A historic County Durham Silver band celebrated its 200-year anniversary last month with a show-stopping concert at Consett’s Empire Theatre.
Stanhope Silver Band, from Weardale in County Durham, celebrated its bicentennial by playing to a packed-out audience in Consett’s Empire Theatre on May 19.
The band, consisting of 45 members, came together for the special occasion, playing smash hit ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen as well as traditional pieces including ‘Benedictus’.
Read more: Emerging music artists to headline at Durham Brass
Chairman of the band, Sean Hayes, told The Northern Echo that the band has “brought people together” in the community for decades.
He said: “The feedback from the concert from locals and visitors has been really positive, people loved it.
“They enjoyed it, saying the music was amazing. They loved to know they have been there for our 200th anniversary concert.”
He added: “At the concert, we tried to cover music across the ages. We tried to play music that represents the band but represents the time that we have been around.
Joining the band at just eight years old, Sean has now been a member for 41 years alongside members of his family who have played in the past.
The band has a proud and established history in the community, with the first record of Stanhope Silver Band being in 1823, making the band one of the oldest in the country.
Currently located on Cross Street in Stanhope, the band brings together talented players for important community events each year including the Durham Miners Gala.
For Margaret Craigs, who has been an active member of Stanhope Silver Band for 28 years, music is a family affair.
Over the years seven women in her family have played in the band, including her young granddaughters who are carrying on the tradition.
Following the event, Margaret told the Echo how special Stanhope Silver Band is to her family and the community.
She said: “It’s absolutely wonderful because we do everything together. It’s like a big happy family with all of the other band members.
“The Consett concert was fabulous because we had a lot of former players attend and members of other bands come to help us.”
Read next:
- Durham Brass Festival’s Bond themed opening act revealed
- Consett Junior Brass celebrate 50th year & David Jackson with concert
However, despite the fact bands like Stanhope may not be as well known as they were in the past, Margaret and her family are immensely proud to carry the band forward into the future.
“It is something different, but we are keeping that legacy going.”
Following celebrations, the band is focusing on recruiting more people to join, as Margaret admits “anyone of any age” can play an instrument.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here