Grimethorpe colliery band

Brassed off! Tour 2011

The world's most famous Brass Band and one of the UK's most treasured musical institutions.

Audiences will be treated to some of the finest music-making of its kind ever heard, and at the same time, celebrate the visit of 30 bandsmen who have fought for their survival as musicians, and won.

The Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal Band has been in existence since 1917. It has won virtually every brass band competition in the UK, but with the release of the movie, Brassed Off! its international fame has spread, with the recording of the sound track hitting the best-seller lists around the world.

The name 'Grimethorpe Colliery Band' is carried with great respect and pride, for it is from this unforgiving place, and with the blood and sweat of decades, that Grimethorpe's unique inspirational sound has evolved.

Formed in 1917 as a leisure activity, by a group of workmen from the colliery, the band quickly gained accreditation from its success. The band was sponsored by the colliery and its welfare organisation until 1947. After Nationalisation, the sponsorship was taken over by the National Coal Board and it's Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation.

The subsequent years have seen the band develop into a unique musical ensemble, and one of the U.K.'s most treasured musical institutions, and arguably the finest brass band in the world.

Under the guiding influence of Elgar Howarth, the band is renowned for taking brass music into new spheres. They are the original motivators behind the transcendence into today's modem brass music. An 'outsider' to the brass band world, untainted by myopic tradition, Howarth's association with Grimethorpe was the inspiration behind the commission of new works from the most avant garde composers. This combination was the guiding light into new frontiers of music exploration, offering inspiration to others.

The band proved its diversity in 1977, when it began a long and fruitful association with Pianist and Vocalist Peter Skellern. Numerous television appearances, award-winning recordings, and appearances on concert platforms, was indicative of a very popular combination which still thrills audiences to this day.

The band has toured extensively throughout the world, including The United States of America, Australia, and most European countries, appearing at major Festivals, and continue to thrill audiences throughout Europe with their unique talent. Since 1962 Grimethorpe has competed in 210 contests throughout the world and has been in the top three placing 155 times. an extraordinary achievement.

They have also released a number of CDs that include the music of Wagner and Paganini as well as A Night At The Opera, Let's Face The Music And Dance and of course the soundtrack of Brassed Off!

Grimethorpe's success story continues year after year as the players strive to achieve musical perfection and a level of entertainment unmatched by any other brass band.

For more information about the Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal Band visit www.grimethorpeband.com