General Harding's Tomfoolery

General Harding's Tomfoolery is a lively thirteen-piece dance orchestra at the University of Kent Music Department in Canterbury, and is directed by Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding - although Dan is not responsible for the name, which was the creation of trombonist (and driving force behind the band), the legendary Captain Adam Murgatroyd!

 

The band comprises student and staff players, and was formed in November 2013 to explore an unusual bequest to the department: a complete set of original period band parts - see Background for the full story.

 

Since then, the band has gone on to win Keynestock 2014, the annual battle-of-the-bands competition run by Keynes College; had the audience dancing as they played on the main stage of the Kent Union Summer Ball; and brought the audience to its feet during Summer Music Week, the university's musical end-of-year celebrations.

 

Repertoire includes the usual period classics, from Glenn Miller's In The Mood to Puttin' On The Ritz, The Continental, Blue Moon and more, displaying the band's musical versatility, and showmanship. Whether swinging along with American Patrol, schmoozing in Moonlight Serenade or stepping deftly to Blue Tango, the music will always make you want to dance...

 

Visit our Events page to find out where we're playing next!