Derby Midshipmen Band - Show & Marching Band

The Beginning - 1935

A group of young people from the Canal Street area of Derby decided to form their own Carnival Band after watching other bands performing in the Derby area.
The first meeting was held in 1935 at the Victoria Inn, Midland Place. At this meeting they decided that the style of the uniform should be similar to that of a Naval Officer and that the name of the band should be the "Derby Midshipmen Carnival Band".
In the beginning the instruments played comprised of drums, bugles and kazoos, the band performed for many charitable organisations who raised money for local Derby hospitals.
The band's first professional engagement came in 1935 when the Manager of the Old Coliseum Picture House asked them to advertise the film "The Fleets in Port Again". The band charged £2.00 for this engagement, but when the manager of the picture house found out that the money was going towards the purchase of new uniforms he immediately increased it to £20.00 and the cheque was made payable direct to Smiths of Drewry Lane.
The band's first contest was on 18th June 1936 at Belper Carnival, not managing to get within the top three places did not dishearten the band as their first win was not far away. On 27th August at Lime Grove Carnival the Midshipmen won 1st place along with the Marching Prize and the Gold Medal for best Drum-major (Miss J Peachy).
In 1939 the band split up because of the war. The instruments were kept by the members in their various homes to reduce the risk of them being lost in bombing raids.
In 1947 the drums and trumpets came out of the cellars, and as soon as clothing coupons were abolished, the band was able to have new uniforms.

The 1950's to 1980's
Since 1947 the band had been steadily improving their standards and in 1961 the ‘Middies’ were the first Carnival Band to win the Carnival Band Secretaries League (CBSL) Triple Championship. (This was an amalgamation of 3 contests, the SouthEast Midlands, the Midlands County’s and the League Championships).
In 1971 the band was responsible for reincarnating the old Derby Carnival and organised Derby’s most colourful occasion until 1976. Also during this time the Middies were the only band to march on Plymouth Hoe.
In 1975 the Derby Midshipman Carnival Band was one of the founder members of the Carnival Band Association and the band was undefeated for the first two years.
Then 1984 the band changed its uniform from the style of the British Midshipmen to that based on the style of the French Naval dress of the 1800’s period.

The 1980's up to the present day
Currently, there are approximately 30 performing members and the instruments played within the band cover a wide range of Brass, Woodwind and Percussion. The band entertains the public in Carnivals, Parades and Main Arena Events, providing intricate music and marching displays which are changed each year.
During the years the band has won almost every major trophy at numerous contests and championships. Since 1990 the Derby Midshipmen have entered 98 contests. During this time 'The Middies' have never been out of the top three places having obtained 82% of these in first place. This record has earned them the reputation of being one of the most successful and professional carnival bands in the UK.
The Middies are
Undefeated Carnival Band Secretaries League Champions
Since 2001

Amber Valley Champions - Horsley Woodhouse
undefeated Since 2000

Midlands Counties Champions – Newton
2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008

South East Midlands Counties Champions Runners-Up – Lowestoft
2000, 2001, 2002

South East Midlands Counties Champions
2003

The band has also been invited to some very prestigious venues in recent years which include
Epsom Derby Day
Wembley Football Stadium
Donnington & Croft-on-Tees race tracks
London Arena
Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade
National Festival and Boat Show (Inland Waterways)
Bathgate Procession & John Newland Festival


In 2001 The Derby Midshipmen Band gained its status as a Registered Charity (No. 1088782) helping its work raising money for local and national charities by performing in concerts and cabarets.
The band’s displays last, on average, 15 – 20 minutes and to gain the full effect of the bands intricate marching displays a minimum arena size of 70 x 50 yards is required.

The Derby Midshipmen Band practice on Wednesday and Friday evenings
7.30 pm – 9 pm
Rolls Royce Club
Moor Lane
Allenton
Derby
DE24 9HY

and outdoor practice on Sunday mornings
10am -12 noon
Noel-Baker Community School and Language College
Bracknell Drive
Alvaston
Derby
DE24 0BR