Kent Coastal Concert Band is based at St. Peters Church Hall in Greenhill, Herne Bay, where rehearsals are held each Monday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

The bands roots are drawn from a small group of Herne Bay musicians who used to rehearse in the church hall just for fun. At that time there was no conductor; they began playing after being ‘counted in’ by the Chairman Andrew Stringer.

The band was then properly formed in 1992 under the baton of Paul Valentine and boosted by musicians he brought with him from the Thanet area. At the time the band was known as ‘The Coastal Blowers,’ and with a new conductor a new name had to be found. After some discussion the name ‘Kent Coastal Concert Band’ was agreed signifying that members came from all over the county. This is still true today with many travelling far and wide for rehearsals and concerts, although the nucleus still originates from Herne Bay and Thanet.

The band performed its first concert after about two and a half years at Christmas, in the church hall. We now perform regular concerts at venues all over the county, including bandstands, fetes, carnivals, festivals and charity events. The band is always keen to perform at new venues and anyone interested in booking us should contact Andrew Stringer. Our annual Grand Christmas Concert is our biggest and most successful event, now held at the Kings Hall, Herne Bay, where several hundred members of the public are entertained each year.

Back in 1992, there were only 10 to 15 players but the band has now grown to 45. We are proud that we have members of all ages, school children to retired and from all backgrounds.

The band, although amateur, aims to perform concerts of a high standard and is now regarded as one of the most successful and able bands in the area. Playing a varied repertoire, the band is well established with a sound reputation.

We are funded by concert proceeds and a £1 weekly subscription from members in order to cover the cost of new music, equipment and rehearsal hall hire. We also now wear smart green uniforms, consisting of waistcoats and ties. The band logo featured on our music stand banners was designed by Tony ‘the trumpet’, who formed the initials of Kent Coastal Concert Band with a clever mix of musical notes and symbols.