Norfolk Wherry Brass was formed early in 2004 by a group of brass musicians from across Norfolk and Suffolk who came together under the musical direction of Andy Craze to make great music and to enjoy a new experience in banding in East Anglia.  Andy at the time was a member of the Band of the Dragoon Guards based at Swanton Morley

Norfolk Wherry Brass is an exciting new brass band based in Norfolk. It started from humble beginnings with no music, instruments, equipment or uniforms and had to borrow most of these in the early days from local friendly bands.

A key aspect of the success of Norfolk Wherry Brass is its ambition for the future. Its drive to develop and succeed has generated outstanding results in local and national competitions. In March 2005 Norfolk Wherry Brass made their debut appearance at the London & Southern Counties (LSC) Regional Contest, where they were awarded First Place from a field of 22 bands. This result meant a promotion to the Third Section from January 2006 as well as an invitation to take part in the National Finals in Harrogate, where they were placed 5th overall. In May 2005, the band won the East Anglian Brass Band Association Spring Festival for the second time securing them a promotion to the local Championship Class.

Returning to Stevenage in March 2006 for the LSC Regionals, Norfolk Wherry Brass repeated the previous year's win, gaining another promotion and a second invitation to the National Finals in as many years.

But the story isn't all about major competition. Norfolk Wherry Brass has had a tremendous programme of concerts throughout 2006, including an appearance in the Broadland Music Concert Series at St Andrews Hall, Norwich, where in January they shared the concert stage with the United Co-op Yorkshire Brass Band. In June they shared the stage with the very talented Broadland Youth Choir in the majestic Norwich Anglican Cathedral, as part of the Norwich Flower Festival. A large proportion of the band's concerts are in association with local charities to help with their fund raising activities, examples of these are the Royal Air Forces Association, Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust, Norfolk and Norwich Pensioner's and several local churches.  2006 also saw us say goodbye to our founder Musical Director Andy Craze, who, on the disbanding of the Band of the Dragoon Guards was posted to Wiltshire.  Geoff Barber, who had been a flugel horn and cornet player with the band, replaced Andy.  Geoff had had previous Musical Directing experience and under his leadership the band’s improvement continued through the year.

2007 saw the band continue to improve finishing 5th in the second section of the LSC Regionals at Stevenage, the hard work put in rehearsing the test piece was well rewarded. Our concert programme for 2007 included appearances at Ludham, Sea Palling and Stalham Churches, 'Last Night Of The Proms' concerts at the Mundesley Festival and for St. Mary's Church Stalham where we also played for the Remembrance Sunday Service and the R.A.F.A. Christmas Concert.  Other memorable events for the year also included a concert at the Auden Theatre at the Gresham School in Holt, for the North Norfolk Lib-Dems a concert in Wymondham Abbey as part of their 900 year celebrations and at the prestigious Eastern Daily Press Festival of Carols at St Andrew's Hall, Norwich. 

In March 2008 Geoff Barber announced to the band he would have to stand down as Musical Director due to a hearing problem that was not going to improve, his temporary replacement was one of the band’s founder members Steve Clarke who offered to help out whilst we look for a permanent replacement.  Steve has now had to stand down due to increased work commitments increasing the pressure on finding a more permanent replacement.

Other programmes established by the band are reaping rewards for the younger generations too. In July 2005 Norfolk Wherry Brass hosted its first annual Solo, Duet and Quartet competition with around 40 entries from musicians of all ages. But most important of all is the establishment of the Norfolk Wherry Youth Brass Band, directed and managed by experienced members of Norfolk Wherry Brass who encourage and coach new young players.

The UK banding fraternity now has great expectations of Norfolk Wherry Brass. Having set a high standard on both the contest and concert platforms, they have a growing following of Friends as well as a reputation as being one of the countries "most forward thinking brass bands". The band is rightly proud of its achievements to date and looks forward to entertaining audiences with the highest standards in brass music for years to come.