The West Yorkshire Police Band
Band History
The band was formed out of the Bradford and Leeds City Police Bands when in 1974 the Leeds and Bradford Forces amalgamated to form part of The West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police. The bands merged to become the West Yorkshire Police Band. Initially the band was military in style, with woodwind, band format.
Originally comprised solely of serving police officers, the band now draws from the wider police family, retired police officers and members of the public. The band has one of the largest number of regular volunteers for West Yorkshire Police contributing an average of 4500 volunteering hours each year.
About the Band
Since its inception, the band has entertained audiences across West Yorkshire and the UK and, more recently, as its reputation has grown it has reached an international audience. All appearances are made with the permission of the Chief Constable.
We have been guests of the Last Post Association in Ypres, Belgium since 2004 and performed at the Last Post Ceremony under the Menin Gate and remembrance ceremonies in and around the Ypres area.
We took part in D-Day commemorations on the 65th and 70th Anniversaries in the Normandy area. In 2016 we were part of the Olympic Homecoming Parade in Leeds.
In 2006 our Fanfare Trumpeters played at Wakefield Cathedral for the visit by Queen Elizabeth II to distribute the Maundy Money, just one of several occasions that the band has played for Her Majesty. The fanfare trumpeters perform at a variety of ceremonial events including the annual opening service for the North Eastern Circuit of Judges, Magistrates and Members of the Legal Profession at York Minster. They have also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019 with the British Police Symphony Orchestra opening proceedings with the Gordon Jacobs National Anthem.
We were privileged to be invited to New York on two occasions to help commemorate the 5th and 10th anniversaries of 9/11. In September 2006 on the 5th anniversary, the band played at the site of the British Memorial Garden, Hanover Square in Manhattan. Whilst in America the band also performed for the local community of Long Valley, New Jersey who kindly provided members of the band with accommodation during their stay. In 2011 for the 10th Anniversary, we were invited back to New York. The band played in concerts at the Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and the New York Police Department Museum in Lower Manhattan. On 9/11/11 the band returned to play at the British Memorial Garden in Hanover Square, along with the Allied Forces Pipes and Drums and the combined choirs of Tayside Police, Lothian & Borders and In Chorus.
What We Offer
The West Yorkshire Police Band primarily performs for the entertainment of the community within West Yorkshire. Our concert programme varies from classical to rock; solemn to uplifting and caters for all tastes.
As a full brass band we have around 25 to 30 players but can also provide smaller ensembles which is ideal for smaller venues or occasions.
We are available to lead, or be part of, civic and ceremonial parades.
We can also provide a fanfare trumpet team in full regalia, adding a musical flourish to any grand event or ceremony.
We can supply buglers for Last Post engagements throughout the county.
You can follow the band on Twitter @WYP_band
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westyorkshirepoliceband
Enquiries
Email [email protected]
Engagements
Please keep checking the website for further announcements and confirmation for all engagements.
March
14th March - Kirklees District Awards (internal)
16th March - Full band concert Meanwood Holy Trinity 7pm
23rd March - Long Service Medals Ceremony (internal)
April
14th April - Full band concert Horbury Community Centre 2pm
21st April St George's Day Parade and Service Wakefield 1.30pm
May
12th May - Full Band Concert Kippax Band Club 8pm
18th May - Long Service Medals Ceremony (internal)
June
7th June - Force Awards (internal)
9th June - Full band concert Golden Acre Park Leeds 2.30pm
30th June - Armed Forces Day Parade Leeds - 11am
July
18th July - Full band concert Leeds Parish Church 7.30pm
August
3rd August - Full band concert Wetherby Band Stand 2.30pm
September
7th September - Full band concert - Rushbearing Festival Sowerby Bridge 5pm
12th September - Chief Constable's Summer Concert (internal)
15th September - Full band charity concert Normanton Catholic Church 2.30pm
October
5th October - Long Service Medals Ceremony (internal)
16th October - Operations Support Awards (internal)
19th October - Full band concert with Skelmanthorpe MVC Ossett Town Hall 7.30pm
November
9-12th November - Ypres Remembrance Parades
23rd November - Long Service Medals Ceremony (internal)
30th November - Full band concert - St Mary's Woodkirk 2pm
December
8th December - Overgate Hospice Light up a Life Service 4pm