About Emley Band
About
the band.
Founded in 1870, we’re a traditional village brass band based in Emley, West Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Day at Emley Moor, 2026 · Photo via Huddersfield Hub ↗Band history
Our
history.
The band was founded in 1870. We continue that tradition through concerts, contests and community events.
We have our own bandroom on Beaumont Street, opposite the White Horse pub. This is where we rehearse on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Our performances include concerts, weddings, parades and local celebrations. We play a range of music suited to different occasions.
Band history
Through
the years.
An early Emley line-up, pictured with the band’s bass drum.
The band with its contest trophies, around 1964.
An earlier line-up of Emley Brass Band.
The band pictured together in September 2009.
The conductor leading the band during a rehearsal.
The band is founded
Emley Brass Band was founded in 1870, developing from a woodwind and brass ensemble.
Emley Public Band
In the early 1950s, the band was known as Emley Public Band.
Contesting under Charlie Westerby
Charlie Westerby conducted the band for more than 20 years. This was a successful period of contesting, with the band winning a number of trophies.
A record of contest success
A photograph taken around 1964 records the band with a collection of trophies from this period.
Clayton West and Emley Band
Emley Band and Clayton West Band combined in 1965, becoming Clayton West and Emley Band.
Emley Miners Welfare Band
The band later received sponsorship from the coal mine in Emley and became known as Emley Miners Welfare Band.
The coal mine closes
The pit closed in 1985. As with many brass bands at the time, Emley faced a difficult period and worked hard to keep going. During this period, the band had several conductors and struggled for consistent contest results.
Renamed Emley Brass Band
The band was renamed Emley Brass Band around 1988–1989, following the end of its affiliation with the mining industry.
Funding for the bandroom
The Foundation for Sport and the Arts awarded the band a grant to refurbish its bandroom.
The refurbished bandroom opens
The refurbished bandroom was opened by Keith Hellawell, then Chief Constable of West Yorkshire.
New instruments
A National Lottery grant enabled the band to buy a new set of brass instruments and additional equipment for the percussion section.
Working with Cawthorne Band
Emley Brass Band joined forces with Cawthorne Brass Band under conductor Brian Frost. The bands held joint rehearsals and concerts during this period, but did not enter contests.
A return to contesting
The bands separated by mutual consent. Cawthorne remained non-contesting, while Emley returned to the contest stage under Ian Knapton.
Ian Knapton moves on
Ian Knapton left at the end of 2001, leaving the band without a conductor.
Qualification under Jack Boden
Jack Boden stepped in and led the band at the Yorkshire Area contest, where it qualified for the 2002 National Finals in Torquay.
Marc Robins joins
Marc Robins became the band’s conductor. A Barnsley College graduate who had studied under David Hirst, his first contest with Emley was the National Finals in Torquay.
Garry Hallas takes over
Garry Hallas began conducting the band in 2003. In the years that followed, Emley competed at contests around the country and won trophies, including prizes at entertainment contests, while continuing its concert programme.
Promotion to the Second Section
Emley was promoted to the Second Section in 2013, its highest section up to that point. The band later returned to the Third Section.
150th anniversary concert
The band held its anniversary concert after the pandemic delayed the original celebrations.
Yorkshire Regional Championships
The band finished as Second Section runners-up at the Yorkshire Regional Championships and qualified for the National Finals.
Browse the archive photographsThe band today
Emley continues to rehearse, present concerts and take part in local events.
Visiting a rehearsal
Our
rehearsals.
Mondays & Wednesdays
8pm–10pm
Emley Bandroom
9 Beaumont Street, Emley
Huddersfield, HD8 9RJ
Please contact us before visiting, so we can arrange a suitable evening.
Information about joiningBook the band
Booking
enquiries.
If you’d like to book the band for an event, please get in touch to discuss availability and arrangements.