It all started in 1976. Eric Darlington formed a school band for a one-off performance as part of the celebratory events surrounding the transition of the Hinckley Grammar School into the John Cleveland College. The concert was a success, the band carried on, and the rest (as they say) is history. 

Three years later, in 1979, the band played its first concert at the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley. Delighted with the warm welcome they received, this Christmas show has been a highlight of the concert calendar for the last four decades.

From its 'College band' days, through to its very different current format, the band has built a reputation for entertaining sell-out audiences locally, and at many destinations throughout Europe. Several band members have been with Eric since those early years and others have joined along the way - Over more than forty years, literally hundreds of players have taken part. 

The extensively varied repertoire is primarily the responsibility of in-house musical arranger, Ian Darlington; the orchestrations arranged to fit precisely the band’s instrumentation and the players’ expertise.

For Eric Darlington, from teenage years playing with brass bands in Cheshire, directing the band continues to be an abiding interest and throughout earlier years formed a valued and enjoyable recreation from the rigours of teaching mathematics and, prior to retirement serving twenty years as Vice-Principal of John Cleveland College. 

The band is always interested in recruiting new musicians - here's an open invitation and to repeat you'd be most welcome to join us!