Hathern Band

News update August 2011

Aug. 5, 2011

On the 26th June, you may remember one of the hottest days for some time, the Senior Band gave a Proms in the Park performance at the Birstall Gala. We have been flooded out in the past but on this occasion due to the scorching weather a huge crowd of around 3000 were there waiting for us. The programme featured many of the Bands fine soloists and concluded with Jerusalem, Fantasy on British Sea Songs and Pomp and Circumstance. This year were were again joined by Soprano Miss Jenny Saunders who as always was on scintillating form as she sang Gershwin’s Someone to Watch over me and Bernstein’s I feel pretty from West Side Story.

The Concert Brass performed at Kegworth Carnival, again in very hot weather, this is a return visit for the Concert Band who played last year at the same event.

Senior Band, Youth Band and Training Band are now on holiday for 3 weeks, although Concert Brass will continue. For the Senior Band this comes in the middle of preparations for the National Finals.

Finally if we could mention that the Band were presented with a lovely clock and commemorative plaque in memory of Michael Spencer a long time supporter and helper of the Band. A big thank you to Maureen and the Spencer family from the Band.

Hathern Band - National Finals

Jun. 8, 2011

The National Finals Testpiece has been announced – The 1st Section will be

Verdi’s ‘La Forza Del Destino’.

Doctor Antony Edwards

Jun. 2, 2011

Antony (Doctor Antony!) congratulations from us all at Hathern Band – no more exams!!

Concert Brass

May. 20, 2011

Many people are of the opinion that brass bands only play marches; however, this is definitely a misconception as far as Hathern Concert Brass is concerned. The Band was in fine form at their concert on 20.05.11 in St Mary’s RC Church, Loughborough, which was held to raise funds for the recent re-decoration works. Under the baton of Musical Director Andrea Allen, Hathern Concert Brass presented a lively programme in variety of musical styles.

Compositions by Andrew Lloyd-Webber were well represented and included No Matter What from Whistle Down The Wind, which featured the expert playing of Steve Matthews on cornet. Steve’s playing was also prominent in Old Gumbie Cat from the popular musical, Cats and was complemented by the smooth and melodious tones of Dean Onyon on euphonium.

The evening saw the Band’s premiere performance of the Beatles hit Ticket to Ride, which certainly evoked memories of the days of steam, or perhaps a visit to the Great Central Railway and it was definitely a journey enjoyed by the audience.

Amongst other numbers in the programme were Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines; Cruella de Vil from the Disney film, 101 Dalmatians and the Robbie Williams hit, Angels, which included some fine playing by Chris Mulvaney on flugel horn. The brass band traditionalists were not forgotten however, with performances of the toe tapping marches, Kenilworth and Star Lake.

It was a most enjoyable evening and Andrea’s amusing anecdotes and introductions to the numbers certainly added to the entertainment. The audience also needed little encouragement to join in the fun during YMCA and Amarillo, and were sent home with a spring in their step after the Band’s stylish rendition of the popular Michael Bublé song, Sway, which featured plenty of Latin rhythm from Vicky Jones on cornet.

Concert Brass was established three years ago to develop young players in readiness for progression to the Main Hathern Band, by giving them the opportunity of playing a wide variety of music and gaining performance experience. It is also an ideal forum for people not wanting the pressure of competitions that goes with being a player in the main band. Concert Brass has grown steadily and there are currently over 30 members, ranging in age from 8 to 70 but new players are always welcomed.

Leicestershire Brass Band Association Solo/Quartet/Duet Contest

Apr. 17, 2011

A great day for players from the Youth Band who took part in the Groby Solo/Quartet/Duet Contest on Sunday at Groby Community College. (The photo shows Freddie & Stephen, half of the winning quartet, proudly holding the trophy).

A 1st Prize for Hathern Youth A in the 14 years and under Quartets – Freddie Buchanan, Stephen Guerin, George Marshall & Jenny Allen saved their performance for the day and John Berryman gave them 1st Prize ahead of the other 10 quartets competing. The B Quartet – Emily Higson, Hattie Hales, Christopher Allen & Katie Simms came a very creditable 5th.

