It’s time to play in concert

About 40 enthusiastic musicians turned up for rehearsals of a new Bradford band in April 1975. The bumper turnout, sparked by an advert in the Bradford Star’s sister paper the Telegraph & Argus, led to the formation of the Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band (BMCB), which was originally called the Bradford Metropolitan Military Band. It’s founder members were Ken Hall, who is now the musical director and life vice president, and the late Ken Dinsdale and Harry Coleman. The trio had experience of being members of civilian and army bands and felt Bradford needed a military band which included woodwind instruments as well as the characteristic brass instruments. Its first concert was just three months later at Fairweather Green Working Men’s Club, and within a couple of years the band was scooping awards for it’s performances in competitions and festivals. Today, the band is still going strong and has 37 members of all ages from teenagers up to more experienced players. The group meets at Baildon Hall, Hallfield drive, Baildon. on Thursdays, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, and Sundays from 10.00am to 12.00pm, under the musical direction of Ken Hall. The band is busy rehearsing for their Christmas concerts, see the events calander for details. The group also meets socially and for an annual dinner dance or other events. In recent years the band has been involved in pantomimes with drama group Drama Unlimited and has given a number of concerts around the country. Anyone who would like to book the band, or are interested in finding out more, can contact Ken Hall on (01274) 636590.