Photos capture performances in county venues from bygone eras
From Yorkshire’s famous brass bands to appearances by some of the biggest names in show business at the time, music has been at the heart of our communities over the years.
Whether your love is jazz, orchestral music or the rousing sounds of a brass ensemble, here is a fascinating look at performances captured in images from our archives.
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There’s a poignant photo of members of Knaresborough Silver Band posing with volunteers of the National Reserve at the town’s railway station before they left for service in the First World War in 1914.
Another image shows members of Thelma Hammond’s Ladies Orchestra at Gala Land in Scarborough during the 1950s. The underground Aquarium became Gala Land in 1925, until the venue was demolished in the 1960s.
And there are also photos of promotional posters advertising performances, including an appearance by Des O’Connor at the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough during the 1970s. Opening in 1921, the Futurist was both a theatre and cinema which operated until 2014 before it was demolished in 2017.
North Yorkshire Archives holds thousands of historic photos - you can browse the collection through the online shop.
If you have any further information about any of the images on this page, our archivists would be keen to hear about it. Please email yny@northyorks.gov.uk.
Ripon City Band, which formed in 1860, are pictured after winning the first prize in an annual brass band competition in 1928. This image is part of the Ripon Re-Viewed collection created by Ripon Civic Society and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
Ripon YMCA Band pictured in the mid-20th century. This image is part of the Ripon Re-Viewed collection created by Ripon Civic Society and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
A photo of the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association’s competition at Hardraw. There is no exact date for the photo, which is taken from the G. W. Martin collection.
Members of Knaresborough Silver Band pose with volunteers of the National Reserve at the town’s railway station before they left for active service in 1914 during the First World War.
Peter Legh’s Dance Band is pictured at The Olympia in Scarborough in 1957.
Don Pedro’s Band is pictured performing at Gala Land in Scarborough in 1947.
Members of Thelma Hammond’s Ladies Orchestra are pictured at Gala Land in Scarborough during the 1950s. The underground Aquarium became Gala Land in 1925, before the venue was demolished in the 1960s.
Violinist Max Jaffa and his orchestra are pictured playing at The Spa Grand Hall in Scarborough in 1960. They returned each summer until 1987.
Popular street musicians from Pritchard’s Band are pictured in Scarborough during the Victorian era.
A programme for the Des O’Connor Show at the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough in the 1970s. Opening in 1921, the Futurist was both a theatre and cinema which operated until 2014 before being demolished in 2017.
A programme advertising The Bachelors Show for a headline show at Floral Hall in Scarborough in the 1970s. Floral Hall first opened in 1910.
A flyer promoting a special concert of the world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers at Bedale in 1912. The image is from records of the Bedale Literary and Debating Society.
A poster advertising a concert of sacred music given by a 25-strong choir at Reeth Congregational Church in 1895. The image is from the Draycott Hall Manuscripts.