Brackley & District Band was formed in the mid 1970s when a group of young musicians finished their time at school and needed an outlet to pursue their hobbies.

A suitable premises was found in what was the British Legion Club, and with the help of a few very kind parents who re-mortgaged their homes the club was purchased and became "The Band Club" as it is to this day. One of those parents, Derek Chapman has only just retired as playing member of the band, and several of the original group of players still remain!

The Club is a thriving part of the Brackley community and boasts three bars under one roof!! Absolute heaven for any Brass Band.

The Band has contested in all sections and their purple patch was through the mid eighties when, under the leadership of Mr David Williams, they were ranked in the Championship section competing against some of the top bands in the country.

Through the nineties the band went into somewhat of a decline in terms of its contesting standards. Although still a popular concert band it levelled out in the second section, where it remained actively performing, contesting and touring parts of Europe.

The previous musical director, Jason Glynn had been with the band for 6 1/2 years and as an ex-playing had injected a new lease of life into the band. He led the band from the second section to the first, including a trip to the National Brass Band Finals. The last time the band had qualified for this event had been 19 years earlier!

The current musical director is David Richards and has been with the band since June 2007. He is a serving member of the Royal Air Force and is currently Flight Sergeant in charge of training and also Senior Drum Major (RAF). He is a tuba player by profession and has performed with many bands and orchestras on all the major concert platforms in this country and throughout the world. He has also arranged music for the RAF bands and has had many of his pieces recorded by brass and wind bands.

The Band now resides in a strong position in the first section and through some of the bands recent success has secured the services of a number of very fine players enabling the band to continue in its progress.

 

Monday January 7, 2008