The origins of Strata Brass can be traced back to 1889, with the band celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2014. We have been known under several different names over the years, including ‘Hoyland Rechabites’, ‘Cortonwood Colliery’, ‘Hoyland Town Ireland Alloys’, ‘Wards Brewery’, ‘Weaver Building Group’ & the current name of ‘Strata Brass’

The band are currently under the Musical Direction of Jonathan Bates, who accepted the position in July 2017. Jonathan balances conducting the band with a successful playing career, where he is currently Solo Horn for the world famous Foden’s Band.

The band performs around 12 concerts each year, predominantly in the South Yorkshire area. We also travel further afield & have taken part in the annual Durham Miners Gala for the last 7 years.

In addition we take part in numerous competitions, winning prizes for entertaining programmes & technical ability. Examples of such in recent years:

Champions at Whiston Festival of Brass (Entertainment Contest) – 2015, 2016
Runners up in Yorkshire Regional Contest (1st Section) – 2015
Winners of Yorkshire Regional Contest (1st Section) – 2018
Soloist Prize awarded to Adele Ashton (Solo Horn)
Runners up at Shirebrook (Entertainment Contest) – 2018
Both recent Yorkshire Regional Contest successes have granted the band the chance to perform at the National Finals, held in Cheltenham. We will also be promoted back to the Championship Section for 2019.

The band is fully self-funding & raise money through a variety of means; primarily concerts, membership subscriptions for players & sales of CD recordings. Concerts are also an opportunity for us to support charitable organisations; in July 2017 we took part in a concert that raised over £1100 for ‘Breast Cancer Now’.

We also offer supporters of the band the option to join a patron’s scheme & actively continue to seek sponsorship. We would be more than happy to discuss any of these options in more detail.