Hathern Band

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

April 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

March 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