Lincoln Beevor Bands
Band History
It all began in 1975 when Alf and Peggy Chandler formed the Beevor Youth Band. Their intention being to give local youngsters the opportunity to learn to play brass band instruments. For several years Alf and Peggy worked tirelessly towards this end, constantly fund raising to meet the needs of an ever increasing number of youngsters in their care. Eventually Alf and Peggy turned their attentions to their local village and repeated the exercise, forming yet another youth band, "Silver Sounds" at Bracebridge Heath on the outskirts of Lincoln.
The training of the Beevor Youth Band was now entrusted to Mr. Harry Whitwell. Harry remained in charge until 1982, when with the approval of the members of the band, he handed over the baton to Mr. Geoff Moralee who worked with the band until his untimely death in December 2003. Harry moved on to become Musical Director of The Band of The Lincolnshire Fire Brigade. For his services to music and his work with young musicians in Lincoln and around the county Geoff Moralee was awarded a Lincoln Civic Award Commendation, the Mayor of Lincoln's Medal and was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List of 1997.
In 1988 the band was fortunate to obtain the services of Miss. Jane Parker, BA Hons. NABBC, as the band's assistant M.D. This enabled the band to offer even more youngsters the opportunity to join them. As the band grew a decision had to be made about the future. It had become apparent that the original members were now too old to be Youth Band members and the band was just too large to continue in its present form. The decision was made to form a new band made up of the older and more able members of the Beevor Youth Band. The Lincoln Beevor Band was born. The Youth Band continued in its original form and is still working today, feeding the "Senior Band" as it is commonly known.
We are known collectively as the Lincoln Beevor Band Organisation, comprising of the Lincoln Beevor Band and the Beevor Youth Band, both bands under the direction of Jane Parker, the beginners class is trained by Jane with the help of members of the Beevor Band and the committee which includes our fund raisers to whom the organisation is greatly dependant. Everyone connected with our organisation gives up their time voluntarily, including the Musical Director.