Norfolk Brass

Norfolk Brass was formed during the early part of the twentieth century as the Reepham Temperance Band and later changed its name to the Reepham Town Band. Mr E T Ruffles, the musical director at the time, assisted with the formation of the East Anglian Brass Band Association, of which Reepham Band was a founder member.

In the early Seventies the Band saw a revival under the then Chairman Bill Holden and  improved its technical ability to enable entry into national competitions. During the eighties, ReephamTown Band was able to attract financial support from Bernard Matthews plc and became Matthews Norfolk Brass. In 2008, following a change of sponsors to the Hickling Greyhound and Targetfollow plc, the band became Norfolk Brass.

Norfolk Brass has achieved considerable recognition as both a contesting and concert band. In recent years the Band has played for the Queen Mother and HRH Prince of Wales at Sandringham. In the summer of 2005, the band was invited to play at Caister Lifeboat Station to celebrate the launch of a new lifeboat in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (Charles and Camilla).

The Band has also appeared at the Waldorf Hotel in London and in a national advertisement for the launch of the 'Hamwich' - a product of Bernard Matthews plc. It was also selected to feature at the theatre production of 'Brassed Off' during its week long visit to Norwich, at the Theatre Royal.

No stranger to the stage, the Band's concerts have included supporting Don Lusher (trombone), Evelyn Glennie (percussion), Julian Lloyd Webber (cell0), Steve Sykes (tuba), Sheona White (tenor horn), Roger Webster (cornet) and Steven Meade (euphonium).

The band also has a successful contesting history. In 2009, it achieved third place at the First Section finals of the National Brass Band Championships in Harrogate. Following this considerable achievement, in October 2009, the band was ranked 111th in the World of Brass and 4 Bars Rest World Rankings of Brass Bands.