The Enderby Band

Introduction

Midlands 1st Section Area Champions 2014 & 2019

1st Section National Finalists 2018 & 2019

Bolsover 1st Section Champions and 'Most Entertaining Band' 2018

Wychavon 'Most Entertaining Band' and 1st Section Champions 2017

Shirebrook Entertainment Champions 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2019

Woodfarm Brewery 1st Section Champions and 'Band of the Day' 2015 & 2016

The Enderby Band (sometimes referred to as The Senior Band), is the organisation’s premier ensemble and the root from which the Enderby Band Organisation has grown. Village records state that there was a temperance band in Enderby in the 1850’s, however the band was officially formed in 1895 when members of the temperance band joined with a new group to form the Enderby Band.

From these early days the band quickly grew and throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s they were the pride of Enderby and much in demand, often being invited to attend more engagements than they could possibly fulfil. It was not unusual for the band to appear at three different engagements on a Sunday during the summer; church in the morning and then two concerts in the local parks. One tradition that survives to this day is for the band to be out on Christmas and Boxing Day mornings entertaining the residents of Enderby Village with carols and festive music.

During the inter-war years the band was very successful, getting promoted to the highest tier of brass band competition and adopting the name ‘Enderby Silver Prize Band’ as a mark of their achievements. However the onset of World War 2 had the inevitable effect on membership and the standard declined.

After the War, the band reformed, but it seemed destined to never achieve its former glory. In fact by the mid-seventies, the band was all but defunct. At this point Garry Sleath (now the Organisation’s President), took on the task of rebuilding the band. Success returned to the band, numbers grew and a youth band was formed. Enderby Band again began to achieve significant contest successes and have remained as a top-end First Section Band since the mid-eighties. During this time the band has twice spent time in the Championship Section and in 2020 the band once again find themselves in the elite Championship Section, having gained promotion from the 1st Section. Our aim is to continue and consolidate our Championship Section status and to continue to perform at the very highest level.

The current band is a well balanced mix of players from our own youth band and a number of experienced players from Leicestershire and the wider Midlands region. We are proud to state that around half of the band's current members have come through the ranks of the Organisation. Once again the band is enjoying a period of contesting success, with qualification for the National Finals and successes at contests around the country showing that the band is building a genuine nationwide profile, whilst still being a proud and active member of the local community.

Whilst contest success is good for bragging rights, as a community band, the concert platform is not overlooked. The band’s philosophy is to perform to the highest standard possible, whilst still providing a good value and enjoyable entertainment experience for its audience and its players. As well as its own concerts in and around Enderby, the band has become a regular contributor to events at Leicester’s Curve Theatre, appearing in the Christmas production of Hello Dolly, at Curve’s 5th Anniversary event and for the recent World War 1, 2 and Queen's birthday commemoration concerts. The band has also featured in two productions of the stage musical ‘Brassed Off’ and has twice appeared at De Montfort Hall with a combined Rock Choir to perform in concerts which raised tens of thousands of pounds for the local Rainbows charity.