Woodley Concert Band
WCB Spring Concert, March 2023

About us

Our History

Woodley Concert Band was formed in 1974 to provide an outlet for the musical aspirations of the local community. The founder members came together as the result of some evening classes at Waingels Copse Education Centre a year earlier and when the course finished, the band, under the direction of Bernard Heaver, carried on and WCB was born! Over the years, the band has grown in size, ambition and ability and is now much sought after for a variety of events. A registered charity, the band secured a Lottery Commission grant in 1998 to equip the band with new instruments.

Today

The band now consists of around 40 musicians, meeting once a week to rehearse in Woodley, Reading. Our aim is to entertain our audiences with a wide variety of music, and to provide our players with opportunities to extend their repertoire and skills. Through our music, we have also been glad to help raise significant sums of money for local charities.

During an average year, we give 3 major indoor concerts, and appear at a wide variety of outdoor events from June to September, including a trip further afield for a weekend of music making, food and drink.  Over the past few years we’ve played in the London Parks, Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Canterbury, the Isle of Wight, Malvern as well as undertaking a long weekend in Belgium.

Our Music

Our repertoire is extensive. With a library of more than 1000 pieces of music, we have music to suit all tastes and abilities and we like to have a variety of music in our concerts enabling us to entertain our audiences while challenging our players with high quality wind band repertoire. We have commissioned many pieces for special occasions including one from Philip Sparke to celebrate our 40th anniversary.  A typical concert incorporates a mixture of classical, swing, film and show music as well as original wind band compositions and popular music.

Social Life

The band has an active social calendar including quiz nights, our annual ten-pin bowling tournament and a Christmas meal, as well as our usual post-rehearsal trip to the pub.

Want to get involved?

Find out about joining the band

Want to hear us?

Find out where you can see us next

Our Sponsors

Woodley Concert Band is delighted to be sponsored by a number of local businesses – we’d very much like to acknowledge the valuable part that they play in enabling the band to bring you great music and exciting performances.