About Us

Grimsdyke Brass is Harrow's premier brass band, currently ranked in the Second Section of the London and Southern Counties Region.

Formed by Harry White in 1979, the name 'Grimsdyke' is taken from a prehistoric or Saxon earthwork which runs across Harrow Weald Common. Echoes of the names of other successful British brass bands are purely coincidental! Harry was the first musical director of the band and worked hard to build the band for many years until his retirement around 1987. Many of the band's players migrated to Grimsdyke from local school bands which Harry also conducted.

Grimsdyke Brass is well known across North West London and further afield for its engaging and entertaining concert performances. With a broad repertoire including film music, jazz, big band standards and, of course, the best brass band classics, Grimsdyke has a concert programme for any occasion. A regular at the Harrow Arts Centre for their summer and Christmas concerts, Grimsdyke Brass also performs throughout the year both in a formal concert setting and at more informal outdoor events such as community events and in park bandstands. The band is also keenly aware of its responsibility to share the love of music with a new generation, with dedicated 'Kids concerts' from time to time in conjunction with the Harrow Music Service.

The brass banding world is highly competitive with regular contests at which rival bands compete to give the best performance of a 'test piece'. In 2014, Grimsdyke won the London and Southern Counties contest in Stevenage in its section, giving the band the opportunity to compete in the National Brass Band Finals in Cheltenham in September 2014 where the band came 6th, and were promoted to the Second Section.

Three years later, the band had worked their way to the top of the Second Section and won the regional contest again in 2017, once again being promoted to the First Section where the band remained for six years until 2024. Click Here to see all our contest results over the years!

Financial support for the band comes from fees charged for engagements, ticket sales from the band's own concerts, and from members' subscriptions. The band also raises money through carolling and has a generous group of Friends of Grimsdyke Brass.

If you are interested in engaging the band for a concert, becoming a Friend or joining the band please email webmaster@grimsdykebrass.co.uk.

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