Hathern Band

We'll Meet Again

Jul. 4, 2015

On 4th July, Hathern Band teamed up with Christchurch Theatre Club to provide an evening celebrating 70 years since the end of World War II. And what an evening! Rousing pieces from the band contrasted with a range of nostalgic numbers from the talented Christchurch singers who were dressed in period costume. Hathern’s irrepressible Ben Hardy, a member of the Theatre Club acted as MC. Ben’s brother Jack played repiano cornet on the night, and there was a further family connection as Ben revealed to the audience that the idea for the event came from his father, Jeff.

Numbers by the Band included Colonel Bogey, The Dambusters March, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and a Glenn Miller medley which sounded really authentic despite the absence of saxophones and clarinets. The Band reprised their acclaimed version of Nightfall in Camp – a clever arrangement of the hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save together with The Last Post. For this the front row cornets played at the other side of the church whose acoustics gives the piece such poignancy and feeling. The Band and singers combined for a medley from Carousel and Keep Smiling Through.

The Christchurch men gave us a Wartime Medley and Ben performed Who Do You Think You Are Kidding and Goodnight Sweetheart. Solos from the singers included Some Enchanted Evening by Lyndon Perry, Julie Easter with I Only Have Eyes for You and a moving rendition of I Vow to Thee My Country from Laura Barlow. Holly Easter sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow with the Band and Laura and Holly duetted with When You Wish Upon a Star. Then we had a trio when those of us old enough to remember the Andrews Sisters were given a treat as Laura, Julie and Anita Benson became Patty, Maxene and LaVerne and sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

The finale gave us a flavour of The Last Night of the Proms as the band powered through Pomp and Circumstance and led by the Christchurch singers, we all gave a rousing rendition of Land of Hope and Glory followed by Jerusalem and God Save the Queen. The concert was aptly named, as we were all hoping that we would meet again at another joint concert between the Band and the Christchurch Theatre Club.

Dave Neville – Friends of Hathern Band

Concert Brass Annual Concert

Jun. 20, 2015

The Concert Brass Annual Concert was held on a beautiful early summer evening and it seemed that the weather was a theme throughout the show. Included in the performance were Singing in the Rain, Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain and the Morecambe and Wise classic, Give Me Sunshine. Gardeners like a bit of sun and rain, though Andrea admitted to a total hatred of gardening. Nevertheless, Concert Brass played the theme to the TV programme, Ground Force and Andrea reminded us that the female presenter, Charlie Dimmock was particularly popular with male viewers. Whatever did she mean??

Andrea drew attention to the age range of the band, pointing out that the youngest was only 12. There was hearty applause when she thanked Hathern Band Musical Director Dave Newman for the work he puts into the Training Band which results in so many talented youngsters coming through to Concert Brass and then eventually to the Main Band.

Old rockers like me were delighted to hear Jackie Wilson’s Reet Petite performed by the flugel and horn section. Sadly I’m now too old to jive in the aisle. Other numbers included the jaunty Bandology, Gabriel’s Oboe from the film The Mission, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s With One Look and the rousing March of the Cobblers from Brassed Off.

The concert ended with Pharrell Williams’ Happy which summed up how we all felt. Another great performance from our outstanding Concert Brass.

Dave Neville – Friends of Hathern band

LOROS Concert

Jan. 17, 2015

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 2015 (17 January) was a Charity event in aid of LOROS, the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice, and the capacity audience in the village Parish Church thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. The Charity has particular significance to Hathern Band as three members of the organisation have been cared for by LOROS, most recently Rachael Baum who played tenor horn and whose husband Simon and son Jake play in the Band.

The Band were certainly on top form and together with Musical Director David Newman, treated the audience to a lively programme in a variety of musical styles, which illustrated extremely well the huge diversity of music played by brass bands. David’s amusing anecdotes and introductions to the numbers also added to the entertainment.

The evening got off to a toe tapping start with the march Arnhem and we were then brought to the present day with the wonderful theme by Adele to the Bond movie Skyfall. Next, ‘for something totally different’ was a battle of the euphoniums as Graham Rix and Geoff Newman fought to out do each other in Anything You Can Play (I Can Play Better), a novel and amusing take on the number from Annie Get Your Gun, expertly played by both and should be declared a draw!

