The City of Birmingham Brass Band
Heritage Page
We’re very interested in our history at The City of Birmingham Brass Band and would like to share as much of it with you as possible. From the bands incorporation during the Second World War right up to our most recent achievements.
Please have a read through the timeline below we think it’s really interesting.
We’d also like to hear from anyone who has any information to share about the band. Your experiences, Places you’ve been, things you’ve played. Please get in touch and help us build up this timeline.
The Fisher & Ludlow Works Band
The Band started life as The Fisher & Ludlow Works Band, having been set up during the Second World War by and for the car body manufacturing company’s workers.
During the war, the factory’s manufacturing activities were diverted to making aeroplane wings, shell cases and bombs, notably for Lancaster’s. Towards the end of the war, the factory in central Birmingham was bombed and destroyed. Fisher & Ludlow moved into the Spitfire factory in Castle Bromwich and became the first post war owners of the factory. The band moved with them and continued to thrive.
Inventory Book
Take a look at this Inventory Book from 1955 showing the members of the band and what instruments they played. We find the fact that it’s a book specially made for a Brass Band to be quite interesting! note the column titles printed onto each page. It’s also fascinating seeing how the handwriting changes throughout the years showing new members taking over rolls within the band.
The Shining Brass Band Festival of Great Britain
In 1956 The Fisher & Ludlow Works Band placed 1st in the Grand Shield Section of The Shining Brass Band Festival of Great Britain.
Conductor -Cyril Yorath
Test Piece – Suite in Bb
Composer – Gordon Jacob
The Pressed Steel Fisher Band
Following the merger of Fisher & Ludlow with the Pressed Steel Company in 1966, the band changed its name to become The Pressed Steel Fisher Band.
Grote Kerk te Veere
A Concert poster from 1967
The Band played at the Grote Kerk te Veere in the Netherlands
The poster shows The Band, Date, Time and Price.
Stating “One of England’s best known Brass Bands”
The City of Birmingham Brass Band
In 1976 the band’s major contribution to civic life was recognised by the city council; and the band have been known as City of Birmingham Brass Band ever since.
Celebrating 50+ Years with the Band
Barbara Dunscombe has been a member of the band since the early 70s. 2023 was a year or celebration, holding a massed bands concert with players from all over the country coming to help celebrate this massive milestone with Barbara and the band.
Barbara 50 Years in Banding pdf
The King's Coronation
City of Birmingham Brass Band helped celebrate King Charles’ Coronation on the 6th May 2023 in Centenary Square, Birmingham in an event conducted by Birmingham City Council
