Emley Brass Band
Founded: 1870
Location: Emley Village
Member: Musical Director - Garry Halla
Emley Brass Band was founded in 1870 from the basis of a woodwind and brass ensemble. The Band does have some mining roots, as do most brass bands like Grimethorpe and Carlton Main Frickley. Emley Brass Band was sponsored by the mine in Emley, but due to the pit closures the Band no longer carries a mining name, and no longer has any affiliation with the mining industry.
Around the 60's the band had probably it's most successful period, pictured above are the band in 1964 with the trophy haul from that year. (can you spot the member who's still in the band????)
The band has always had a mixed bunch!!
Emley band received a lottery grant which enabled us to buy a new set of brass instruments and some extras for the percussion section.
Due to the resignation of the conductor in 1998 Emley Brass Band joined forces with Cawthorne Brass Band, until another change brought around a new conductor to take the Band into the new millennium. This awe inspiring conductor brought some positive changes along with some new players and new goals and ideals for the band. These changes were beneficial to the continuing improvement of the Band.
Unfortunately, after a lot of thought the conductor decided to move on to pastures new at the end of 2001 leaving the band without a conductor yet again. Jack Boden stepped in and proved to be a great success as the band qualified to take place in the National Finals 2002 in Torquay. We then acquired another conductor, Marc Robins who was a Barnsley College graduate after having studied under David Hirst. Marc's first contest just happened to be the National Finals in Torquay but unfortunately nerves got the better of the band as a whole and the result was poor.
However, moving on, we now have a very talented young man in the form of Garry Hallas and his enthusiasm to take the band to further heights is very encouraging. Emley were promoted to the third section in 2007 and are well on the way to becoming a force to be reckoned with!
The Band currently contains players both young and old, mixing experience with youth and this helps to create the desire to achieve within a multitude of areas, not just within the band room.
Anyone is welcome to come along for a blow so if you feel you are missing out, make your way to Emley Band Room for 7:30 any Monday or Wednesday evening and give us a go!
