Brass Bands of Lanarkshire

Shire Extra supports Lanarkshire’s many brass bands, as well as events and festivals that celebrate this important sound of Lanarkshire’s culture, especially within the former industrial and mining communities. We have programs dedicated to this genre on Monday evenings, produced by Sounds Of Brass Radio in Girvan.  We also endeavour to attend events within Lanarkshire where pipe bands regularly perform. 

Historically, Lanarkshire has had far more brass bands than any other county in Scotland, with almost every town, village and even some hamlets having at least one throughout the decades and centuries. Many of Lanarkshire’s industrial and commercial companies sponsored or supported brass bands. Some had their own practising halls that the bands owned and were also used as venues for party events, whilst others used working men’s clubs. 

Brass bands originated in the early 19th century and were originally part of the military, playing music for ceremonies and marches. Research by Dr. Eamonn O’Keeffe of the University of Cambridge suggests that military veterans first performed with brass bands during the Napoleonic Wars. They quickly became popular and began performing in public spaces, parks, and at social events. 

During the 19th century, amateur bands began to emerge in towns and villages throughout Lanarkshire at a time when military bands were becoming more common in Scotland and England, with the leaders of the new community ensembles being former military bandmasters. 

Throughout the industrial revolution, many of Lanarkshire’s small communities rapidly grew, bringing large numbers of people together in the developing villages and towns across the county, which also ensured that large groups of working men came together in workplaces and social establishments, such as workers clubhouses. Many bands were formed during this time by workers in Lanarkshire’s collieries, steelworks, ironworks, mills and factories. Employers often encouraged their workers to create and participate in this activity, considering this to be a good use of workers free time and was much more preferable to drinking in pubs. 

The bands comprised of a mix of flutes, clarinets, drums, trumpets and horns. In those early years, the sounds and notes were limited. However, by the mid-1800’s, technical developments with the instruments allowed all notes of the chromatic scale to be played, making for a wider range of melodies. 

Many bands were formed using a public subscription model, with donations made by leading figures of communities. Revenues were also raised through other fundraising activities. As well as ensuring their existence and paying for a place to practice, funds were also used to purchase sets instruments, uniforms and even erect bandstands in some towns.

As the number of brass bands grew, so came the introduction of brass band contests, which saw many bands competing against ensembles from other parts of Scotland or the UK.  This still occurs today. 

The number of brass bands in Lanarkshire reached a peak in the early twentieth century. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, many performers volunteered to serve in the military. After the war, some bands never re-formed due to low membership numbers and the tragic loss of some of their members. The loss of heavy industries in many towns and villages throughout the latter half of the twentieth century also caused many bands to dissolve. 

As the years passed, more women joined local brass ensembles that were still in existence. This changed the dynamic of bands from consisting predominantly of working class men to having a more diverse range of backgrounds.

Lanarkshire’s remaining brass bands continue to be seen at local community events, especially gala days, Highland Games and agricultural shows. 

Below is a list of local and community brass bands within or near Lanarkshire, with their website and social media links. At the bottom of this page are links to pipe band organisations.  If you are curious and want to view our list of 180 former and historical brass bands in Lanarkshire and the communities they represented, click HERE. 

LANARKSHIRE

Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes
Website   Facebook   Twitter   YouTube

Clydesdale Community Concert Band
Facebook

Coalburn Brass Band Family
Website   Facebook

Croy Silver Band
Website   Facebook   YouTube

Leadhills Silver Band
Facebook   Twitter

Newmains & District Brass Band
Facebook

Shotts St Patrick’s Brass Band/Shotts Development Band
Website   Facebook

CITY of GLASGOW

Cooperation Band
Website   Facebook

King’s Park Brass Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Sanquhar & District Silver Band
Facebook

Dumfries Town Band
Facebook   Twitter

Annan Town Band
Facebook

EAST AYRSHIRE

Dalmellington Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

Kilmarnock Concert Brass
Website   Facebook

Newmilns & Galston Brass Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE

Kirkintilloch Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter

Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass Band
Website   Facebook

EAST RENFREWSHIRE

Barrhead Burgh Band
Facebook   Twitter

FALKIRK DISTRICT

Bo’Ness & Carriden Band
Facebook   Twitter

Unison Kinneil Band
Facebook   Twitter

WEST LOTHIAN

Bathgate Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube

Broxburn & Livingston Band
Facebook   Twitter

Queensferry Community Brass Band
Website   Facebook

Whitburn Brass Band
Website   Facebook   Twitter    YouTube

SCOTTISH BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BANDS of SCOTLAND
Facebook

Written by A.G.G. and D.W. (31/12/24)