Patrons Evening & Senior Band Awards
Sept. 10, 2017
The annual concert for patrons of Hathern Brass Band was held at the school on 10 September. Patrons support the band financially and the concert (plus an excellent supper) is a way of saying thank you to them.
The concert is also an opportunity to try out some pieces “on friends” to get practice before they become part of the band’s repertoire. The band whisked us off for A Spin through Moscow by Shostakovich. This was followed by the hymn Manchester, a piece of music which has added poignancy following the Manchester Arena bomb. Composer Andi Cook has recently arranged the hymn for brass bands and proceeds from the sale of the music go to the charity set up to help the victims.
Other numbers included Georgia on my Mind with soloist Dru Sparks on Flugel Horn, Pie Jesu led by cornet duet Mike Wood and Ken Powell and the peaceful Tranquility played by George Baum on vibraphone. The programme not only showcased the talents of band members as musicians, but also as musical arrangers. In Christ Alone is a modern hymn and was arranged for the band by tenor horn player Sam Garton. Quidditch by John Williams was featured in the first Harry Potter movie. Hathern’s rousing version was arranged by trombonist Joe Southgate. The band’s major piece was Resurgam (I Shall Rise Again). This is a most demanding piece of music and the after many weeks of rehearsal, the band gave a brilliant rendition.
A delightful interlude was provided by four young members of the Training Band (one of four bands in the Hathern Band family). Ashton Peat, Jack Browne, Sam Edwards and Rian Grindley came first in their section as a quartet in the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Spring Festival and they gave a brilliant repeat performance of Eventide. There were some very proud parents in the audience. Training Band has over 30 youngsters learning a brass or percussion instrument.
Patrons’ Evening is also an opportunity for awards to be made. The Bandsman of the Year is chosen by musical director Dave Newman and presented, not only on musical ability but also for their commitment and work for the band. Solo cornet player and pianist Susan Hargrave received the award for 2017. Player’s Player of the Year is chosen by all the band members and was presented to soprano cornet player Ken Powell.
Dave Newman said that the band had never played better, and with talented youngsters coming through, the band is on course to be successful for many years to come. He paid particular tribute to the bass (tuba) section (the ones who play the very low notes!), saying that they were the most improved section of the band. Finally, chairman John Worsfold thanked the patrons and made a plea for all supporters to spread the word about the band. He remarked that at the Proms in the Park held in Hathern Park in June, many people attended who didn’t know that Hathern has a first class brass band. From 2018 the band is in the top championship section which includes famous bands such as Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe and Black Dyke. It’s quite an achievement for a little village band. The band doesn’t have a sponsor, so the support of patrons who contribute a minimum of £25 a year is crucial.
If you would like to keep in touch with the band and receive information about concerts and news, the band newsletter is published quarterly. To receive a copy please email Dave Neville at daveneville1947@gmail.com
Birstall Proms Concert
Aug. 6, 2017
Another great evening at Birstall Proms Concert last night and the weather, certainly in the evening, was perfect. Hathern Band were on fine form playing to a large and appreciative audience, finishing their programme with Last Night of the Proms music. A very impressive firework display was the finale for another Birstall success.
The Doppler Effect
July 2, 2017
Hathern Band were approached by BBC Radio 4 to take part in a recreation of the Doppler Effect experiment on the Great Central Railway in Loughborough. Conductor Charles Hazlewood, who is to present the programme, was in attendance. Twelve of Hathern Band members played on Loughborough Station, then boarded the train. Fortunately they were allowed to travel in a coach rather than an open wagon, which is how the original experiment was conducted by Austrian Physicist Christian Doppler.
At Quorn Station the BBC had a recording and film unit (they were also recording and filming on the train) and the as the train approached Quorn Station, the players put their instrument bells out of windows and played top G’s as loud as possible, as the train went through the Station. The recording showed about a semitone change, much to the delight of Charles Hazlewood. The programme will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 15th August at 11.30 a.m. and again on Saturday 19th August at 3.30 p.m.
Hathern Band as you’ve never heard them before!!
See the video on Charles Hazlewood’s twitter feed.
