Tutbury Band is a real community Wind Band based in the beautiful East Staffordshire village of Tutbury. There is a long tradition of music in Tutbury and the Burton On Trent area. While many local bands are brass bands, however, Tutbury Band is a Wind Band - alternatively called Concert Band - consisting of brass, woodwind and percussion sections. Our repertoire is about as varied as it gets, with music from film and stage, contemporary popular arrangements and a few more symphonic and classical pieces.

Formed in 1980 by the then local school headmaster Malcolm Heywood, Tutbury Band today consists of two full Concert Wind Bands - a Senior Band for the more experienced players and a Junior Band for the less. We even have a Training Band for complete beginners wanting their first experience in ensemble playing .

The Senior Band is directed by Kevin Orton and is Tutbury Band�s principle concert band. Rehearsals are Saturday mornings from 10 o�clock until 12 at Rolleston Scout Hall. Engagements include local summer shows in villages such as Tutbury, Alrewas and Sudbury as well as more formal concerts at Burton Town Hall and charity events throughout East Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Entry into Senior Band is by audition, mainly in September and October. With a band this size we have to consider new players carefully, but we would never want to turn away keen capable musicians. The standard of entry into Senior Band is around Associate Board Grade 4. In October 2007 the Senior Band traveled 450 miles north to Strathpeffer in the Scottish Highlands for a long weekend. Here we played two concerts, including one with the Strathpeffer Pipe Band. In 2008 we will be playing many concerts throughout the year, including ending off the Tutbury Music Festival at the Castle and a Festival of Music and Drums at Rolleston Scout HQ along with Junior Band and some special guests. Check the diary page for all the details.

Tutbury Junior Band rehearses at Richard Wakefield School in Tutbury on Wednesday evenings from 6.30 until 8.15, under the direction of Richard Woodberry. With around 60 players, the Junior Band is itself a complete concert band that performs regularly at local primary school summer fetes, the Mother�s Day service in the parish church as well as joining the Senior Band at the annual Christmas Concert in Burton Town Hall. Junior band is also taking part in the 2008 Tutbury Music Festival at the Castle and the Festival of Music and Drums at Rollestion Scounts HQ in the summer. There is no real entry standard for Junior Band, although Associate Board Grade 1 should see the younger players at least able to cope with most of the music. While we carry the title Junior Band, we are not just there for the kids - everyone is welcome. Also on Wednesday evenings we have the Training Band - which is led by Jo Thorpe. This really is a beginners experience to ensemble playing and while it is not designed for instrumental teaching can help develop musicianship at a very early stage.

Tutbury Band was led by its founder, Malcolm Heywood, until August 2004 when he retired with his wife Vic to a quiet village in Yorkshire. Quiet, that is, until Malcolm arrived and started a local Wind Band! Sadly, Malcolm passed away in the Summer of 2006 but his bands play on - us in Tutbury and the new Band in Yorkshire - Buckrose Band under the direction of Malcolm�s Daughter Becca. While Malcolm now gets the Angels to swap harps for clarinets, trumpets, flutes and trombones (etc), we who are so enriched by his legacy salute him.