on the main stage at Disneyland Paris as well as a few well received
concerts in and around Paris itself. We are planning to go on another tour to Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands in July 2026.

Sheffield University Big Band

Mentor: Iain Dixon

The Sheffield University Big Band (SUBB) is a semi-professional ensemble organised and led by current students of the University of Sheffield. The band performs a diverse repertoire encompassing jazz, funk, swing, Latin, and more, featuring compositions from artists like Glenn Miller, Buddy Rich, Gordon Goodwin, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, and Michael Bublé.

SUBB is known for its vibrant performances and active engagement in the local music scene and wider Yorkshire area.

Strathclyde University Concert Band

Mentor: Bryan Allen

Local to Glasgow, the Strathclyde University Concert Band is composed of current students, staff, and alumni of the University, as well as students from other institutions. Established in 1990, the running of the band is performed entirely by current students, whilst being conducted under the watchful eye of Chris Mitchell. The band has been slowly accumulating in size since the COVID-19 pandemic, boasting a membership of over 80 this year.

The Concert Band at King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon

Mentor: Simon Hogg

The Concert Band at King Edward VI School caters for woodwind, brass and orchestral percussion students who are playing at Grade 5+ standard. The band enjoys playing a wide variety of repertoire from Bandology (Eric Osterling) to English Folk Song Suite (Vaughan Williams).

Termly performances take place as part of school concerts. The Concert Band have played oversees when touring in Belgium, France and Germany. Students are looking forward to this summer’s tour to the Loire Valley.

Each year there are students who go on to study at Conservatoires. The aim for every student is that they enjoy the musical opportunities at school which set them up for a lifelong love of performing.

Oxford University Wind Orchestra

Mentor: Duncan Stubbs

Oxford University Wind Orchestra is the University of Oxford’s foremost wind ensemble. We explore a range of  repertoire both originally written for wind orchestras and pieces which have been re-arranged for our instrumentation, offering a fresh perspective on some classic works such as Finlandia. Our distinct texture of instruments enables us to delve into diverse musical styles, ranging from Birdland to
Chen Yi to Vaughan Williams. We enjoy spending time together as an orchestra, with lots of socials organised each term, and take the time to pay special attention to honing players’ musical abilities and communication skills. Looking ahead, we are excited by the prospect of our annual joint concert with Cambridge University Wind Orchestra this term and can’t wait to travel to Manchester to perform at the nationals of NCBF.

Durham University Concert Band

Mentor: Gerard Booth

Durham University Concert Band is a student-run non-auditioned ensemble open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players. We aim to create a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, while at the same time playing music to an excellent standard. We have played concerts in Elvet Methodist Church, Castle Great Hall and Durham Cathedral. The band covers a range of repertoire, from wind band classics and film music, to orchestral arrangements and jazz.

Southampton Grad Band

Mentor: Duncan Stubbs

Southampton Grad Band (SGB) is a group of friendly, sociable musicians who enjoy playing a variety of wind band music for the community in regular performances – from the classics to selections from musicals, films and even the latest chart albums.

The Band was formed in 2007 by a group of graduates from Southampton University and has grown considerably since then, welcoming members from any background and producing a polished sound while providing a supportive environment for experienced, improving and returning musicians.