Band HistoryMarsden Band, established in 1889 moved to its current headquarters, the Marsden Bandroom, Marsden Lane in 1931. 1961 brought success at the famous Belle Vue contest in Manchester winning 1st prize in the senior trophy at the spring festival. In 1989 the band celebrated its centenary. Since 1996 the band has gone from strength to strength, in 1997 the band won 1st prize in the area contest at Bradford. The prize included an invitation to the national finals in the Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Marsden Band achieved 4th place, encouraging the band to further success. The band was promoted to the Second Section in 1998, gaining third place in the Yorkshire area contest that year. Another successful year at the Yorkshire Area Contest saw the band promoted to the First Section for the millennium. In the same year the band also made a number of appearances in the TV series Where the Heart Is, filmed in the local village of Slaithwaite. Building upon its recent successes, the band won the "Best Local" prize in the famous Whit Friday March competitions held in Saddleworth, a competition featured in the movie Brassed Off. The crowning glory for the year was winning the entertainment contests at both Wychavon and Malton. Marsden band continued its winning ways, winning Easingwold March Contest and being placed 3rd in the First Section at the area contest, a notable achievement in its first year in the First Section. In addition the band won a number of the local march contests. 2001 started in style for the band with them winning the "Best Local" prize in the Whit Friday March contests and on the same day being placed overall 1st at the Delph contest, ahead of a number of Championship Section bands. The band also retained its Easingwold March and Malton Entertainment contest titles. The band reached the pinnacle of its contesting success to date, at St Georges Hall, Bradford in March of 2001. Their result in the area competition gained them access, for the first time in their history, to the presigious Championship Section, joining the elite of the Brass Band world. In 2004 the band embarked on a new and exciting period of their history when they appointed Glyn Williams their Musical Director. The past 3 years under the direction of Glyn has proved to be a successful partnership with the band winning many titles, including the French Open. Current honours include:
The band continued their March Contest success in 2007, but this year has proven they can compete at the highest level, with their 2nd place at Pontins. |