a History of the Band
Luton Concert Band, formerly Challney Community Band, was the idea of Vic Galyer, Principal of Challney Community College. He wanted a further education offering for young musicians leaving school and asked teacher Bill Bell and former conductor, Richard Guess, to form a community band. Both of them had many years of experience with the very successful Challney Schools Band and by April 1991, the new Band was formed, attracting musicians, young and old.
Following Richard's retirement in 2017 the band has continued to prosper and grow under the directorship of Stephen Bradley. In 2018 the emotional decision was made to change the bands name to Luton Concert Band to reflect the more diverse range of band members which has steadily moved away from former Challney pupils to encompass players from Luton and beyond.
One of the highlights of the band was having the honour of playing for the annual dinner of The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and Milliners at Guildhall in London in June 1992, playing in the gallery whilst The Guild were eating their meal.