The Bradford Youth concert Band, formerly known as the Bradford Metropolitan Band, was formed in October 1977 by Robert (Bob) Hardy.

Mr Hardy was asked to form the band, with a grant of £50, to incorporate the more capable members from the junior section of the Bradford Metropolitan Concert Band.

The band was originally made up of 7 players:

- 3 Cornets

- 3 Clarinets

- 1 Euphonium

but soon grew to a full compliment of players

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bradford Metropolitan Youth Band 1982

Mr. Hardy retired after 12 years of service in November 1989 where he handed over to Norman Shaw, who was to be the band's musical director for the next 2 years.

Following his retirement, Mr. Hardy continued to be closely associated with the band through mentoring younger players and was Life President of the band until his death in July 2002 at the age of 81.

In 1991, the band gained the services of a new musical director, Eric Parker. Mr. Parker had previously played in the band in its formative years before going on to be musical director of the Bradford Metropolitan Junior Band, which served as feeder band to the Youth Band. Mr. Parker led the Bradford Youth Concert Band successfully for the next 9 years before retiring to be replaced by Winston Sutcliffe in 2000. The band's youngest, musical director, Jonathan Pickles, took up the baton in 2001.

Over the years the band has performed around 1000 concerts and has won numerous trophies and awards including the Robertshaw Music Festival on 7 occasions and the Warfedale Festival on 5 occassions.

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We are featured in the Woods publication “Music Making in the West Riding of Yorkshire” and the band is well known in the Eccleshill area for the popular Christmas concerts until recently were held at St Luke’s Church. A CD was also recorded at the bands 25th anniversary concert held in 2002 which also included past members.

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As many of our players have grown and stayed with the band it has become a band of all ages and mixed ability. So as of 2014 and in its 37th year the band decided to change the name and the image to best represent the band as it is but not forgetting its history. The name was changed to NoteAbility Concert Band.

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Towards the end of 2015 Musical Director Jonathan retired from conducting and in November Gary White took his place to lead the band to the next chapter. Since then the band and its ability has been going from strength to strength.