Over a Century of Music in Southampton
The story of City of Southampton (Albion) Band from 1920 to the present day.
Our Story
For more than a century, City of Southampton (Albion) Band has been part of the musical life of Southampton. Through changing times, generations of players have performed at concerts, civic occasions, community events, contests and celebrations both at home and abroad.
This archive tells the story of the band, the people who have shaped it, the places we have performed and the friendships created through music.
Explore Our History
Discover over a century of music, memories and milestones through the band’s story, photographs, tours and archive.
Our Timeline
Explore the major milestones in the band’s history from 1920 through to the present day.
Band Tours
Follow the band’s tours across Europe, including Germany, Portugal, Madeira and future adventures.
Photo Archive
Browse photographs showing over a century of concerts, contests, community events and memorable moments.
Archive & Memories
Discover historic programmes, newspaper cuttings, documents and memories shared by past and present members.
The Band is Founded
City of Southampton (Albion) Band was founded in 1920, beginning a musical story that continues today.
1920 – The Band is Founded as the All Saints Scouts Band
The Band originated from the Boy Scouts and was first known in 1920 as the All Saints Scouts Band. This marked the beginning of what would eventually become the City of Southampton (Albion) Band. This early chapter of the Band’s…
1922 – The Southampton Albion and Scouts Band
In 1922 the Band became known as The Southampton Albion and Scouts Band, with its headquarters at Albion Church, St. Marys Road, Southampton. The Band continued to develop from its beginnings as the All Saints Scouts Band. Albion Church became…
1928 – The Southampton Albion Silver Band is Formed
Early in 1928, the Band severed its connection with the Scouts and was re-formed as the Southampton Albion Silver Band. Despite becoming an independent band, rehearsals continued in one of the rooms at Albion Church, St. Marys Road. The newly…
1929 – The Dell: A Turning Point for the Band
In January 1929, Southampton Football Club offered the Band a weekly engagement to play at The Dell, with the Band receiving income from a collection. Ernie Allen later described this as “the turning point” in the Band’s fortunes. The money…
1929 – The Band Gets Its First Uniform
Following the success of the regular engagements at The Dell, Southampton Football Club informed the Band that for the next season — and future seasons — it would need to appear in uniform. This created another considerable expense for a…
1930 – Albion Appears in Barbed Wire at the Palace Theatre
In March 1930, the Southampton Albion Silver Band undertook a week's engagement at Southampton's Palace Theatre, appearing in a production called Barbed Wire. Set during the First World War, the production presented the Albion musicians as a full ex-Guards Band,…
1930 – First Contest Success at Gillingham
In 1930, the Band competed in its first contest as the Southampton Albion Silver Band, travelling to Gillingham, Dorset, for the Wessex Association Contest. The occasion brought immediate success, with the Band winning the ‘B’ Section. This victory marked the…
Early 1930s – Playing Through the Night for Election Results
round 1932, the Southampton Albion Silver Band undertook one of the most unusual engagements of its early years when it played at the Stadium during a General Election. Election results were announced to the crowds over loudspeakers as they came…
1930s – Albion Plays Southampton’s Theatres
During the early 1930s, the Southampton Albion Silver Band became increasingly involved in the entertainment life of Southampton, including engagements at some of the city's popular theatres. Bill Barnes recalled the Band playing at both the Palace Theatre and the…
1930s – Supporting Southampton’s Unemployed
During the difficult years of the 1930s Depression, the Southampton Albion Silver Band used its music to support the local community. The Band took part in a special concert connected with the Mayor of Southampton's scheme to assist unemployed people…
1933 – Mr. J. Williamson Becomes Bandmaster
In 1933, Mr. A. Halestrap retired as Bandmaster, bringing to an end an important period in the Band’s early development. He was succeeded by Mr. J. Williamson, who had previously been associated with the famous Besses o’ th’ Barn Band.…
1933 – Double ‘A’ Section Contest Success
1933 proved to be an outstanding year for the Band’s contesting success. Competing in the ‘A’ Section, the Southampton Albion Silver Band won both the Winter Contest and the Summer Contest. These victories demonstrated how far the Band had progressed…
1935 – Silver Jubilee Parade for King George V and Queen Mary
In 1935, the Southampton Albion Silver Band took part in Southampton's celebrations marking the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. The Band participated in the Silver Jubilee Parade through Southampton, joining the city's wider programme of celebrations…
