50th Anniversary

Barnsley Metropolitan Band Celebrate 50 Years 

Established in 1974 at the same time as the new local government structure in South Yorkshire, Barnsley Music Centre (now Barnsley Music Service) Brass Band was formed and led by peripatetic brass teacher Harold Lillford. The band was very much a Youth Band and most members had music lessons in Barnsley schools. They built up a strong reputation across the region with concert performances, but also on the contest stage at a variety of competitions, some as high as  the 2nd section. In those days, it wasn’t uncommon for a few local brass teachers, employed by the authority to be amongst the ranks and provide the band support. 

Following challenges in the mid 1980’s with funding for music education, the band evolved as a self-constituted organisation known as ‘Barnsley Metropolitan Band’, and was re-built and developed by Barnsley Music Service leader John Grinnell. John went on to conduct the band for the next 22 years. Strong links were always kept with the local authority, with the band playing at many civic events. The band was a safe and progressive place for young musicians, and still is today.  

As the band re-built, John encouraged parents/carers to learn alongside their children and the band built a real family feel, something that is still a huge culture in the band.  The band was also successful in receiving national lottery funding to build and develop its  instrument stock, and some initial funding to establish a brass band festival called Bandfest.  The band also explored concert tours abroad, returning many times to perform alongside friends from Rachtig, situated in the Moselle region of Germany.  

Alex Francis took over the baton in 2007 as part of his role with the music service, and continued to build on the strong foundations the band was built on. In 2012, the band became Music Hub partners and once again grew in numbers, with many members staying with the band as they moved into adult working life or returning after university studies. Some former members went on to play music professionally, including with the armed forces. The band is also proud of those members who went on to play for some of the elite bands in the country including Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and the multiple current members who play for the National Youth Brass Band of Great  Britain. Recently, the band has certainly had a purple patch on the contest stage, qualifying for the National Finals four times in the last five years, and were crowned Yorkshire 3rd Section Champions 2024. 

To celebrate and connect with players new and old, the band have arranged a ‘50th Party in the  Park’, at Elsecar Park, on Wednesday 17th July, 7.00pm starts. Fundraising on the evening will be split between the local charity BIADS (Barnsley Independent Alzheimers and Dementia Support) and the band, to support with the costs associated with travel to the National Finals in Cheltenham in September. Please bring along a chair and keep your fingers crossed for sunshine!

Barnsley Metropolitan Band are very proud to turn 50 years old, and would like to thank all who have contributed to making it successfully to a half century! The band is now looking forward to the future and evolving with the modern world without ever forgetting its past. 

June, 2024