Offering excellence in live musical performance,
The band enriches lives, educates minds and encourages community support of the arts. What began in 1999 as a group of volunteer musicians has now become an established band in the Leeds/Wakefield area.
In 2008 the band became Yorkshire 4th section Champions and represented Yorkshire in the
National Finals in Harrogate.
"Providing educational and cultural opportunities"
We can provide various forms of musical concerts with a full brass band or a 10 piece combo, we are dedicated to providing educational and cultural opportunities for Leeds, Wakefield and surrounding communities through the presentation of live brass band music.
Excellent concert facilities, musicians passionate about their music, an experienced musical director and conductor, and a community that embraces brass band music – each has made Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band what it is today.
If you are interested in joining the band or would like more information then please contact the Secretary on (01977) 607352
Lofthouse to London!
On Friday 6th August 2010 Lofthouse Brass Band will take to the motorway and head to the capital for a fun filled weekend of music and sightseeing. The band will be staying in the four star deluxe, Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Kensington, London.
On Sunday 8th August Lofthouse will take to the stage in St James’ Park to perform their concert. The band will be playing a number of slots throughout the afternoon before finally heading back home.
This is sure to be an enjoyable trip and everyone at the band is looking forward to it!
Download your copy of the 2010 Tour Logo by clicking here!
Brass in Ripon 2010
The weather might have been a bit miserable in Ripon on Saturday but the atmosphere in the Cathedral certainly was not. 10 bands all with their own ideas/thoughts on `entertainment'. Some with more success than others though all agreed that it was an event not to be missed.
Drawn 10 out of 10 Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band commenced their programme with Goff Richards "Trailblaze", followed by the beautiful, lyrical cornet solo "Bells of Peover" featuring their talented principal cornet James Whitaker. Their march was the foot tapping Starlake by Eric Ball followed by their hymn Ave Verum by W A Mozart. To finish the programme the band performed Peter Graham's "Alloway Tales" complete with Narrator.
Although obviously disappointed not to be in the prizes the band can take encouragement from the points and their overall performance.
Full results:
Music mark Entertainment mark TOTAL
1st. North Skelton 182 44 225 (1 time penalty)
2nd. Ripon City 181 41 222
3rd Clifton & Lightcliffe 179 42 221
4th Lofthouse 2000 180 40 220
5th Marske Brass 177 38 215
6th Trimdon Concert 176 36 212
7th Dunston Silver 175 30 205
8th Blendworth 170 34 203 (1 time penalty)
9th Durham Constabulary 171 29 200
10th Wakeman Youth 172 20 191 (1 time penalty)
Brassed On!!!!!!
Saturday May 8th will be an open day for any to come along and see what Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band can offer! It will be A Young Person’s Guide to the Brass Band, featuring a range of music and aimed at giving a fun introduction to the brass band and the music making opportunities available. So if you are a beginner or maybe you have played previously or would just like to have a go come along on Saturday from 10.00am - 12.00 noon and join in the fun!!!!!!!!!
On The Slide
We would like to announce a exciting venture that is aimed at producing a number of new Trombone players, an instrument that recently given the "endangered" label.
One of Wakefield's best-known brass bands can purchase new Trombones for an exciting initiative called "On the Slide" following a grant of £8000.00. The project will enable the band to run a number of workshops and offer specialist tuition on the trombone to a number of new players as well as purchase a number of new instruments.
Lofthouse Band now comproses of a Senior Band, conducted by Andrew Whitaker and a Junior Band and Beginner Section tutored by Peter Kitson this grant, along with the support of Michael Rath Trombones will help the organisation to develop a new group called "On the Slide".
Andrew Whitaker, senior band MD, said, "The band was formed just over 10 years ago and during that time we have developed from a junior band into an organisation with over 60 members across the groups. The problem is that we've got more members than decent instruments - this grant will helps us to not only develop new players but also offer them instruments to play on. Ultimately playing an instrument and learning music is a skill for life and at the same time helps to build character while learning to work hard and practice."
Peter Kitson, who is a well known figure in the brass band world, techers the beginners the basics, the first notes and scales as well as bringing a number of his own arrangements to the Junior Band, "The Lofthouse All Blacks".
This grant will help us to get many more people involved in making music.
Five Days II
Lofthouse Brass Band will be feature on BBC 1 in a new drama series, starting Monday 1st March 9.00pm, called FIVE DAYS. Broadcast everyday for a week the series features Suranne Jones, David Morrissey, Anne Ried, Shaun Dooley and many many more.
