About Us
We are a friendly brass band based at the Kent
Police Headquarters, Maidstone, Kent.
The band is self funding and consists of up to 35 musicians from
all over Kent and Sussex. Our membership is made up of serving and retired police officers, as well as a large number
of civilian players.
Our vast repertoire ranges from marches and overtures, classical arrangements
to selections from popular shows, films and even swing and pop and rock numbers. We are fortunate to have a large following
at our concerts in and around Kent, both indoor and at various bandstand and other outdoor engagements.
Our
musical director is John Groves.
Please see our Engagements page for forthcoming concerts, or alternatively become a friend of the band via our Mailing List Page
The Kent Police Band will consider most types of engagements including:
For more information or to make a booking please contact us
History
The Kent Police Band was formed after three colleagues expressed an
interest in getting a brass band together. The first rehearsal involved over 40 enthusiastic officers under the direction
of Alan Collins, the then musical director of the Medway Towns Band.
Originally the band was composed
only of police officers, but later extended membership to civilian colleagues and members of the public.
The
band has been honoured to play in the presence of various members of the Royal Family and has even played in the garden of
10 Downing Street representing Kent Police at the Police National Bravery Awards, (whilst a full cabinet meeting was taking
place nearby !)
We have been proud to carry both the association with Kent and Kent Police whilst performing
in England and various foreign trips over the years which have included America, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Belgium & France.
Some of the particular highlights for the band over the past few years have included:
Playing at the invitation of Michael Winner at the unveiling of
the National Police Memorial on the corner of Horseguards Parade and the Mall in London in the presence of the Queen and the
Prime Minister.
A day trip to Brussels to perform a marching display
at a music festival
Moving performances at the Thiepval World War
I Memorial, France on remembrance day for the Somme branch of the British Legion.
Representing the UK at music festivals in Denmark & Norway
Playing in Canterbury Cathedral to commemorate 150 years of Kent Police