Reg Vardy Band - Reg Vardy Band

Reg Vardy Band

During March 2003, the band signed a sponsorship deal with the then motor retailer, The Reg Vardy Group. This helped to ensure the financial security of the band. After 36 years, the band changed their name to The Reg Vardy Band. The partnership with Reg Vardy has helped the band through another period of success. This has included seven Northern Area titles, third place, two fourth placings, fifth and a sixth place finish at Brass In Concert, a third place and a sixth place at The International Masters and three consecutive top ten finishes at the British Open. The band's greatest achievement so far was gaining third prize at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2004. This led to the band being invited to represent England in the 2005 World Championships held in Kerkrade, Holland where the band claimed fifth prize.

In January 2006, The Reg Vardy Group was sold to Pendragon. Sir Peter Vardy has always taken a great interest in the band's progress and development and maintained strong links with the management committee. Because of this, the band's sponsorship continues through The Vardy Foundation with the band maintaining the name of Sir Peter's father, Reg Vardy who was a supporter of the Ever Ready Band some years ago. Our links with Sir Peter have allowed the band to become involved with the Emmanuel Schools Foundation where the band regularly perform concerts at the four schools in Gateshead, Blyth, Middlesbrough and Thorne near Doncaster. The band also provides master classes with young brass players from the schools helping them to develop into what we hope will be brass players of the future. This is a project the band hopes to nurture over the coming years.

The band appears in major concert venues throughout the UK and have recorded 4 major CD's including the top selling, highly popular and innovative release -'Cool'.

The Reg Vardy Band strives on innovation and has formed a formidable partnership with renowned conductor Ray Farr who is Conductor in Residence at Durham University. This partnership has seen the band become Durham University's Brass Band in residence. With this involvement, the band has performed at many pioneering concerts with famous names such as Elgar Howarth, Roy Newsome and Dr John Pickard. The Band are also pleased to support Ray with conducting master classes as he trains a new generation of conductors from around the UK and Europe.