Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band was founded in 1994 by Ray Thompson and Glen Hogg. Since the first rehearsal of twenty-four members in November of that year, the Band progressed quickly under the musical direction of Ray. The first concert in March 1995 was to a near sell-out audience after which it was acclaimed to be a musical group of considerable repute both in Alnwick and beyond.

After Ray’s retirement in 2020, former Military Musician Andy Taylor took up the baton to further the Playhouse Band’s musical journey. He has continued the development of the Band and challenges the musicality of members as he draws upon the classics of the past blended together with the works of modern composers.

The Playhouse Concert Band is non-profit making being funded from proceeds from ticket sales, donations and members termly subscriptions. All monies received are used to purchase music, instruments and equipment, and the rental of rehearsal spaces.

The Concert Band performs regularly at the Alnwick Playhouse, the Alnwick Gardens and other venues around Northumberland. We play concerts in the summer and at Christmas on the bandstand at Beamish Museum and have a long-standing commitment to the ‘switch-on ceremony’ of the Alnwick Christmas Lights.

Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band are available for bookings of all types, such as concerts, community events and functions. Please get in touch at contact.apcb@gmail.com for more information.