About Us
A brief history
Hook Norton Brass Band proudly celebrated its 135th anniversary in 2021.
In 1886 a group of railway workers constructing the Great Western Railway joined together with local villagers in Hook Norton to form the band. The very first rehearsals were held at the brewery because the founder member and first bandmaster was a Mr John Harris, one of the brewery’s directors. The band flourished during the first part of the 20th century, but village bands generally declined after the second world war, for fairly obvious reasons. Hook Norton survived by moving to Banbury and attracting players from a wider area.
The band was granted charitable status in 1999 and has a large stock of instruments so that nobody is prevented from playing by the lack of an instrument.
Links to Hook Norton
Although the band is based here in Banbury, we are proud of our roots in the village of Hook Norton.
The Hook Norton Brewery is our main sponsor, and the current Managing Director James Clarke is our President, as were his father and grandfather before him.
We also return to the village three times a year for our formal Spring, Autumn and Christmas concerts in St. Peter's Church.
Musical Director
Shaun Humphries combines his conducting career with work in education.
He currently works as a music teacher at a middle school in Bedfordshire, is writing a music theory guide as well running a life coaching business for musicians.