XBY Concert Band with BAM Adult Choir
Sunday 25th June 2023 at 4:00 pm

Formed in 1989, XBY is comprised of Alumni musicians and teachers from BYMT (Bromley Youth Music Trust) and since its formation has been under the watchful eye of Dennis Mycroft, who taught most of the bands players when they were still in the Bromley Youth Music Trust.

XBY regularly performs and competes both nationally and internationally and has made a number of professional recordings for world-renowned composers. As well as this XBY regularly performs locally in concerts in the local community. Last year XBY achieved a Gold award in the highest class of the World Music Championships in Kerkrade, to add to their collection of previous awards from the World Championships and platinum and gold awards from the National competitions.

Members of the band are predominantly past members of  Bromley Youth Concert Band who now pursue separate careers outside of music. XBY gives musicians the opportunity to perform a wide variety of music whilst bringing audiences a high standard of programmes to enjoy.

You can keep up to date with what the band is doing on XBY’s facebook, twitter, instagram and on our website where forthcoming concerts are posted.

John Hargreaves is a freelance conductor, music director and percussionist, based in South-East London. He studied conducting with Rob Wiffin, Denise Ham, George Hurst, Peter Stark and John Landor, and is Director of Music at Woldingham School.

John has conducted the Lewisham Concert Band since 2016 and has worked with various choral societies, local theatre companies and other groups in the South-East. He has directed the National Festival Orchestra at the Buxton Opera House and Harrogate Royal Hall and, more recently, worked with the London Mozart Players. John studied percussion with Graham Johns (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) and still plays regularly. He has performed with the XBY Concert Band in national and international competitions, including the World Music Contest (2001-2022). As a jazz/big band/rock drummer, he has led bands at the 100 club, Brecon Jazz Festival, Festival Hall, and Fairfield Halls. He is a member of Trans-Siberian March Band and Route 66. John occasionally composes and orchestrates music. He has yet to publish his opera Il Travesti, which remains on his ‘80% shelf’, along with an unfinished musical, various ideas for making a fortune and a book on why you should never become a teacher.