Tudhoe Grange School Band was founded by Adrian Biddulph, following his appointment as Head of Music at Tudhoe Grange School, Spennymoor, Co. Durham in 1981. The band first began with eight young pupils who were taught to read music and played on borrowed instruments. The Concert Band now has over 100 members taken from a total school population of 850 and our pupils play a range of professional instruments purchased with a grant of £49,000 by the Northern Arts Council from the National Lottery which was awarded to the band in 1996. Prior to our award of funding from the National Lottery the band has been and remains self-financing with parents raising funds on an annual basis to enable the band to progress and all those associated are grateful for their continued support.

Throughout its history the band has made a conscious effort to play commercial popular music rather than a traditional brass band repertoire. The latest development within the band has been the formation of a 'Big Band' that performs music reminiscent of that era and our CD features some of our favourite pieces in the Big Band style.

Friendship and commitment have long been the hallmarks of Tudhoe Grange School Bands. Long after they have left school, former band members return to attend, or sometimes perform, at concerts. Four of our former members are now Music teachers, other past pupils are playing music professionally and one of our former players received one of the country's highest accolades in music when he was a member of the Royal Marines Band. Former Trumpet player, Cheryl Sowerby is now a graphic designer, and the band logo that is proudly displayed by the band at every opportunity is one of her original designs. Paul Marshall, former Clarinet player designed, and also maintains this website. The band is also grateful for the work done by Mrs Carole Iles and her late husband, Fred. From the outset they both worked to raise funds and assist Adrian in the organisation of the Band. Carole has been secretary of the Band since 1983 and her efforts, particularly in securing our grant from the National Arts Council from the National Lottery has been invaluable.

Throughout its history the band has maintained a high profile in the local community. Sedgefield Borough Council has always been very supportive of the band and has enabled the band to stage a number of top concerts in our local area. The band performs each year with the Ever Ready Band, the region's highest ranking Brass Band, and also played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra as part of Sedgefield Borough's Festival of Life. The band has also enjoyed national recognition. Commissioned by Sedgefield Borough to compose and perform 'Swing in the Millennium' as part of the Council's millennium celebrations, the band was featured in a national TV programme considering the significance of the millennium. The band also performed in a TV commercial publicising the North East. The band was then approached by the BBC to participate in their national coverage of the 'Children In Need' appeal when sales of one their CD's raised over £2,000 for Children In Need. This was so successful that the band is seeking to exceed this amount with the sale of another CD for Children In Need this year.

Everything that the band has achieved has coincided with an influx of new initiatives and turmoil within the education system of this country. It is to the credit of our pupils, staff and parents, that throughout this time the concept of educating the whole child has never been lost and everyone associated with Tudhoe Grange School Band has been enriched by the experience.