Darlington Community Wind Band

We are group of brass, woodwind and percussion players from various walks of life — retired professionals, enthusiastic amateurs, and adults who have returned to playing after a lapse of many years. DCWB is a friendly, diverse group with player ages ranging from teens to pensioners!

The Band was originally formed in 2006 by a group of players under the Musical Direction of Gary Bridge. We carry on today under the Musical Direction of Chris Lawn.

Our repertoire is extensive and varied — we play traditional and modern pieces, film themes, marches, hymns, etc. The band members can choose the music we play — which keeps everyone happy — and we have a large library of music to choose from. Funds from band “jobs” go towards buying new music and we regularly have new pieces.

Our Conductor

Chris Lawn B.Ed (Music) LRSM (Bandmastership), Cert & Dip Band Studies (University of Sheffield)

Born in 1947, Chris was brought up in Yorkshire. He came from a musical family — his grandfather was an organist and choirmaster and his father a conductor and cornet player. Chris had his first cornet lesson at the age of 8, being taught by his father, and he progressed very quickly to win many solo and talent competitions all over the north east, as well as playing in various Brass Bands and Orchestras.

Leaving school at 15, Chris joined the army as a Junior Bandsman in the Green Howards. In 1965 he went to study at the Royal Military School Of Music at Kneller Hall. During his time at Kneller Hall he played regularly with the famed Fanfare Trumpet Team, and was given lessons on cornet and trumpet from the great Jack Mackintosh. During the next 6 years he toured extensively with the Green Howards band through out the world.

In the early 1970’s there came a change of direction into teaching. He spent 4 years at the Junior Music School where he began his army career, then 2 further years in the Band of the Royal Irish Rangers, then he decided to leave the army in 1978 to continue conducting and teaching as a civilian.

Since leaving the army Chris has had considerable success conducting many brass bands all over the country in both concerts and competitions, twice in the Albert Hall in London. In 1989 he went to study at Sheffield University under Major Peter Parkes gaining the above mentioned qualifications. In 1991 Chris won the National Association of Brass Band Conductors conducting competition held that year in Sunderland. 1993 saw the culmination of his studies when he gained a Bachelor of Education in Music from Sunderland University. In June 1993 he was appointed Head of Music at a local school in Darlington.

Chris is now retired, but is still in demand as a conductor and brass teacher of more than half a century of music making experience.