Our Past -

Our Orchestra stands alongside the independent steel bands of the World. We are just as they are in that our formation was the idea of just two people along with the support of some of the parents and Charities we raise money for, brought together their children and formed the basis of the orchestra in November 1985. The charity involvement lives on and regular gigs are played so as to ensure a steady flow of money is given to the charity we collect for (The Royal Manchester Childrens Bone Marrow Fund). Many musicians have passed through the band over the past 22 years and added their own individual mark upon the aura of the Orchestra. The original founders may have moved on, but the motto we have held since the beginning still remains "We Not I".

Our Present -

2008 was one of our most successful yet and started with a great event working with girl guides preparing them for a concert at the newly opened Liverpool Arena. The rest of the year was very busy right through to Christmas with many of our regular venues revisited as well as several new ones that we hope include again during 2009. The summer included a very successful 12 day tour in Devon. This was our seventh visit since 1996 when we first called in to Torbay for one day between events in Plymouth and Cheltenham. This year the venues included Torquay, Brixham, Paignton, Dawlish, Teignmouth and Dartmouth as well as a return to the Eden Project. It was great to meet old friends as well as the many holiday makers who came to listen to the Sound of Stockport Steel. Our new caravan accommodation was superb and we hope that we will have an opportunity to visit again in the near future.

Several new players were promoted to the Senior Orchestra during last year and we are now back up at the strength we were around six years ago. This makes plenty of players available, even when some are working or on holiday. This will be good for the summer’s busy schedule which is listed alongside, with more details if you click on the locations. Hopefully the weather will be a lot sunnier (and dryer) this summer and we wont get events rained off as we have had in the last two years. We missed doing Malpas last year, as its one of our favourite weekends, along with our annual visit to the steam gathering at Flookburgh, which this year will again become three days away from home as we revisit Great Towers Scout Camp immediately after. Following our visit to Esbjerg, Denmark in February 2007, we have been invited to spend some time back in the city in August this year. We will be arriving during the Esbjerg Music Festival when there will be a three day steel music festival with bands from Denmark, Sweden and England playing around the city. We will then be around the area for another week of music and holidaying. There are 24 players going over and they are really looking forward to all the holiday. We all know we will have a great time and meet many of our friends from last time.

The latest Volume 6 CD has again proved popular over the last year, along with the other three CDs that are all readily available wherever we play or by post. We also made our latest donation to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Bone Marrow Trust Fund which we have been supporting since 1985 with our licensed collections in North West shopping precincts and several other donations from supporting organisations. The total donated to date now stands at over £36,000, including £500 from the fountain at Al Fresco Italian restaurant in Hazel Grove.

Our Future -

With a stream of up and coming players in our Junior Section we are always guaranteed a solid playing force. Let the future bring what it may, we are well prepared! Our future is dependant on a constant influx of new talent and our Junior orchestra is the perfect place for them to develop their skills as artistes. Steve Marshall now looks after the teaching with some help from experienced players. The learning curve can be steep but well worth the effort for those who are prepared to put in the work. The Junior section practices every Monday night at Hazel Grove Primary School in Stockport. For further details please contact us.