About Us
Part of the musical landscape of the East Midlands since 1991, Nottingham Concert Band is an independent community wind band based in West Bridgford, South Nottingham.
The band draws on a diversity of musical styles, from classical transcriptions to contemporary compositions and from film and show compilations to big band favourites, and an extensive repertoire ensures a different programme for each performance.
Since 1993, Nottingham Concert Band has been led by Robert Parker, their Conductor & Music Director. A Graduate and Fellow of Trinity College of Music London, where he studied horn and piano, Robert performs professionally in a wide diversity of contexts. His 30-year journey with Nottingham Concert Band has established the band at the heart of musical life in Nottinghamshire and beyond. Robert has overseen a versatile approach to the band’s repertoire, which has enabled Nottingham Concert Band to perform a range of different styles of music from traditional marches, medleys of music from popular shows both current and vintage, to contemporary compositions and arrangements. In demand as a horn player, including recent tours with the International Film Orchestra (The Music of Harry Potter and The Snowman), Robert performs regularly with John Keys and the Orchestra of the Restoration, the most recent being as soloist in Mozart’s 4th Horn Concerto at St Mary’s Church, High Pavement, Nottingham. Robert is assisted by Associate Conductor Ashley Parnell, who occasionally leads rehearsals and concerts in Robert’s absence.
Under Robert’s baton, Nottingham Concert Band has established a year-round programme of formal evening concerts, plus a busy Summer season of outdoor engagements, ranging from Summer Proms and community fund-raisers to private functions and, of course, our ‘Christmas specials’.
Other activities have included the production of the ‘Sunrise’ CD and the development of the ‘Playday’ concept. Both have provided opportunities for the intense rehearsal of challenging pieces.
Band membership stands currently at over 70 musicians, who come from all across the East Midlands and who range in age from 17 to 80-plus. Rehearsals are held at Rushcliffe School on Boundary Road in West Bridgford each Tuesday evening – except for the Summer, Easter and Christmas holiday periods – and any players interested in attending are invited to get in touch.
See other pages on the site for details on membership requirements, forthcoming concerts and contact points. Our Privacy Policy can be found here.
If you are thinking of booking Nottingham Concert Band for your event, the information in our Concert Organisers’ Pack should answer your immediate questions.
