Latest Band Resume

Pennine Brass was formed in March 1999, with the band's first performance being given on the 8th of May 1999. The band performed 32 times in that first year, culminating in being crowned Northern Open Champions (Section B) in November 1999 at their first major competition.

Based in Huddersfield and formed from a position of zero assets, the founder members, their families and friends provided funding for the band to acquire essential instruments and uniforms, with additional help provided by local bands and Fred Rhodes Ltd. (Oldham).
After a nomadic existence, the band became resident in Crosland Hill, Huddersfield, courtesy of the Crosland Hill Methodist Church.Then because of development work at the church had to move yet again to its new rehearses room at it's base in the Sellers Engineering buildings ,Chapel Hill , Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
The mixture of player generosity, a determined and dedicated Management Team, dynamic musical direction and unrivalled player commitment has made Pennine Brass what it is today; one of the best unsponsored bands in the United Kingdom.

Musical Direction has been a key factor in the band's success. Following the loss of its first Musical Director (Paul Fligg) in August 1999 the band appointed Ian Porthouse to the position. Under his direction the band has enjoyed extensive contest success and gained a reputation for different & exiting concert performances. Ian has brought much needed 'top-flight' brass band experience to the band, having held the principal cornet positions with the Yorkshire Building Society, Black Dyke, Desford & Leyland bands. Ian remains the band’s Musical Director and a key member of the Management Team.

Contest successes have been a regular occurrence both at home and abroad. Millennium year saw the band's first performance at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in the 2nd Section, in which they were victorious, going on to take the runners-up position at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall later that year. After spending just one year in the 1st Section in 2001 (a year which saw victory at the French Open Brass Band Championships and another National Finals appearance) the band were catapulted into the Yorkshire Championship section, where they took their place amongst the cream of the world’s bands in January 2002. Later that year the band was once again crowned as Northern Open Champions, Section A, which firmly established them as a force to be reckoned with at the top level. Autumn 2006 and Pennine Brass continued their success and took first prize in the Harry & Margaret Mortimer Memorial Championship Section at Pontins in Prestatyn.

Concert work remains a strong part of the band's activities: recent performances have been given with some of the top choirs in the country, such as the Honley Male Voice Choir, Warrington Male Voice Choir, Gledholt Male Voice Choir, Honley Ladies Choir and the Huddersfield Methodist Choir. Another notable performance was a BBC Songs of Praise Special in 2002 with BBC TV/Sainbury's Mixed Voice Choir of the Year 2000, the Choros Amici. The band enjoys a balance of working alone and alongside other artists and has brought together a collection of concert pieces on its first CD recording, Prelude.

The band is currently enjoying the strongest line-up of players since its inception and looks to consolidate their position amongst the top bands in the UK.

Pennine Brass welcomes bookings for concerts and engagements of all types. Contact details are given below.