The Band was formed in 1919 as a Wind Band, but later, in 1927, the Woodwind instruments were traded in for new brass instruments. Following the outbreak of war in 1939, it was hoped to keep the band going, but, as most of the bandsmen were called up, this was not possible.  The instruments and uniforms were kept in store until the end of the war, when the band reformed from scratch and began entering contests.

One of the earliest significant successes for the band came in the 1950’s when they won  the Area qualifying contest for the National championships at Belle Vue, Manchester.  There the band was placed 6th in its section under the direction of the late Mr. R Walter.  In 1973 Mr Walter retired and Mr B Luxton took over until 1978.  Since then the band has been under the direction of Nick Chadd, whose unstinting commitment has led to them qualifying twice more for the National Brass Band Championships of great Britain in 1990 & 1998.

Under Nick Chadd, Launceston Town Band always encouraged young players to get involved.  Wayne Smith continued to bring on young players over the next couple of years and in November 2004 Garry Lannie was appointed MD.  Under Garry the players have developed and the band has a full compliment of players entering contests and continuing with concerts throughout the year.  A Junior Band has been started and is going well under the baton of  Mike Webber, assisted by Ann Brown and David Dobson.  

In June 2005 the Band competed in the West of England Bandsman’s Festival held at Bugle, for the first time in many years.  David Dobson took up the baton in November 2006 and is settling in well.  Following our successful Solo & Quartet contest in 2006 plans have been made for a repeat event to be held in Launceston on Saturday 13th October 2007, an event the band is looking forward to greatly.

Dave became involved in music in 1975, when he began playing Bb Bass in a local Brass Band where he lived in the Midlands. He continued playing, eventually with Championship section band ‘Banks’s Brewery’ Band until he moved to Cornwall in 1987.

When he moved to Launceston he played for the Launceston Town Band on Bb and Eb Bass, at the same time conducting the Launceston youth band in one of their few contests performances. He continued to assist Nick Chadd by helping with the young players until he moved to play for the Mount Charles Band, and soon after that Bodmin Town Band in 1990. He played for the Bodmin Town Band for several years, restarting the youth band there as well as continuing playing until he ‘retired’ from playing to concentrate on conducting in 1996.

During his playing career with Bodmin he appeared in two National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall.

Dave built up the Youth Band at Bodmin to compete in several contests and many concerts in this period. Whilst still with Bodmin as Youth Band MD he took up the baton at Bude Town Band, taking them from a band of 12 players to winning the Cornish 4th Section title in under two years. During this time he also went to London, and took part in a conducting course given by Geoffrey Brand.

Dave left Bude Town Band to conduct the Mount Charles Senior and Youth Bands. As resident conductor at Mount Charles the band were promoted to the Championship section and he was fortunate to work with, and learn from, professional conductors Bryan Hurdley and Bob Childs during this time.

Dave conducted Bugle Silver Band and Saltash Town band following this for twelve months before relinquishing all commitments to Bugle to concentrate on Saltash Town Band where he stayed for five years.
In his time at Saltash the band  progressed from an ensemble of 16 players when Dave took over, to a full band that was promoted to the third section nationally, becoming West of England Champions along the way and gaining 7th place at the National finals in Preston in 2001.

Running along side all his involvement with Cornish banding, Dave was involved for several years with the Cornwall County Youth Brass band, spending one year as senior tutor.

Dave has been the Musical Director at Launceston Town band since October 2006, and still regularly comes out of retirement to play the Tuba when asked by Bodmin and other local bands.