Hathern Band

LOROS CONCERT

Jan. 18, 2014

Arriving at Hathern Parish Church to find a queue of people boded well for the Charity Concert being held there in aid of the LOROS Hospice, given by Hathern Senior Band and indeed there was a capacity audience.

The Band were certainly on top form for their first concert of 2014 and together with Musical Director David Newman, treated the audience to a lively programme in a variety of musical styles, which emphatically demonstrated that brass bands don’t just play marches. The concert was something of a worldwide tour; we were taken on a trip to America which had us Breezin’ Down Broadway and our toes were set tapping with a fast paced rendition of Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music, set in Salzburg, Austria. Next it was off to Vienna for a great version of the Fire Bell Polka by Josef Strauss, complete with a ‘fire bell’ expertly struck by Rebecca Simms, rather different from playing her usual instrument, the tuba. We then called in at Berlin to hear the well known number Mack the Knife from the Threepenny Opera, which had its premiere in the city.

The solos featured during the evening changed the pace and mood; euphonium player Graham Rix expertly played Lament, a beautiful tune by Carl Jenkins; there was a very smooth version of the George Gershwin number Embraceable You by trombonist Simon Baum and flugel horn player Lesley Bentley gave a powerful rendition of the lovely ballad Right Here Waiting.

The concert was a huge success and raised £2,158.00 for the Leicestershire Hospice, including a donation of £750.00 from Barclays Bank under their match funding scheme. Annually, around 2,500 people benefit from the care provided by LOROS, either in the Hospice or in the Community and to carry on with this work, £4.5 million has to be raised each year. The cheque was accepted by Adrian Walker of LOROS who thanked everyone for achieving such a splendid amount and he was pleased to confirm that 90p of every pound raised would go towards patient care.

To conclude a great evening’s entertainment for a great cause we ended our whistle stop tour in Paris with a wonderfully fast and furious version of the Can Can. Indeed, it was a superb evening of marvellous music and David Newman’s amusing anecdotes and introductions to the numbers certainly added to the entertainment.

On behalf of Hathern Band, David Newman thanked Barclays for their on-going support of this concert, which has now raised nearly £28,000.00 for LOROS since the first one in 2002. He also thanked everyone involved with the concert, particularly church members John & Rosemary Worsfold for their help and also the audience, as without such support it would not have been possible to raise over £2,000.00 for the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.

Louise Haworth – Publicity Officer

Louise Haworth

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Dec. 14, 2013

There was plenty of seasonal songs and festive fun at Hathern Band’s Christmas Concert, which attracted a capacity and appreciative audience to the Hodson Hall, Loughborough. Hathern’s Senior Band and Musical Director David Newman entertained throughout the first half and included marvellous renditions of The Wonder of Christmas, Jingle All The Way, The Carol of the Drum and The 12 Days of Christmas, which was supported by some fine singing by the audience.

However, it was the Training Band also under the baton of David Newman who received the loudest applause of the night with their brilliant performances of Ding Dong Merrily on High/First Noel and Winter Wonderland. Several of the youngsters had only been playing a few weeks but it was clear they had been practising very hard and the whole band certainly looked like they were enjoying the occasion with many wearing festive decorations. It was a particularly memorable night for Alastair Smith as he was presented with the Tom Dennis Memorial Cup for being the Most Improved Learner in the Training Band, which was no mean achievement with over 30 players in contention. It was also Alastair’s final appearance before his progression to the Youth Band/Concert Brass (the picture shows Alastair receiving his award from David Newman).

Hathern Concert Brass, which also included members of the Youth Band then took over the stage and gave splendid performances of Troika, Let it Snow and Candlelight Carol featuring the Band’s new principal cornet player, Sarah Moore. All the numbers demonstrated the Band’s excellent playing ability and enthusiasm, together with that of their Musical Director Andrea Allen. Throughout the evening there was plenty of excellent carol singing by the audience and Concert Brass provided the accompaniment to The First Noel. A big thank you once again to John Weizel for the use of the Hodson Hall at Loughborough Grammar School, who always make the Band so welcome.

Before the finale, David Newman announced that the Senior Band’s first event in the New Year would be a Charity Concert in aid of the LOROS Hospice. The concert is supported by the Barclays Bank ‘£ for £ Scheme’ and takes place on Saturday 18 January 2014 in Hathern Parish Church, with all proceeds going to the Leicestershire Hospice. Tickets priced at £6.00 are available now from Band Secretary, Lesley Bentley on 01509 672029 or email, lesley.bentley@dsl.pipex.com.

All good things must come to an end as the Senior Band performed the hugely popular Snow Waltz, which saw audience and musicians alike swaying along with the music and the final number was the well known and much loved, White Christmas. The whole evening was full of great Christmas music and seasonal cheer, which certainly sent everyone home with a festive spring in their step.

Senior Band Annual Awards

Oct. 5, 2013

The Hathern Band showed their appreciation to the Patrons of the Band for there continued support by entertaining them on Saturday evening. This annual event was again held at Hathern Community Centre and the Patrons were treated to varied music, food and drink along with David Newman’s joke repertoire!

The annual awards for the Senior Band were also made on the evening and congratulations to – Joe Southgate who was awarded the Bandsman of the Year from David Newman and Dru Sparks who was voted the Players Player.

