_cropped.JPG)
Today
We are delighted to be back playing again after very few rehearsals (except on Zoom) since March 2019! We already plan to visit Eastbourne again this year to play on their original Victorian bandstand and look forward to playing concerts during the rest of the year. Today the band has over 40 members and is formed of ex-military musicians and civilians who all enjoy performing music together.
The band goes on tour
The band went on tour to Belgium in May 2019. The focus of the tour was to celebrate the soldiers of WWI who died in the Ypres Salient area of Belgium. We played in Bruges historic town square and in front of the famous Cloth Hall in Ypres. The highlight of the tour was the participation of the band in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. See the Tour page for further details and photos.
Mark Atkins conducts
In 2017 Mark Atkins took over the baton from David Smart. Under his leadership, our Band’s eclectic selection of music continues: classical, jazz, blues, rock are all featured in our concerts. We are now rehearsing at the Frimley Community Centre and continue to support local events and charities, as well as playing further afield.
DEBUT! CD
The Farnborough Concert Band of the Royal British Legion proudly presents their first debut album. And take it literally, because the title of the CD is DEBUT! The debut album covers a wide variety of music including marches, folk songs, well-known music from films and musicals, pop and big band songs. You can buy a copy of the CD here: Buy now!
First Field Day
The most unusual event the band performs at is an invitation to play in Victoria Park London for the Field Day Music Festival. The band performs on the bandstand in a "village green" setting, with an average audience age of 22 who thoroughly enjoy the music, which is in total contrast to the indie rock music at the event. An NME review of the 2009 festival praised the band as "the hardest working musicians on site".
Play at SECAMB formation
In 2006, the band was invited back to perform at the Surrey Ambulance Service awards ceremony and as a result of their performance was invited back in 2007. This was to be the Service's last ceremony prior to its merger with Sussex and Kent services and form the new South East Coast Ambulance Service. David Smart was asked to compose a march to mark the occasion. The march was given its premier at the 2007 award ceremony and is called The Rod and Serpent (The March of Surrey Ambulance Service), named after the crest of the service.
David Smart Conducts
In 2003 Eddie Brown retired and handed over the baton to David Smart who became the band's second Director of Music. Since 2003 the band has given performances all over London and the South of England, including performances in France, Belgium and Poland, all received to high acclaim.
First Proms Concert
In 1994, during a band performance at an Aldershot Garrison Mess, the then Garrison Sergeant Major Joe Fairbairn MBE, discussed with the band's conductor, the possibility of producing a traditional British Proms concert to raise money for the benefit of local charities and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
First Concerts
Being based in Aldershot (The Home of the British Army), it naturally transpired that the band started providing musical support to the local Garrison for events such as Regimental Dinner Nights and Church Services. This started to raise the public profile of the band. During the band's early years, it performed at many prestigious events - for example, providing music for the annual dinner for a City of London Livery Company.
Band formation
The Farnborough Concert Band of the Royal British Legion was formed in March 1987 by a group of ex-military musicians under the baton of Mr Eddie Brown as the bands first Director of Music. They rehearsed in the Farnborough Royal British Legion Clubhouse on Sunday mornings.
