The Massed Bands concert brings together the brass bands of Appledore, Bideford and Torrington and will feature over 60 musicians. Massed Bands first started in 2001 when three local bands decided that holding an annual joint concert would provide an opportunity to show off the brass band talents of the region to full effect. The show continued annually until COVID hit which resulted in the 2020 – 2023 concerts being postponded. 2024 will be the 20th Massed Band concert and we aim to make it as fantastic as always…
Torrington Silver Band
In 1952 members from the Fred Karno’s Band and former members of the Town Band met to form a regular band. Following this meeting which took place in a cafe in the town the Torrington Voluntary Silver Band was born. Permission was granted to use the instruments that were put into trust since the start of World War 2. They continued to play under the direction of Len Short who trained so many young people to play an instrument. During the many years since formation we have had much success culminating in playing at the Royal Albert Hall in the National finals. In 2002 the band came together to celebrate our 50 years and we recorded our own CD, ‘ In the Mood .
This year we will be celebrating 70 years of existence. We will be putting on a special concert celebrating our history in the latter half of this year.
Bideford Town Band
The earliest known reference to the existence of a brass band in Bideford is found in the Bideford Gazette dated March 24th, 1853. This particular band appears to have comprised of just a few players of brass instruments who at times gave public recitals in and around the town.
On February 4th, 1868 a new amateur brass band was formed from the members of the former Devon Volunteer Rifle band. Several gentlemen in the neighborhood subscribed liberally towards it. In August 1879 a new bandstand was erected on the river bank at the cost of 80 guineas.
Contesting has always played a large and very important part of the life of Bideford Band and on June 1st, 1936 the first ever Brass band contest in Devon was held at the Bideford sports ground. The band has maintained this tradition and for about 30 years has organised its own Solo and Quartet contest which is held in Bideford every June and attracts players from far and wide. The band is also a founder member of the South West Brass Band Association (SWBBA) which was formed in 1947 and has enjoyed great success at regional contests organised by them. See the website’s contest page for more information
Appledore Band
There are records of a Town Band in Appledore a far back as the 1880s and records in the bands possession show that from the turn of the century this was a Brass Band. It existed until the 1920s when lack of support and players caused it to be disbanded. The current band is the continuation of a Silver Band formed by Appledore Boys Brigade in 1942.
The Boys Brigade closed down in 1965 but the band continued under the stewardship of Arthur Boyles. Arthur was able to convince 30 people to join the band, 18 Ex-Boys Brigade bandsmen and the rest who were willing to learn! With support from the church council, music theory, fingering was taught in the vicarage once per week and band practice was held in the church school on another The Appledore Silver Band as it became know was, and still is very much a community band. The band has a rich and varied calendar of events from local village fetes and carnivals to formal concerts. During summer they can be found entertaining the crowds on Appledore Quay until late August which climaxes with the annual Appledore Proms.