LOROS Concert
Jan. 14, 2012
There was a packed audience at Burleigh Community College, Loughborough for Hathern Band’s Charity concert in aid of LOROS, the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice. This is the Band’s 11th concert in support of LOROS and as in previous years, the concert has benefited from support by Barclays Bank under their ‘£ for £ Scheme’.
The Band was certainly in sparkling form for their first concert of 2012 and together with Musical Director David Newman, treated the audience to a lively programme in variety of musical styles, which emphatically demonstrated that brass bands don’t just play marches!
There was a lovely selection from the musical My Fair Lady, a big band number, Swing When You’re Winning and we were treated to the Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel, which had been arranged by Neville Buxton, the Band’s solo euphonium player. Unusually, Neville’s arrangement included a part for keyboard and this was expertly played by the multi-talented Susan Robinson, a member of Hathern’s cornet section.
The concert included a number of solos; Jack Hardy gave a very soulful and moving performance on cornet of the Michael Bublé hit Cry Me A River and the flugel horn solo of the song Alfie was beautifully played by Lesley Bentley. The Band’s principal cornet player Mike Wood swapped his cornet for the post horn and stunned the audience with his brilliant rendition of the Post Horn Gallop and all without the aid of any sheet music! It was a busy evening for Mike as he and the rest of the cornet players, plus the horn section set the toes tapping with the Jackie Wilson number Reet Petite and Mike also featured in Someone To Watch Over Me, a great jazz classic brought to prominence in recent times by the late Amy Winehouse.
The solo, Zirkus Renz performed by percussionist Joe Southgate proved that he is certainly a virtuoso xylophone player but his talents also extend to excellent arrangements. The Band played Joe’s arrangement of the Dr Who theme, which was very evocative and one almost expected the Tardis to make an appearance. To conclude a great evening’s entertainment for a great cause the Band played the powerful hymn How Great Thou Art, which perhaps should be sub-titled “as seen on TV” following the Band’s performance of the hymn on The One Show a few months ago. Indeed, it was a superb evening of uplifting music and David Newman’s amusing anecdotes and introductions to the numbers certainly added to the entertainment.
The concert was a huge success and raised £2,105.00 for LOROS, 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 that both he and his colleague Peter Barnes had thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. Mr Walker 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 to provide free care to terminally ill patients and also give support to their families.
On behalf of Hathern Band, David Newman thanked Barclays for their on-going support of this concert, which has now raised over £23,500.00 for LOROS since the first one 11 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 £2,000.00 for the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.
Press release
News update December 2011
Dec. 12, 2011
By the time that you read this, the Hathern Band will have been very busy during December.
The Band have played at New Parks Methodist Church, Melton Mowbray Christmas Tree Festival, Loughborough Town Hall, around Hathern streets, Hathern Christmas Tree Festival, Loughborough Masonic Hall, Christmas Concert at Hodson Hall (tickets still available from Lesley), Hathern Church Carol Service, Loughborough Hospital, Loughborough Care Centre, The New Inn, Peggs Green and Quorn Village Hall.
The Concert Brass have also been playing in Loughborough at the Rushes and Biggin Street, at Abbey Park and at the Christmas Concert at Hodson Hall.
After a well-earned rest over Christmas, the Hathern Band will again be doing their annual concert supported by Barclays £4£ scheme, all money in aid of LOROS – the Concert will be at Burleigh Theatre on Saturday 14th January 2012 and tickets at £6.00 can be ordered from Lesley Bentley, 672 029. Since beginning this annual event 10 years ago, the Band has raised £21,500 for LOROS.
The members of the Management Committee, the Hathern Band, Concert Brass, the Youth Band and the Training Band thank everyone for their support throughout 2011 and wish you all a Happy New Year.
(the picture shows the Hathern Band playing at Melton Mowbray Christmas Tree Festival)
Concert Brass - Santa Special
Dec. 11, 2011
The Concert Brass had a great time at their annual visit to Abbey Park in Leicester to play at the Santa Special organised by the Leicester Society of Model Engineers. They are always looked after so well and this is one of their favourite events and they are already looking forward to next year. Is this really Andrea conducting the Band!!
News update November 2011
Nov. 10, 2011
All of Hathern’s Bands are currently gearing up for December, every Bands busiest month of the year.
The Senior Band gave its annual concert in aid of Hathern Church on Saturday 29th October at Burleigh College. The Concert was very well received by all and over £400 being raised for Church funds. The Band has a close link with the Church with the Band playing at the Armistice Service on the 13th November and they will be back there on December 18th for the annual 9 Lessons and Carols Service, always a great occasion. In addition a group from the Band will be playing on Sunday 11th December in the Church at the Christmas Tree Festival.
The Bands annual Christmas Concert at Hodson Hall on Saturday 17th December is an exciting time especially for the Training Band, many of whom make their concert debut in front of a full house, and normally steal the show.
The Training Band rehearse 6 – 7 p.m. on a Monday evening and is composed mainly of very young people. No previous musical experience is required so if any young people would like to join the existing 30+ members please contact Lesley Bentley at www.Lesley.Bentley@dsl.pipex.com
News update October 2011
Oct. 15, 2011
The Senior Band competed at the National Finals in Cheltenham on Sunday 25th September and they finished 12th. A pleasing performance but the Band is determined to do even better next time.
Two young players in the Band featured in National organisations this year with 13 year old Jake Baum (percussion) playing for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and 9 year old Freddie Buchanan (cornet) playing for the National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain. Both players also took 1st Prize, along with Rebecca Simms (Eb Bass) at the recent Leicestershire Brass Band Association Solo/Quartet/Duet Contest. Our congratulations on all these achievements.
The Patrons Evening was held on the 8th October when our guests were given an insight into the new programme with first performances of 8 new pieces including solo’s from Hathern resident Jack Hardy and Xylophonist Jake Baum. Also on this evening the Senior Awards were presented – Stu Ratcliffe received the Player of the Year and Graeme King was awarded the Bandsman of the Year. A special award this year was to David Newman from Leicestershire Brass Band Association for 50 years loyal and dedicated service to the brass band movement – this was presented by honorary Patron of Hathern Band, Betty Anderson, who is also President of the LBBA (the pictures shows Dave receiving his award from Betty).
You may have missed it but the Band were on the One Show on BBC1 on Friday 7th October filmed at the Great Central Railway, which was a lot of fun to do.
The Concert Brass gave their Annual Concert on the 1st October at the Parish Church and this was a great success. The Conductor’s Award was presented to Dean Onyon and Young Bandsman of the Year to Christopher Mulvaney.
We neglected to mention last month that the Training Band played at the Family Service in Hathern Church on the first weekend of September. This they do every year along with the service on the first Sunday of February, a performance enjoyed by players and congregation alike.
After a weeks break for half term all the Bands will be preparing for a very busy December, along with a Contest for the Senior Band at the end of November.