Tapton Brass was formed in 1994 by its present musical director, Pat Phillips. Originally a school band, it went from strength to strength and attracted so much interest from outside the school that an additional band, Tapton Youth Band, was formed in 2003 to accommodate these extra members. The Tapton Ten-Piece Brass Ensemble was also subsequently created, from the band's most experienced players.
Tapton Band is a multi award-winning band. In both 1997 and 2000 the band won the highly
coveted "Outstanding Performance Award" in the National Festival of Music for Youth, and
subsequently played twice in the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The Tapton
Ten-Piece also enjoyed success in 2000, reaching the finals of the National Festival of
Music for Youth.
In 2003 the band won the Boosey and Hawkes National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, with the band's then principal cornet, Thomas Osborne, also winning Best Soloist prize.
Tapton Band gives many concerts throughout the year, and has performed in prestigious venues and with professional musicians. Performances have included a concert with
the world-famous King's Singers in Sheffield City Hall, hosting international euphonium soloists Bob Childs,
a joint concert with the Los
Angeles Symphonic Winds during their tour to the UK, and two concerts with Grimethorpe Colliery's principal euphonium player, Michael Dodd.
The band was also honoured to be invited to give a concert in the Painted Hall in Chatsworth House, for a private party hosted by the late Duke of Devonshire.
Tapton Band maintains a varied programme of charity work, and has raised in excess of £5000 for charities, including National Children's Homes, Barnardos, St. John's Ambulances, South Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and local organisations including schools and churches.
The highlight of every year is the band's annual concert tours. The band has now given concerts in Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Paris, Spain, Italy, Germany and Southern France. The Tapton Ten Piece also enjoyed its own tour to Belgium.
The Band has now produced eight recordings, "Tapton Brass",
"Tapton Brass Encore", "Champions 2000", "The Ultimate Tapton Brass", "Merry
Christmas Everybody", "Show Stoppers", "The Final Curtain" and "Tapton Brass Greatest
Hits".
The sale of these goes towards the purchase of essential equipment and funding the band's extensive activities.
The band is proud to have been sponsored by
Interserve Facilities Management Ltd
for the cost of their weekly rehearsal premises.
Without this support the band would be unable to maintain its current activities.