Leader, Norman Rouse
Conductor, Maurice Miles
Arthur Fear (baritone) from the Pavilion, Bath The history of the Bath Pump Room
Orchestra goes back for some considerable time: there is a record of a ' band of musick ', consisting of five players, in 1671. This combination performed in what is now the Orange Grove, under a large tree. In 1704 some of the physicians of Bath requested Beau Nash to allow the band to play in the Pump Room.
Although the music drew large attendances the subscriptions of the patrons were sometimes insufficient, and in 1770 a notice appeared in the Bath papers stating that the music had ceased. However, the expenses were defrayed, and the music restored. In 1783 another notice was issued ; the Council decided that a book should be put in the Pump Room for extra subscriptions, and by this means the music was again restored.