George Marshall showed them how it should be done in the Slow Melody for his age group and took 1st Prize out of a 30+ entries, a brilliant result and according to Adjudicator Mike Fowles an excellent performance.

Im sure Rebecca Simms didnt mind going on the programme under Hathern Youth Band and with a superb 2nd Prize in the 15 – 18 year age Slow Melody group, has still got a couple of years competing in this section. A 2nd Prize also for Freddie Buchanan in the 10 years and under, he continues to impress the Adjudicators with his sound. Also Freddie`s first time in the Air Varies and a 4th in the 18 years and under gives him another 9 years in this section to get to 1st place!

A big well done to those entering the duet section – Annie Tilling & George Marshall, Katie Simms & Emily Higson, Freddie Buchanan & Stephen Guerin, Christopher Allen & Hattie Hales. There were 35 entries in this section and it was an open section so competing against far more experienced players but some good remarks from Adjudicator Ian Bartram.

All in all a good day, so if you are reading this and you played on the day well done and keep practicing, the next contest is on Sunday 9th October at Groby Community College. If you are reading this and you didn`t enter, see me!!

Thanks very much to you all

Lesley

Training Day

Apr. 10, 2011

Last Sunday (10th April) The Band held its first full Band training day. Players from the Training, Concert Brass, Youth and Senior Bands joined forces for what turned out to be a tremendously enjoyable day of music making and of no lesser value a chance for all members of the Hathern Band organisation to get to know each other a little better.

The session began with 2 hours of section rehearsals in various venues in the village including the bandroom. These were under the guidance of Joe Southgate, Simon Baum, Andrea Allen and Geoff & David Newman.

The music ranged from the traditional march Castell Caerphilly to an arrangement of the music from Harry Potter, in all six pieces were rehearsed.

After the section rehearsals tutors and players met at the Community Centre for tea and a general chat, before sitting as one huge Band to rehearse the pieces and to put into practice all that had been learnt earlier. It was a wonderful sight to see very young members sitting with and sharing a stand with experienced members and getting on together musical and socially.

Lesley, who organised the day, had informed Patrons and Parents of younger players that an informal concert at around 7.30 would be given and it was therefore in a packed Community Centre that the day ended with a performance of all six pieces under the batons of Andrea and David.

A great deal was achieved on this day. A chance for the whole organisation to get to know each other better as well as play together and from the many messages already received from parents of the younger players, they particularly found it inspirational to sit alongside the more experienced players. All in all the day was an unqualified success and we look forward to the next one.

The day was also the first opportunity for everyone to meet the new Hathern Band Chairman, John Worsfold. John has been a long-time supporter of the Band and the man responsible for our very successful Patrons Scheme. We look forward to a long and happy association with John. Whilst welcoming John we must acknowledge the great work done by our outgoing Chairman, Andrew Haworth, who has overseen the Bands progress for many years. Andrew will continue as a playing member of Concert Brass. Our grateful thanks to Andrew and to Louise, who has turned up to all the Committee Meetings and taken the minutes for just as long, but is to continue as the Bands Press Officer.

AREA CONTEST

Mar. 12, 2011

The photo shows ‘The Newman Boys’! – star Euphonium player Geoff and Musical Director David.

Hathern’s Main Band under the baton of Musical Director, David Newman took part in the Midlands Area Brass Band competition at the weekend (12.03.11). All 18 bands in the 1st Section were playing the extremely challenging test piece Carnival Romain by Berlioz.

Since the beginning of the year everyone has been working very hard, putting in many hours of extra practice. This dedication and determination certainly paid dividends when the Band was awarded 2nd place.

Hathern will now represent the Midlands Region at the National Brass Band Championships on the weekend of the 24th & 25th September 2011 in Cheltenham. (Publicity Officer L Haworth)

Hathern Band - Annual Charity Concert in aid of LOROS

Jan. 14, 2011

H A T H E R N B A N D

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Hathern Band’s first concert in 2011 was a Charity event in aid of LOROS, the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice, and the capacity audience at Burleigh Community College, Loughborough thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. This is the Band’s 10th concert in support of LOROS and as in previous years, the concert has also benefited from support by Barclays Bank under their ‘£ for £ Scheme’.

