About the Band
A community ensemble for players of all ages…
Leeds Concert Band was formed in 2010 as a community ensemble for players of all ages. Many of our founding members are still playing with the band today.
The band’s motto is Music, Community, Friendship and we try to make sure these principles are evident in everything we do.
We rehearse once a week and play concerts throughout the calendar, around Leeds, and occasionally beyond. We often play to raise funds for local charities, and estimate that we've raised over £20,000 in this way, over the years!
Introducing our Musical Director, Taneli Clarke
Taneli Clarke has been the Musical Director of Leeds Concert Band since January 2024.
He brings a varied portfolio of musical experience - performing, directing and composing/arranging across a wide variety of genres including all periods of Western art music, military and brass/wind music, contemporary/experimental music and popular/jazz music.
As a solo performer Taneli won both Kirklees Young Musician of the Year (2015) and Cumbrian Young Musician of the Year (2014) - the first percussionist to win either competition. He also won the University of Huddersfield Concerto Competition (2014) where he studied under Shaun Crowther (tuba), Chris Bradley (percussion) and Natalia Luis-Bossa & Philip McCann (conducting). As an ensemble performer he is in demand as a freelance musician across orchestras, musicals, brass bands, military bands & big bands.
He is also an experienced composer and arranger with commissions including works for National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain (2013), Huddersfield Choral Society and Black Dyke Band (2015).