About the band
Click for the "Constitution" of the Crystal Palace Band
About the Band Today
Crystal Palace Band (CPB) is one of the few
traditional Brass Bands
remaining in London. It consists
of twenty to thirty musicians
and
plays at a variety of events,
including open-air concerts,
fetes,
carol concerts, parades, brass
band contests, parties and indoor
concerts. Performance fees
are charged and depend on location,
time
and number of players required.
The band also plays and contests
in smaller groups of four to
ten players.
History
Crystal Palace Band was founded as the Upper
Norwood Temperance Prize Band by the Upper
Norwood Temperance Society in 1901, and lived
up to its name in its first year by securing
prizes at all three contests it entered.
Over time it became closely linked with the
Crystal Palace and played there for many
years. After the First World War. permission
was granted in 1924 by the Crystal Palace
Company to change the name to "The Crystal
Palace Band". Read an article from the The British Bandsman
dated 12th January 1902.
In 1936 the band's close association with
the Crystal Palace Company came to an end
when the Crystal Palace burned down. Until
1936 the National Brass band Championships
were held at the Crystal Palace with the
band winning the Grand Shield (Second Section)
Twice in the 1920's. The band reached a peak
during the 1930's as a Championship Section
Band under the baton of Dr Denis Wright, the well-known composer, arranger and conductor.
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| The Band in the mid 60's. Click for more detail. |
After the Second World War the band's fortunes
gradually declined as membership dwindled.
At one time in the 1970's there were only
a handful of players left, but the band kept
going with the determined efforts of a few
die-hards Today there are over 30 playing
members in the main band with a thriving
'B' band as well. The bands resurgence in
fortunes can be measured by their contesting
progress under the enthusiastic musical direction
of Michael Gray. Since the mid 80's, the band has moved from a 4th Section national grading
up to 1st Section (2005 -2008) and now 2nd (from 2008). This reflects the
relatively low turnover of players, and the popularity of our annual band
trips!
In 1996 the band received an extra boost
after being awarded lottery funding from
the Arts Council for England which, together
with its own funds, enabled the purchase
of a whole new set of band instruments. Further
internal investment in the band has followed
since then with the acquisition of new timpani
in 2003, new banners in 2001 and new uniforms
in 1997 which means that the band not only
sounds the part but looks the part too!
CPB has performed at numerous venues over
the years including Royal Parks, seaside
bandstands, concert halls, carnivals, shows,
BBC Radio and has even recorded a soundtrack
for a film. The band has also made numerous
successful trips to Europe including concerts
in Belgium. Holland, Germany and France.
In the band's centenary year (2001) over
£1,800 was raised for St Christopher's Hospice
via two concerts at St John's Church, Penge
and a Gala Centenary Concert at Ravensbourne
School in Bromley (concert review). The Band has continued to support the Hospice every year since and the
total raised is now approaching £10,000.
For the future, the band is looking
forward
to improving musical performances,
further
contest successes and continued
involvement
with the local area. One particular
aim will
be to find and acquire a permanent
rehearsal
room for the band so that it
can continue
to provide musical entertainment.
Read also some interesting items on our archive News Page
If you would like a traditional Brass Band
to play at your event why not get in touch with us? Click to see where we have played in the past.
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