Betty Anderson - Honorary Patron of Hathern Band

May. 3, 2013

Betty Anderson, Honorary Patron of Hathern Band was presented with her 50 year Long Service Award from the National Association of Brass Band Conductors on Friday 3rd May. The award was presented by another long serving member of the Association, Sydney Swancott who travelled down from Doncaster to make the presentation. The ceremony took place in Oadby at the Care Home where Betty now lives and it also coincided with Betty’s 84th birthday. As a surprise members of Hathern and Ratby Bands played several pieces and Betty conducted, still showing she hasn’t lost her touch!

The photo shows Betty (who is also President of the Leicestershire Brass Band Association) with her award and the other members of the LBBA Committee – David Newman, Lesley Bentley and Steve Plant.

Leicestershire Brass Band Association Solo Contest

Apr. 14, 2013

Another great day for Hathern’s youth players who took part in the Solo, Duet & Quartet Contest at Groby on Sunday

1st Prize in the 18 years and under duets – Jenny & Christopher Allen 3rd Prize in the 11 to 14 years Slow Melody – Emily Higson 1st Prize in the 18 years and under Quartets – Freddie Buchanan, Jenny Allen, Emily Higson & Christopher Allen

Well done to some excellent performances from our other youth players taking part on the day – Alastair Smith, Rian Grindley, Louise Higson, Stephen Guerin, Katie Simms & Rebecca Simms

Midland Regional Brass Band Championships

Mar. 9, 2013

On Saturday 9th March, 17 Midland Area Bands in the First Section went to Bedworth Civic Centre to take part in the annual area contest. Some of you will have heard the test piece as Hathern Band had one of its final rehearsals in Hathern Church and everyone was invited along to hear them playing. The 17 bands took about 6 hours to play the piece and Hathern was placed 5th (the top three bands are invited to the National Finals in September).

However, movement up or down the sections is dictated by aggregate scores. So, when the 5th place is combined with Hathern’s last two placings in 2011 and 2012 of 2nd and 4th, it means that the Band is promoted to the Championship Section for 2014, playing with the big boys. It should be an exciting year, and congratulations to the Band members and its Musical Director, David Newman, are well deserved.

Full results from the Midlands at 4barsrest. There are 8 Regional Contests during March – Midlands, Yorkshire, West of England, North East, North West, London & Southern Counties, Scotland and Wales

John Worsfold

Chairman – Hathern Band

LOROS Charity Concert

Jan. 19, 2013

It had looked as though Hathern Band’s Charity Concert in aid of LOROS on Saturday 19 January would be cancelled when news was received that Charnwood College, Loughborough had been closed due to the adverse weather conditions. However, Hathern Parish Church came to the rescue and offered the use of the church for the concert. Thankfully, despite the last minute change of venue and the extremely cold and snowy conditions, there was a packed audience to enjoy the Band’s varied programme.

The Band and Musical Director, David Newman, set off at a brisk pace with the circus march Waltonian. Other toe-tapping numbers were Miller Magic, Cabaret, Mack & Mabel and the Lord of the Dance which highlighted the percussion skills of Jake Baum and Joe Southgate on vibraphone and glockenspiel. The splendid sounds of the trombone section – Simon Baum, Tom Dyer-Hill and Amber Lewis – along with Principal Cornet Mike Wood featured in Hot Toddy. Mike’s superb cornet playing was also much in evidence both in the Nat King Cole hit, When I Fall in Love and the delightful number A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

Percussionists Jake & Joe took centre stage to give a brilliant and amusing performance of Liszteria, with the two xylophones battling for the audience’s attention and both came out triumphant! As a complete contrast the Band played the Cole Porter number I’ve Got You Under My Skin, featuring the melodious tones of Lesley Bentley on flugel horn and Susan Robinson on cornet. To bring the concert to a close was an arrangement by Joe Southgate of the Dr Who theme, aptly entitled 11th Hour!

This was the Band’s 12th Concert in support of LOROS and as in previous years the concert benefited from support by Barclays Bank under their £for£ Scheme. Despite the difficulties, the wonderful sum of £1,869.00 was raised for the Hospice, including a donation of £750.00 from Barclays under their match funding scheme.

On behalf of Hathern Band David Newman thanked the Church Members, particularly John & Rosemary Worsfold, for their tremendous help in enabling the concert to go ahead. He also thanked the audience for their support and Barclays for their on-going commitment to the annual concert.

Despite the wintry weather, everyone went home with a warm glow after a great evening’s entertainment and helping to raise nearly £1,900.00 for the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.

Over £25,500 has now been raised for the Hospice since the Band started the Concerts in 2001.

L Haworth – Publicity Officer

Hathern Band Christmas Bazaar

Nov. 24, 2012

The Hathern Band Christmas Bazaar was held at the Church on Saturday. Cakes, tombola, crafts etc were all on offer and our thanks to all those who turned out to support the event. The Concert Brass entertained with Christmas Carols which were very much appreciated.

The Annual Awards were presented by Andrea Allen, Musical Director and awarded as follows –

Hattie Hale

The Echo Shield

Youth Player/Bandsman of the Year

Jenny Peak

The Albert Caleb Kelham Trophy

The Conductors Award

Congratulations to both Hattie and Jenny, very well deserved.

Groby Solo's, Quartets & Duets

Oct. 7, 2012

A great day for Hathern’s youth players at the Groby Contest

Rebecca Simms – 1st in the Slow Melody age group, Aire Varie and Sightreading and won the Leicestershire Junior Champion Award

Freddie Buchanan – 1st in Slow Melody & 1st in Air Varie & 3rd in the Sightreading

Edward Brown – 1st Open Percussion

Well done to some excellent performances from our other youth players taking part on the day – Jenny Allen, Stephen Guerin, Louise Higson, Christopher Allen, Emily Higson, Katie Simms and George Baum.