Port Sunlight
Lyceum Brass
A brief history of the Band
The band owes its origins to the Drum and Bugle Band of the First Port Sunlight Company of the Boy's Brigade. A brass band was formed in 1973 and ultimately its development resulted in the administration of the band being separated from the Brigade to be administered under its own right but with a close liaison with the Company.
Membership grew with the inclusion of female players, and age became no barrier. The musical development of the band saw them entering their first contest at Belle Vue in 1978.
Some 4 decades later the band continues to develop in membership and has at present over thirty members registered with the Brass Band Registry, a healthy position considering only 25 brass and 2 or 3 percussion players are allowed to perform as per contesting rules.
Contesting is a vital part of "banding" but concerts occupy the band for most of the year. The band supports the Village of Port Sunlight by performing at many venues within the village; services and concerts at Christ Church, the United Reformed Church in the village; The Port Sunlight Royal British Legion; events for the Boy's Brigade; entertaining the residents of Osborne Court a residential development in the village.
The band performs not only within the village but also around the Wirral and Cheshire at various functions. Perhaps the most memorable is that of playing with the massed bands in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2002 at Manchester and the opportunity of "treading the boards" by appearing for one week with seven performances of "Brassed Off" with members of the Birmingham and Liverpool Repertory Company's at the Liverpool Playhouse in 2003.
A further appearance in "Brassed Off " with Bebington Dramatic Society was successfully produced in the Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight in 2008.
To remain financially viable, despite concert income , is difficult, the band owns and maintains all the instruments, library and equipment. If you would like to help with sponsorship please contact us via our Contact Page.