January 15, 1946

Leyland Band is born

The Leyland Band was established in 1946 in the heart of industrial Lancashire as the Leyland Motors Band, taking its name from the world famous truck and bus company.

January 4, 1978

Richard Evans appointed

  Richard was recruited to rebuild the Leyland Vehicles Band with the remit of achieving Championship status within three years.

September 7, 2024

British Open Success

What followed was remarkable — the crowning glory, British Open success champions 1994.

October 15, 2005

First National title win

National Champions of Great Britain” for the first time, and earned the right to represent England at the 2006 “European Brass Band Championships”

Lancashire’s finest

For over 60 years the Leyland Band has been producing quality entertainment in brass all across the United Kingdom and abroad. Based in the town Leyland, Lancashire, the band has earned an enviable reputation on both the contest and concert platforms. The last 30 years have been the most successful in the bands history, winning prizes at all the major championships. Leyland were crowned “British Open Champions” in 1994, having won the “All England Masters” in 1989 and 1992 – and again in 2003. In 2005 the band became “National Champions of Great Britain” for the first time, and earned the right to represent England at the 2006 “European Brass Band Championships”. Add to that a formidable record at the “North West Area Championships” which Leyland have won 9 times in 30 years, including 2013, and the band has a record to be proud of.

Leyland have also won the “Brass in Concert Championships” five times, most recently in 2011 which reinforces the bands first class reputation on the concert platform. Performing around 30 concerts each year, the band has played at leading UK venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, Symphony Hall Birmingham, and the Bridgewater Hall Manchester. The band has also toured extensively abroad, visiting Japan twice, the USA four times, South Korea, Norway and all the major European countries numerous times.

The band’s repertoire is extensive and broad to appeal to all tastes. Classical transcriptions, music from the shows, great marches, movie themes, popular song and stunning solos all form part of the standard fare of Leyland’s appearances. Over 40 commercial recordings have been made by the band, to add to numerous radio broadcasts and occasional television appearances. The range of music is complimented by a range styles and flexible ensembles drawn from the band, from full band, eighteen and ten piece groups to quartets and soloists.

The band is delighted to enjoy significant partnerships with the University of Central Lancashire (the UK’s 6th largest university) and the world’s leading instrument manufacturer, Yamaha, both of which are helping the band to broaden its exposure and reach.

Roll Of Honour

British Open Championships

Champions – 1994

Prize winners – 1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018

National Championships of Great Britain

Champions – 2005

Prize winners – 1984, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2010

All England Masters Championships

Champions – 1989, 1992, 2003
Prize winners – 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

Brass in Concert Championships

Champions 1989, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2011

Prize winners – 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015

English National Championships

Prize winners – 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

North West Regional Championships

Champions – 1982, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013

Prize winners – 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022

European Brass Band Championships

Oslo – Pride and Emotion 2013

Leyland gave it their all in the 2013 European Brass Band Championships under the baton of Michael Bach

The magnificent efforts of the band and supporters to be able to fund Leyland’s appearance at the 2013 European Brass Band Championships was rewarded with a performance of true quality in the set work, and a sensational audience reception to the band’s offering in the own choice work. Ultimately though, in what was a very high calibre two days of music making by all the competing bands, Leyland were awarded 7th place overall by the adjudicators and our congratulations go the bands featuring in the prizes.

Fragile Oasis

For their own choice work, Leyland Band commissioned Peter Meechan to compose a brand new piece. Designed to contrast and complement the set work “Myth Forest” (composer Stig Nordhagen), “Fragile Oasis” offered hope in the face of despair, and ultimately reaffirmed the joys of life no less in a fabulously uplifting finale. The piece and Leyland’s performance of it brought the packed hall to its feet in a 5 minute standing ovation.

Prize winners – 2006

Grand Shield (Spring Festival)

Champions – 1981, 2008

Prize Winners – 2006, 2007

“Prize Winners” denotes a top 6 order of merit placing.