The Market Rasen Band, as it is formerly known, goes back a long way. We are unsure of the exact formation date as early records are sketchy and it's hard to piece together but there are references to the band in the local newspapers as far back as the 1880s.
As was the case for most brass bands, activities ceased to exist with the onset of World War 2 and unfortunately, Market Rasen Band lapsed 25 years. In 1966 the band reformed using existing instruments left in storage before the war. It soon became apparent that as more players joined the band new instruments and uniforms would be needed. The money for these was raised at concerts and from the generosity of the people in Market Rasen and surrounding areas, who supported the band through its fund raising events.
Since its reformation the band has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success, not only at sell out concerts but also as a contesting band in 1973 were the band won nine trophies including the prestigious WD and HO Wills Finals in London and promoted to 3rd Section in 1974. Over the years the bands popularity grew not only locally but also nationally and internationally, playing at concerts in Holland, France & Germany. Television appearances and radio broadcasts have been made about the band and a long-playing record was also produced.
In 1986 the band obtained sponsorship from A.W. Rhoades and Son, a family saddler in Market Rasen who still maintains interest in the band today. In 1996 the band was awarded grants from the National Lottery and the Sports and Arts Council for a set of new instruments and its own practice room.
With an Arts Fund Lottery Grant the band was able to set up a junior band using the old instruments that had now been replaced. This became a great success with several of the youngsters working through into the senior band.
In 2003 the sponsorship was taken over by RPC an international containers firm with strong links to Market Rasen; previously known as Mckenie and, before that, The Metal Box Company. New banners and uniform was purchased for our 2010 trip to the National Finals Contest to reflect our association with the company. In 2012 the sponsorship was taken over by RESDEV, a resin development company based in Leeds which ended in June 2016.Market Rasen Town Council had taken a leading role in 2016 by raising its funding who has been a secondary sponsor since 2012 and also providing the Festival Hall for free on three events a year which was revised every three years but now revised annually. United Health saw the potential in the Band at the end of 2016 became the bands main Sponsor.
The Band Qualified for the National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain in 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2018 were they obtained a creditable 3rd position after becoming Midlands 3rd Section Champions and promoted to 2nd Section in 2019.
Previous Musical Directors of the band are Mr Malcolm Skeels, Mr Geoff Moralee, Mr Derick Ward, Mr Keith Edwards, Mr Robert Hanson, Dr Jon Hall, Mr Barry Mathews, Mr Alan Needham , Mr David Dernley, Mr Matthew Leach and Ian Knapton 2022-23.