About
Sedbergh Town Band is a community brass band based in England's Book Town on the Western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We are a registered charity (1086817).
The Band rehearses every Tuesday from 7pm-9pm in St Andrew's Parish Church. Everybody is welcome to join in or come along and listen.
We also have a Training Band that rehearses every Tuesday during term-time from 6pm-7pm. Beginners can easily get involved - no matter what their musical background (or age!).
We perform concerts and hold fund-raising events throughout the year. We play a wide range of music from all genres.Typically, we host a bi-annual Dance Concert in March; perform at the Sedbergh Spring Show and during the Summer, play at the Finkle Street Party,Sedbergh Gala, Sedbergh Music Festival, Street Markets and Grange Bandstand as well as at venues around the area, by invitation.
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In the Autumn we perform on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph outside St Andrew’s Church and hold a Remembrance Concert in the evening.
Christmas festivities in Sedbergh traditionally begin with our a popular Christmas Concert - where we are joined by the Training Band and Father Christmas! In the run-up to Christmas we also play Carols in Kendal, at Sedbergh’s Late Night Shopping and on Christmas Eve on the Main Street.
If you would like to come along and listen, get involved and play, or even book us to play at your event, you can check our 'goings on' through our calendar. Follow us on Social Media (Facebook or Instagram); watch us on YouTube or get in touch with us via email or using the 'Contact Us' form at the bottom of this page.
History
ALAN LEWIS
Alan Lewis came to Sedbergh in 1990 and immediately founded the internationally renowned Sedbergh School CCF Band. He conducted Flookburgh Band through a highly successful period in their history; he was trumpet professor at St. Martin's College, Lancaster and music advisor for the whole of the north for the ACF. Yet his burning ambition was to start a brass band in his adopted home-town of Sedbergh.
In March 1998 Alan started a brass evening class for local people. This proved to be so popular that it was decided to form a Brass Band, which six months later became a reality. The development of a brass band from scratch is an unusual achievement, particularly when the trend is for brass bands to be in decline and for some to fold completely.
Sadly Alan passed away on 13th July 2013. However his legacy continues with the enthusiasm and dedication of the committee, the two bandmasters and the band members of all ages.
The Band
Sedbergh Town Band is a true community band with over 35 players who have a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and abilities. Our members range in age from 14 to over 70. The band continues to develop and is led by Bandmaster - Iwan Lewis.
In 2010 a Training Band was established by Carole Marsden to foster the musical talents of local youngsters. The young people were soon joined by a number of adult learners taking up a new instrument or playing for the first time. Members of the Training Band are usually encouraged to go on and join the Main Band.
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Children can join the Training Band from the age of 7. Adults can join at any time! The Training Band meets for an hour each Tuesday evening, led by Sophie Hall with assistance from Iwan and members of the Main Band.
Band members are provided with an instrument, music, tuition and uniform. Costs are covered by a small annual subscription fee with fundraising done throughout the year to cover major costs.
