The South Elmsall Village Brass Band can be traced back to humble beginnings in 1884. In 1905, the band was adopted by the local Frickley Colliery, which in turn was to become owned by the Carlton Main Coal Company and by 1923 the band became known by its present name. During the Bands long and successful history, it has both competed and triumphed at many of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Most notably, the band has held the titles of European Champions, National Champions, British Open Champions, Granada TV Band of the Year, BBC Best of Brass Champions, Spring Festival Grand Shield Champions and British Open Quartet Champions.
The bands more recent achievements include being crowned Yorkshire Champions in 2013 and 2015. This partnered with 3rd place at the prestigious British Open Brass Band Championships in 2011 and being crowned the Champion Band of England and Scotland at the National Championships of Great Britain in 2013. The band added another title to its collection in 2016 by winning the Grand Shield securing an instant return to the British Open. The band’s latest achievements came in July 2017 representing England at the World Championships in Kerkrade, Holland, achieving the highest honours of distinction finishing in a fantastic 3rd place. In June 2018 the band were crowned French Open Champions claiming both the March Title and the French Open Champion Band. To round 2018 off in style the band achieved their highest ever finish at the World’s ‘Leading Brass Band Entertainment Contest’, Brass In Concert, finishing in 2nd place against 11 of the best bands from across the World. 2019 started with the band qualifying to represent Yorkshire at the National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall. This has led to Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band being firmly established as one of the top 10 ranked Brass Bands in the World.
The band has built a reputation as one of the finest concert bands in the country through a combination of innovative programmes partnered with quality of performance. In 2015 the band took up the position of the feature band of the Gary Clarke Company with his ground breaking contemporary dance production and National Theatre Award Winning, COAL. This position saw the band tour both the UK and Europe throughout 2016, 2017 and 2018. The band have continued this role in Gary Clarke’s sequel, Wasteland, with tour dates throughout 2019 and 2020. With regular appearances on the BBC’s flagship programme Songs of Praise and performances with the World renowned Rambert Dance Company in 2015 and 2016, the band is currently experiencing one of the most successful periods in their history.
The bands more recent achievements include being crowned Yorkshire Champions in 2013 and 2015. This partnered with 3rd place at the prestigious British Open Brass Band Championships in 2011 and being crowned the Champion Band of England and Scotland at the National Championships of Great Britain in 2013. The band added another title to its collection in 2016 by winning the Grand Shield securing an instant return to the British Open. The band’s latest achievements came in July 2017 representing England at the World Championships in Kerkrade, Holland, achieving the highest honours of distinction finishing in a fantastic 3rd place. In June 2018 the band were crowned French Open Champions claiming both the March Title and the French Open Champion Band. To round 2018 off in style the band achieved their highest ever finish at the World’s ‘Leading Brass Band Entertainment Contest’, Brass In Concert, finishing in 2nd place against 11 of the best bands from across the World. 2019 started with the band qualifying to represent Yorkshire at the National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall. This has led to Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band being firmly established as one of the top 10 ranked Brass Bands in the World.
The band has built a reputation as one of the finest concert bands in the country through a combination of innovative programmes partnered with quality of performance. In 2015 the band took up the position of the feature band of the Gary Clarke Company with his ground breaking contemporary dance production and National Theatre Award Winning, COAL. This position saw the band tour both the UK and Europe throughout 2016, 2017 and 2018. The band have continued this role in Gary Clarke’s sequel, Wasteland, with tour dates throughout 2019 and 2020. With regular appearances on the BBC’s flagship programme Songs of Praise and performances with the World renowned Rambert Dance Company in 2015 and 2016, the band is currently experiencing one of the most successful periods in their history.