15/10/2026
📣 INTRODUCING CROOKES BRASS BAND
Crookes Brass Band was founded in Sheffield in 2023 by Jim Fletcher of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, as part of the band’s education outreach work. With Crookes having had its own brass band some 90 years earlier, the idea was not only to revive a piece of the area’s musical heritage, but to create a band that worked differently for modern life.
Crookes was built around a simple principle: brass banding should fit around life, not the other way around. With only a handful of concerts and contests each year, chosen by the band itself, members are free to be involved as much or as little as they want. It offers a way for people to keep playing and enjoying brass music without the commitment of a traditional banding schedule.
That ethos has helped Crookes grow from one band into a community of three. Alongside Crookes Brass Band, Crookes Development Band gives players a place to build their skills and confidence, while Brassworks welcomes complete beginners picking up an instrument for the first time.
Across all three bands, the aim remains the same: to bring people together, create connections and make sure there is a place for anyone who wants to make music.
