Billingham Silver Band
About us
We are a traditional British Brass Band based on Teesside, in the North East of England, UK.
We have a versatile repertoire and are able to play at various functions and events throughout the North East or other areas of the country. We can be engaged to provide music for any occasion. If you would like us to entertain you, please contact us by e-mail.
Our home is Norton (Teesside) Sports Complex, Station Road, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1PE, United Kingdom - see the map opposite.
History
The band started its life back in 1941 as part of the Stockton Home Guard, its first conductor being Dick Mallaby. In 1943, Dick Freeland took over as Musical Director and in 1945 the band became known as the Malleable Works & Institute Band after the Home Guard Unit was disbanded.
1966 saw the band become known as the Billingham New Silver Band, the word 'New' being dropped in 1970. Dick Freeland retired as Musical Director after 30 years loyal service in 1972. It was then that the present Director of Music, Vaughan Evans, was asked to come off the cornet bench from Principal Cornet to take over the baton. He has been conducting the band ever since. We have only ever had the three Musical Directors in our bands history - that must say something about the dedication of our members!
1984 was the year that the band moved to the Norton (Teesside) Sports Complex and in 1995 we moved into a permanent, purpose-built rehearsal room of our own. This room is built onto the sports complex and came about with help from the Club Trust and a National Lottery Grant through the Sports & Arts Council.