The Band and Musical Director, David Newman, treated the audience to a varied programme with some great playing and opened proceedings with the march Freiweg, which had been arranged by the Band’s solo euphonium player, Neville Buxton.

Mike Wood, the Band’s principal solo cornet player had a busy evening because in addition to performing a duet of the Frank Sinatra number ‘Something Stupid’ with flugel horn player, Lesley Bentley, he and other members of the cornet section were featured in The Water is Wide, The Humming Chorus and a very moving rendition of Auld Lang Syne/Last Post.

Another member of the cornet section, Susan Robinson, demonstrated her other musical talents on keyboard when together with Lesley Bentley on flugel horn, they gave a splendid performance of the delightful number, Scarlet Ribbons. The final solo of the evening was from trombonist Simon Baum who gave a very polished interpretation of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning and all without the aid of any sheet music – most impressive!

In addition to enjoying the Band’s playing, the audience also obviously appreciated the introductions to each number provided by David Newman, whose relaxed and often amusing style certainly added to the evening’s entertainment.

Last year, members of Hathern Band joined the Festival Players, Loughborough in their very successful stage production of the hit film Brassed Off, which had starred the late Pete Postlethwaite. The beautiful number Londonderry Air featured in the production was performed by the Band, in memory of a great actor and as a reminder of the fun of taking part in the play. Music from the film Chicago set the toes tapping as the Band performed All That Jazz with great aplomb and the concert was brought to a rousing conclusion with more film music from The Last of the Mohicans.

The concert was a huge success and raised £1,860.66 for LOROS, including a donation of £750.00 from Barclays Bank under their match funding scheme. The cheque was accepted by Simon Proffitt, Chief Executive of LOROS who thanked everyone for achieving such a splendid amount and said that both he and his wife had thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. Mr Proffitt went on to say that in addition to its 300 employees, there are 900 volunteers and each year the Hospice needs to raise £4 million to continue its work within the local community.

On behalf of Hathern Band, David Newman thanked Barclays for their on-going support of this concert, which has now raised over £21,000.00 for LOROS since the first one ten years ago. He also thanked everyone involved with the concert, particularly the audience, as without such support it would not have been possible to raise over £1,800.00 for the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.

Christmas Concert

Dec. 4, 2010

There was plenty of seasonal songs and festive fun at Hathern Band’s Christmas Concert, which despite the icy conditions, drew a large and appreciate audience to the Hodson Hall, Loughborough. The Main Band and Musical Director David Newman entertained throughout the first half and included a beautiful euphonium duet, Babe in a Manger, from Neville Buxton and Graeme King, plus Santa Claustrophobia which set the toes tapping and Christmas Joy which Neville had arranged for the Band.

It was the Training Band under the baton of David Newman who received the loudest cheers of the night – many of the youngsters seemed dwarfed by their instruments but gave splendid performances of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night and We Wish You A Merry Christmas, all of which had been arranged by Main Band Member, Sam Garton. It was a memorable night for cornet player Steven Guerin as he was presented with the Tom Dennis Memorial Cup for being the Most Improved Learner in the Training Band.

Hathern Concert Brass, which also included members of the Youth Band, gave excellent performances of Last Christmas, The Snowman and Christmas Crackers all of which demonstrated the Band’s playing ability and enthusiasm, together with that of their Musical Director Andrea Allen. Throughout the evening the audience obviously enjoyed singing the carols and Concert Brass provided the accompaniment to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

Before the finale, David Newman announced that the Main 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 Friday 14 January 2011 at Burleigh College, with all proceeds going to the Hospice. Tickets 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 but what a splendid end – the hugely popular Snow Waltz – which saw audience and musicians alike swaying along with the music. The whole evening was certainly a great start to the festive season.