1936 – A Week at Weymouth Bandstand
In 1936, the Southampton Albion Silver Band spent a week in Weymouth, where the Band performed on the Bandstand twice each day. It was an unusual and memorable engagement that took the Band away from Southampton for an entire week.…
1936 – Albion Wins the Championship of Wessex
In 1936, the Southampton Albion Silver Band achieved one of the major contest successes of its pre-war years by winning the Championship of Wessex. By this time the Band had developed considerably from its early contesting days. After winning the…
1937 – Albion Musicians Triumph at Amesbury
In 1937, members of the Southampton Albion Silver Band enjoyed considerable success at Amesbury, demonstrating that the Band's growing reputation was not limited to full-band competitions. Albion musicians competed successfully in solo and small-ensemble events, gaining a number of prizes…
1938 – Further Contest Success for Albion
In 1938, the Southampton Albion Silver Band continued the strong contesting record it had established throughout the 1930s. At the Wessex Summer Contest at Amesbury, Albion won the Deep Harmony Challenge Cup and was awarded third prize in the Open…
The War Years – The Band Falls Silent
With the outbreak of the Second World War, life changed dramatically for the Southampton Albion Silver Band. Blackout restrictions made normal evening rehearsals impossible, leaving Sunday mornings as the only practical opportunity for the Band to rehearse. With the outbreak…
Late 1930s – The “Big Ben Brass Band” at the Palace Theatre
In the late 1930s, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Southampton Albion Silver Band returned to Southampton's old Palace Theatre for another unusual theatrical engagement. The Band appeared for a full week in a production depicting…
1940 – Death of Bandmaster Mr. J. Williamson
In 1940, the Band suffered the loss of its Bandmaster, Mr. J. Williamson, who had taken over the musical leadership of the Southampton Albion Silver Band following the retirement of Mr. A. Halestrap in 1933. His death came during the…
1943 – The Band is Re-formed
In 1943, Mr. H. J. Stockwell and Mr. R. Rood began the task of re-forming the Southampton Albion Silver Band, bringing together some of the older members who were still available during the war. The re-formed Band was strengthened by…
1945 – Rebuilding the Band After the War
With the end of the Second World War, the Southampton Albion Silver Band was ready to welcome back members returning from military service. Not all of the former members rejoined the Band, however, and rebuilding its strength required considerable hard…
The 1940’s – Remembering Members We Lost
The war years and their aftermath brought a number of sad losses to the Southampton Albion Silver Band. Ernie Allen recorded the deaths of several people who had been part of the Band and its story. Mr. J. Williamson, the…
1946 – Contesting Resumes After the War
In 1946, the Southampton Albion Silver Band resumed its contesting activities following the disruption of the Second World War. The Band travelled to Salisbury, where it was among the prize winners. Bill Barnes recalled that Albion was beaten on this…
1951 – Albion Musicians Sweep the Board at Tadley
In March 1951, musicians from the Southampton Albion Silver Band enjoyed an outstanding day of success at competitions held at Tadley. A Septet representing the Band won first prize, while the Trombone Quartet also won its section. Individual honours followed,…
1953 – Coronation Celebrations in Southampton
In 1953, the Southampton Albion Silver Band took part in the celebrations marking the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Among the Band's engagements was a major parade through Southampton and up to Southampton Common. A Royal Marines Band was given…
1953 – Remembering Mr. A. Halestrap
On 22 September 1953, former Bandmaster Mr. A. Halestrap died at the age of 81. He had played an important part in the formative years of the Southampton Albion Silver Band and had led the Band until his retirement in…
1955 – Historic Double Victory at Brighton
In July 1955, the Southampton Albion Silver Band achieved one of the most remarkable contest successes in its history, winning both the Second and Third Sections at the same contest at Brighton. Bill Barnes recalled this as a record that…
1962 – Albion Starts its Annual Solo & Quartet Contest
In 1962, the Southampton Albion Silver Band established its own inter-Band Solo and Quartet Contest, giving members the opportunity to compete against one another in a friendly musical competition. The contest became an annual event and was usually well attended.…
1965 – Courtney Bosanko Becomes Musical Director
In 1965, Mr Courtney Bosanko became Musical Director of the Southampton Albion Silver Band, succeeding Mr Sydney Swancott. Bosanko was already familiar with the Band. During 1964, when Sydney Swancott was ill and the Band was preparing for a contest…
1965 – Albion Wins the Southern Counties Area Championship
