About Us

Norwich City Concert Band (NCCB) was conceived over a decade ago by ex-military musician Bill Moore who, after discovering that Norwich had its own Municipal Military Band in the early twentieth century, set about forming a band along with players of an ensemble called “Enigma”.

After many years of playing with friends in the “Enigma Ensemble”, Bill, along with Nicola Ingham, Louise Laddiman, Sue Wensley and Ann Wilson, decided to turn this vision into a reality. It is worth noting that both Nicola and Ann are with the band to this very day.

Thanks to financial support from the Norwich City Council and Arts 4 All, auditions were held in August 1997. Peter Smith was appointed as the Director of Music and, as a result, the band’s first rehearsal was in October 1997 at Bignold First and Middle School in Norwich, where the band still rehearse today.

The band’s first year was a success, with its debut concert on the 22nd March 1998 in Blackfriars Hall, Norwich, and a first open air performance the following June at the Lord Mayor's Celebrations.

Only a month later, Peter Smith decided to leave the band, and Brian Dermott was invited to conduct, being subsequently appointed Musical Director in November 1998. Since then, the band has not only built up a good reputation but assembled a wide musical repertoire.

The band is completely independent, only occasionally receiving small donations from local trusts, so a major source of income is from the engagements we carry out around Norfolk each year. As well as being self-financed, since its formation the band annually elects to support a charity and has raised a total of over £5000.