The history of the present Taunton Concert Band goes back to 1892 when there was a band called the Taunton Town Band. The original band was a Brass Band and in February 1960, when it was re-formed after the war it was known as the Taunton Silver Band. In 1976 it became a Brass and Reed or Wind Band and the name Taunton Concert Band was adopted. In 1986, Martin Wills took over as Musical Director and since then the band has gone from strength to strength and now has over 70 members. The aim of the band is To advance the education of the public in the art of music by the presentation of concerts to which members of the public shall have access, and this is certainly fulfilled as the band plays several concerts each year in many different venues and since 1988 has been to France twice (Paris), Germany (twice), Holland and Belgium to perform. The band has also won several Gold Awards at the National Concert Band Festivals. In 1998, the band was awarded a Lottery grant of £60,000 which made it possible to buy a whole new set of instruments, new stands and a special trailer to transport the percussion section and other equipment. With all the new instruments now available, composer Roger May was commissioned in 1998, to compose a special piece for the band called The Three Towers -three of the Church Towers of Taunton are featured in this work. As well as the main band there is a Training Band, which gives players a chance to learn to play in a band for the first time or those is the main band an opportunity to play a second instrument. Martin Wills also conducts this band, and for his enthusiasm and commitment to both bands, as well as many other musical activities in the county of Somerset, he was awarded a Golden Jubilee Award in 2002
The aim of Taunton Concert Band:- To advance the education of the public in the art of music by the presentation of concerts to which members of the public shall have access.
