History of the band

Although contest results have been an important factor in Fairey’s reputation as one of the world’s leading brass bands, the band is also renowned for its unique ‘Fairey sound’, a feature that has become synonymous with the famous name. The band is highly regarded for bringing a ‘touch of class’ to its concert performances and is therefore in constant demand for concerts, both at home and abroad. Overseas tours have included performances in Canada, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Since its formation, the band has worked with an illustrious line-up of conductors including Harry Mortimer, Leonard Lamb, Kenneth Dennison, Richard Evans, Walter Hargreaves, Geoffrey Brand, Major Peter Parkes, Roy Newsome, James Gourlay, Howard Snell, Allan Withington and Russell Gray. Most recently, the band has appointed Adam Cooke as their musical director in their continued drive for musical excellence on both the concert and contest stage.

The band has always welcomed innovation and in recent years has enjoyed further recognition outside the confines of the Brass Band movement, with its involvement in the ‘Acid Brass’ project. Under this banner, the band has been able to display its versatility in adapting to a very different musical concept and consequently, has performed in rock/pop festivals in the UK and overseas, bringing brass bands to a new audience.