There were solos from two of the Band’s talented youngsters. Local village lad Dru Sparks (18) gave a moving rendition of a Sicilian folk tune, Vitae Lux (Light of Life) on flugel horn and all without the aid of music. Percussionist Jake Baum (16) then upped the tempo with Taps in Tempo played at breakneck speed on xylophone and at times he was using four, rather than the usual two sticks. Jake’s father Simon also featured with the other members of the trombone section, Andrea Allen and Amber Lewis as they gave a snappy interpretation of Frolic for Trombones. Music from movies also featured with I Will Follow Him (Sister Act) and Eye of the Tiger (Rocky) and the concert concluded with Bach’s powerful Toccata in D Minor, which exploited the Church’s excellent acoustics to good effect.

The concert was a huge success and raised £2,005.10 for the Leicestershire Hospice, including a donation of £750.00 from Barclays Bank under their match funding scheme. The cheque was accepted by Adrian Walker of LOROS who thanked everyone for achieving such a splendid amount and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the concert, and was very impressed with the standard of musicianship.

On behalf of Hathern Band, David Newman thanked Barclays for their on-going support of this concert, which has now raised over £30,000 for LOROS since the first one 15 years ago. He also thanked everyone involved with the concert, particularly Band Secretary, Lesley Bentley who organised the event, Hathern Church Members, plus of course the audience, as without such support it would not have been possible to raise over £2,000.00 for the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.

__________________ ENDS _________________

Louise Haworth – Publicity officer

Youth Band, Concert Brass & Training Band Awards 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Congratulations to the players receiving awards in December 2014 –

The Echo Shield to the Youth Bandsman of the year – Edward Hefferman

The Albert Caleb Kelham Trophy – The Concert Brass Conductors Awards – Colin Allen

The Tom Dennis Trophy for the Most Improved Learner – Robert Fairlamb

For the first time a new trophy The Harry Smith Memorial Trophy to be presented annually by our President and Musical Director David Newman for outstanding service to a Youth player, this was awarded to – Thomas York

LBBA Contest

Nov. 23, 2014

Congratulations to Andrea and the Concert Brass on their 3rd place in the Unregistered Section at the LBBA Contest yesterday. Brilliant result, well done to all.

(The picture shows Andrea holding the Shield, I would say she looks HAPPY!)

The Senior Band later in the day played in the Championship Section and came 6th on their own choice of Year of the Dragon by Philip Sparke – well done to the band and particularly to Dave for all his hard work.

NEW CD - PASTURE LANE

Oct. 13, 2014

Our new CD was released on Friday night at the Concert we gave at Charnwood College in Loughborough and we had customers queuing out of the door to buy a copy! details are on the recording section of our website.

If you are thinking of Christmas Presents – the new CD is called Pasture Lane and they are £10 each.

Local deliveries can be made or if you are in Hathern our Band Chairman John Worsfold has copies, or I can post out.

Rachael Baum

Aug. 6, 2014

Rachael Baum – Hathern Band

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our Solo Horn player, Rachael Baum who died in the LOROS Hospice in Leicester on Friday 25th July.

Rachael was not only an outstanding tenor horn player but a true bandswoman. Having been taught by the late Bud Fisher, Rachael was a member of the Loughborough Band who won the Midlands Youth Championships on 6 consecutive occasions, and the National title.

Rachael has ensured a lasting musical legacy as her husband Simon is Principal Trombone with the Band and her middle son Jake is part of the percussion team, her younger son George plays euphonium in the Hathern Youth Band.

Our love and thoughts are with Simon and their sons, Harry, Jake and George, at this very sad time.

Dave Tilling

May. 11, 2014

In memory of Dave Tilling –

Dave passed away on Sunday 11th May after a short illness and leaves the family he loved, his wife, Jermaine, his daughter, Annie and his son, George.

Dave was a gentle giant of a man and a more helpful person you couldn’t wish to meet. He was an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of Hathern Concert Brass as well as its stalwart Bass Trombone player for nearly 10 years.

The manner and speed of his passing has shocked us all. It certainly won’t be the same band without him. Rest in peace Dave, we`ll all miss you very much.

With our love – The Hathern Band Organisation

Groby Solo Contest

Apr. 6, 2014

Not such a big entry for the Solo/Quartet/Duet Contest at Groby College on Sunday 6th April but well done to all those who did attend

3rd Prize – 14 years and under Hymn Tune Quartet – George Baum, Stephen Guerin, Olivia Needham and Alastair Smith

2nd Prize – Edward Hefferman in the Percussion section

3rd Prize – Freddie Buchanan in the 14 years and under Slow Melody & 4th Air Varie

A very well done to all those playing solo`s George Baum, Stephen Guerin, Alastair Smith and Rebecca Miller – perhaps we can get more to join you at the next contest in October!