The City of Southampton (Albion) Band is a brass band that has been based in Southampton for more than 100 years. Last year the band was given the honour of the Freedom of the City to recognise the contribution that the band has made to the city over the years and for representing the city on our wider travels both home and abroad.
We rehearse at the Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre at Hampton Park Way (just off Broadlands Road) SO17 3AT. on a Monday night (19:30 – 21:30) and always welcome players who want to join us.
The band undertakes several concerts in a typical year and has often toured home and abroad including trips to Portugal, Croatia, Germany, Devon, Isle of Wight in recent years.
Last year was the first year under our new musical director Mark Crisp who replaced our previous long serving MD, Nick Dawson after his untimely demise in February.
We performed a number of concerts during the year that included playing at Bedford Place for the VJ Day celebrations, performing a TV Themes concert and Christmas concert at St. James Road Methodist Church, experiencing good weather for two concerts at Romsey bandstand, playing at Alresford Show and making our debut at the Southampton Music in the City event during September.
During 2026 we will be performing a selection of British tunes at our “Ticket to Ride” Spring concert on Sat 21st March (3:00pm) at St. James Road Methodist Church. On 30th April we will be performing “A Very British Night” at Hanger Farm, Totton for the Rotary Club supporting Minstead Trust. In May we return to Romsey bandstand and then have concerts for the Master Mariners and Round Table in June.
If you would like to hire the band or want to contact us then please email Ed Wright our secretary at ed.wright@baxterhallrecruitment.com. We’d love to hear from you.