The G.T Group Band Peterlee was formed in 1974 as the Peterlee Town Band. The band was formed jointly between Peterlee Town Council who bought the instruments and Peterlee Development Corporation who provided the uniforms.

In 1993 the band gained sponsorship from the G.T Group of Companies, an engineering group that has its headquarters in Peterlee, and consequently changed the name to the G.T Group Band Peterlee. Although now known as the G.T Group Band we are still the local town band and have town councillors who sit on the band committee.

The bands schedule includes many and varied engagements. Our commitments to the town council include marching at the head of the carnival procession every September, taking part in the Remberance Day commemorations and providing music for the Mayoresses At Home. We take part in numerous concerts throughout the year in local churches, clubs etc. As an active contesting band we compete in Section 1 of the National Brass Band Championships and in Section A of the Durham County Brass Band League. We have had many contest successes over the years.The following is a list of some of our most recent: -

• 1992 C.I.S.W.O 3rd Section Champions
• 1994 North of England 3rd Section Runners Up
• 1995 North of England 3rd Section Runners Up
• 1995 C.I.S.W.O 3rd Section Champions
• 1999 North of England 2nd Section Runners Up
• 1999 C.I.S.W.O 2nd Section Champions
• 2000 North of England 2nd Section Runners Up
• 2002 Whitehaven 2nd Section Runners Up
• 2003 Whitehaven 2nd Section Champions
• 2004 Durham League Section A 3rd Place
• 2006 Durham League Section A 2nd Place

We have qualified to play at the National Finals four times in the last ten years. This included the Millenium contest which was held at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Band pictured outside the Royal Albert Hall shortly after competing in the National Finals 2000.

 

In 1997 the band received a grant of £66,000 from the National Lottery to purchase a brand new set of instruments and a mini bus. Following on from this we were chosen from all of the groups in the country who had received lottery funding to make a commercial for Camelot. This not only appeared regularly on national T.V but in cinemas and was even spotted as far afield as the Faroe Isles!

The band also played a major part in the film "Like Father" in which our Flugel Horn player, Joe Armstrong, had a starring role.