Filming took place on cold November day in Pontefract with the band recreating a Remembrance Day Parade with members of the British Legion and featured Principal Cornet James Whitaker playing the Last Post.
We are not sure exactly which episode the band will appear so you will need to watch the whole series to catch us.
Click here to link into the BBC web site.
BBC Radio Leeds
On Sunday 31st January David Hoyle featured on his BBC Radio Leeds programme, West Yorkshire Brass a recording of Lofthouse Brass Band and their principal cornet, James Whitaker, performing The Paragon at the 10th Anniversary Concert.
Although only available on DAB it will be available for the next seven days on the BBC iPlayer at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_leeds
Thursday 7th January
Tonight's rehearsal and Saturday's band party are cancelled due to the weather conditions, at the moment the rehearsal on Saturday and the Bass/Trombone sectional on Sunday is still going ahead.
Band Awards and Christmas Concert
On what must have been the coldest night of the year, over 100 supporters braved the weather to attend Lofthouse Brass Band's Christmas Concert and Annual Awards.
During the concert Musical Director, Andrew Whitaker, thanked the concerts sponsors, Leeds City Council for providing excellent facilities in the new venue of Rodillians School Hall and also announced further sponsorship of a new musical group which will be launched in the New Year.
Hannah Marsh was presented with Young Player of the Year, along with Terry Ellis, Howard Firth Memorial Trophy recipient and Amanda Drake as Bandsperson of the Year. Most improved player went to trombonist Joshua Wingfield and the section of the year was The Percussion.
This brought the 10th Anniversary celebrations to a close, "we have exciting plans for next year" said Andrew Whitaker, "with a new musical initiative starting in 2010 with help from Leeds City Council and a number of exciting concerts".
FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT
This year, thanks to Leeds City Council, the Annual Christmas Concert will be FREE!! and the venue will be a new one for Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band.
This year instead of being at the Methodist Church we will be performing at the Rodillian High School.
It will be a blend of the usual Christmas Music and some new pieces as well. The Junior Band," The Lofthouse All Blacks" with their conducting Peter Kitson will be performing, the Annual Awards will be presented and who knows there may be some surprises during the evening.
Make a space in the diary for the FREE Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band Concert on 20th December at 7.00pm
BBC Production - Five Days - Pontefract October 11th 2009
The tense emotional BBC Drama, Five Days, staring Suranne Jones
recently filmed in Pontefract where they needed a brass band to play in a recreation of a Remembrance Day Parade. Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band was chosen and spent an enjoyable, if somewhat cold day filming an episode, with principal cornet James Whitaker playing the part of the bugler.
Members of the band can be seen here with Suranne Jones.
More images of the day on the image page
Hardraw Scar Success!
Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band took 5th place at the Yorkshire & Humberside Brass Band Associations Hardraw Scar Contest on Sunday 13th September. Playing off number two their programme was Trailblaze by Goff Richards, Amazing Grace arr Phillips, Paragon featuring Principal Cornet, James Whitaker, The Middy by Alford and MacArthur Park arr Fernie.
A special mention must go to James Whitaker who took the overall soloist prize over a number of more 
experienced players with what the adjudicator, Kevin Wadsworth described as "a very nice cornet soloist".
The band can take a great deal of satisfactioin from the result and the performance and the remarks by Kevin Wadsworth, "a good choice of music and lots of good playing."
Full Results:
3rd-Championship Class
1. Harrogate (316)
2. Durham Miners Assoc (315)
3. Shepherd Building Group (301)
4. Otley (277)
5. Lofthouse 2000 (269)
6. Wetherby Silver (265)
Best March Harrogate
Best Hymn Durham Miners
Best Solo Lofthouse 2000
Mark Moorhouse Returns!
Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band would like to announce the return of Mark Moorhouse to the Soprano Cornet Position. Mark made his return at the recent Massed Band Concert with Rushen Silver Band. Speaking of his return Mark said: "It’s about 18 months since I last played with the band and I am delighted to be back. The band is in good shape and I’m looking forward to playing with them again." Andrew Whitaker, musical director said "Clearly, the band are delighted at the return of Mark to the team, he is a valued member and it is fantastic to have him playing with Lofthouse 2000 again. I would also like to thank our retiring soprano player, Peter Andrews, who is moving back on to Bb cornet."
