The Shepherd Brass Band
The Senior Band is one of the top brass bands in the North of England, performing in prestigious concerts and competitions all over Yorkshire. During 2012 the band won the North of England Area contest (1st Section) and also the Leicester Open Contest (1st Section) and were promoted to the Championship Section. Since then the band has gone from strength to strength and has built a strong reputation as one of the best bands in the area.
Since the band’s formation in 1903 we have undergone a few name changes but have always been synonymous with quality brass band playing in the York area. We’re now proud of our association with Portakabin and are delighted to rehearse in their state-of-the-art facilities on the company’s site in York as The Shepherd Brass Band.
The Shepherd Brass Band performing The Snowman Live, Dec 2025.
Since 2022 the band has been performing The Snowman Live each year at Christmas time. This family friendly show is a band favourite and has the best raffle prizes of any other concert in the year. And in 2025, the classic animated film Wallace and Gromit The Wrong Trousers was added to the band’s yearly program with a completely sold out performance. Another highlight towards the end of the year is the band’s joint concert with the one and only Cory Band led by maestro Philip Harper. The months of November and December are definitely not ones to miss for The Shepherd Brass Band!
The Shepherd Brass Band and Cory Band joint in concert, Nov 2025.
The Senior Band is ably supported by the Concert Band and Youth Band, and we believe we are one of the most successful banding organisations in the area when it comes to discovering and nurturing new playing talent. We are particularly proud of our record in this area, and are fortunate to have talented and enthusiastic members to train the new players. This means that when a new player joins the organisation they have a clear path of progression and structure.
Our members come from all walks of life – students, tradespeople, the self-employed, teachers and academics – and what’s more we are an extremely friendly and sociable band.
The Senior Band rehearses on Tuesday and Fridays from 8:00pm – 10:00pm on the Portakabin site in Huntington, York.
Find out more about joining and our current available positions please view our VACANCIES page.