Hathern Band

Training Day

April 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

March 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.