The Yorkshire Volunteers Band can trace it's history back to 1860 when it was formed as a Volunteer Corps in Leeds, West Yorkshire, today the band is a civilian military style wind band, who perform throughout the UK and Europe in both concert and marching band formations. The band maintains the long traditions of the Yorkshire Volunteers adding a touch of pomp and circumstance to any event from traditional summer bandstand concerts to country shows with everything in between.
The YV Fanfare Trumpets are very popular at weddings with the Dixieland Jazz Band creating that special atmosphere at less formal functions, while the Dance Band "Yorkshire Swing" nostalgically recreate the big band era, the swinging sixties and beyond.
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Photograph: www.kamaraphoto.com
To see where the band is performing please visit the Forecast page.
Commercial Bookings
You can hire any of the groups for private or military functions.
Click
here for a no obligation enquiry about booking the band or contact:
The Band Manager Dave Stephenson on Tel / Fax: 01924 375934 E-mail: david.stephenson15@yahoo.co.uk
The Bands CD's are available on the Merchandise page.
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Marching Display Band Germany Tour 2006 |
Major J. Boden BA. A(Mus) LCM |
Concert Band on Stage |
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Marching Band |
Corps of Drums
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Fanfare Trumpets |
Dixieland Band |
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WANTED: Cornet / Trumpet also Tuba, Trombone, Euphonium (all bass clef readers), other wind band instrumentalists are also welcome. Contact: Dave Stephenson 01924 375934 |
Band Membership: There is no membership fee and all equipment is issued free of charge.
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Why Not Join Our Team ? Our Crops of Drums also welcomes new members to join it's successful ranks, no previous experience is required. Contact: Dave Stephenson 01924 375934 |
Fanfare Teams range from 4 to 13 Trumpets |
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YV Saxophone Quartet |
Right ~
YV Bayerishe Blaskapelle German Oomph Bier Keller Band |
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Right ~ YVB at the 2007 Birmingham Tattoo |
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Band History
"They wouldn't fade away"
The Band first came into existence in 1860, as the Band of the 7th Yorkshire
West Riding Rifle Volunteer Corps (Leeds Rifles),
which had been formed in 1859.
The uniform worn by the Band was, at first, green, but it later adopted
the 1891 pattern of Rifle Brigade dress. Initially the Regimental March
was "The Huntsmans Chorus", changing during the 1870's to "I'm
Ninety-Five". In 1887, when the Leeds Rifles became the 3rd Volunteer
Battalion the Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (Leeds Rifles),
they adopted "Ca ira" as the Regimental March. This Former French
Revolutionary marching air was "stolen" by the 14th of Foot at
the Battle of Farmers in 1793. Drummers of the 14th were ordered to strike
up the tune that the French were playing, causing confusion and dismay among
the enemy.
In 1967 the Yorkshire Volunteers was formed from the Territorial Battalions
of the Yorkshire Infantry Regiments, the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment
of Yorkshire, the Green Howards, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment and the
Hallamshire Battalion, the York and Lancaster Regiment. The Leeds Rifles
Band became part of this new Regiment, but was designated "The Yorkshire
Brigade Band TAVR" now wearing a blue uniform. In 1969 the name changed
to the Regimental Band Yorkshire Volunteers (Leeds Rifles).
Subsequently, the band became known as The Yorkshire Volunteers Band and
adopted the traditional scarlet tunic of infantry bands. There was little
problem adopting the Regimental March of the Yorkshire Volunteers "Ilkla Moor". As a consequence of the unpopular Strategic Defence Revue 1998, the Band
was axed. However, following the pattern, set by the Leeds Rifles, of refusing
to go away when "asked", the Band remained. Its members agreed to form a civilian band, still called the Yorkshire
Volunteers continuing almost 150 years of "True Yorkshire Grit". The band is now available for commercial bookings.
New members are always welcome (subject to standard and vacancies). The band rehearses every Sunday morning in Castleford, West Yorkshire, 10.00 - 12.15 (with a break).
Please contact: The Band Manager Dave Stephenson on Tel / Fax: 01924 375934 (evenings), E-mail: david.stephenson15@yahoo.co.uk
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