In 1965, the Southampton Albion Silver Band achieved one of the most important contest successes in its history when it won the Second Section of the Southern Counties Area Championship at Hammersmith Town Hall, London. Conducted by Mr Courtney Bosanko,…
1966 – Albion Wins the Wessex March Cup
In December 1966, the Southampton Albion Silver Band enjoyed further contest success when it convincingly won the March Cup at the Wessex Contest. The Band was now under the direction of Mr Courtney Bosanko, following its major Second Section Area…
1967 – Queen Mary’s Final Atlantic Crossing
In September 1967, the Southampton Albion Silver Band was given the great honour of welcoming the Queen Mary back to Southampton at the end of her final Atlantic crossing as a British passenger liner. Thousands of people gathered at the…
1968 – Farewell to the Queen Elizabeth
In November 1968, the Southampton Albion Silver Band played an important part in Southampton's farewell to another of the world's great ocean liners — the Queen Elizabeth. On 8 November, the Band assembled at the Ocean Terminal as the Queen…
1969 – The End of 40 Years at The Dell
In 1969, one of the longest and most important engagements in the history of the Southampton Albion Silver Band came to an end after 40 seasons at The Dell, home of Southampton Football Club. The relationship had begun in 1929,…
1971 – Championship Section Success at the Wessex Contest
In 1971, the Southampton Albion Silver Band achieved another notable contest success when it competed in the Championship Section of the Wessex Contest at Southampton Sports Centre. Albion won first prize, demonstrating the high standard the Band had reached following…
1974 – Albion Takes Part in the Filming of Juggernaut
n 1974, members of the Southampton Albion Silver Band had the unusual experience of becoming involved in the world of cinema when the Band took part in the filming of the British thriller Juggernaut. The production used Southampton Docks as…
1975 – The Southampton Albion Silver Band Becomes Southampton Band
In 1975, an important change took place in the identity of the Band when the name Southampton Albion Silver Band was changed to simply Southampton Band. The name “Albion” had been associated with the organisation for more than half a…
1974 – Silver Medal at the World Music Contest, Kerkrade
In July 1974, the Southampton Albion Silver Band travelled overseas to compete in the prestigious World Music Contest at Kerkrade in the Netherlands, the Band's first venture into a continental competition. Members agreed to pay their own expenses for the…
1976 – Ray Alberry Becomes Musical Director
In 1976, Mr Ray Alberry became Musical Director of Southampton Band, succeeding Mr Alec Wotton. Alberry joined the Band following a distinguished professional musical career as a Royal Marines Bandmaster, bringing considerable experience of military and concert band music to…
1976 – The Band Leads the Saints Home After FA Cup Glory
In 1976, Southampton Band took part in one of the most memorable celebrations in the city's sporting history when Southampton Football Club returned home after winning the FA Cup. The Band helped lead the Saints home through Southampton, joining the…
1979 – The Band Becomes the City of Southampton Band
In 1979, another important change took place in the Band's identity when Southampton City Council granted the Band the privilege of using the title “City of Southampton Band.” The honour formally recognised the Band's long-standing association with Southampton and the…
1980 – Bram Taylor Becomes Musical Director
In 1980, Mr Bram Taylor became Musical Director of the City of Southampton Band, continuing an association with the Band that stretched back many years. Bram was already a well-established Albion musician. Almost three decades earlier, in 1951, he had…
1986 – A Band Re-born: The Albion Name Returns
In 1986, an important link with the Band's past was restored when members voted to bring back the historic “Albion” name. The Band had been known as Southampton Band from 1975, before Southampton City Council granted it the privilege of…
1990 – Wessex Fourth Section Victory at Poole
In 1990, the City of Southampton (Albion) Band enjoyed an important return to contest success when it won the Wessex Fourth Section Contest at Poole under Musical Director Peter Hyland. The victory came during a period of rebuilding for the…
1993 – Nick Dawson Becomes Musical Director
n 1993, Nick Dawson became Musical Director of the City of Southampton (Albion) Band, beginning a long and important period in the Band's musical history. Remarkably, just six weeks after taking up the position, Nick led the Band on its…
Tour to Rems Murr Kreis with Southampton Anglo-German Society
One of the associations made by the Band during this time was with the Southampton Anglo-German Society, who invited us to participate in their Oktoberfest. This has become one of the most enjoyable events of the year. Each year several…
Freedom of the City
The Band was awarded Freedom of the City of Southampton, for its support of the City for the past century, and being great ambassadors of the City on Tours away from the City. The Band were invited to the Mayor…
📷 Band Photo Archive
