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
Jul. 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.
Dr Tom Wallage BVMedSci BVM BVS (Hons) MRCVS
Jun. 17, 2017
BRILLIANT AND CONGRATULATIONS TOM WALLAGE – 1st Class Honors, nothing less than we expected!!
We had a great night last night saying goodbye (hopefully not for good!) to our ‘Veterinary’ Tom.
Where has the time gone since Tom arrived at Hathern Band in 2012. In September 2012 I received an email from a colleague of mine in the North which said
“Dear Lesley – there is a young man who has been playing for some years with Riverside Concert Band, he’s a very good player and a smashing lad – aren’t all Geordies?!! His name is Tom Wallage and he is going to vet School at the University of Nottingham. I said give me a few more details and at best I will find out for you which bands not to join!! I pushed him further and he said he was to be based in Sutton Bonington. As soon as he mentioned Sutton Bonington Lesley I thought of you…..I immediately denied all knowledge of knowing anyone in the area, but relented and just warned him ..sorry…cautioned him about you!! Joking aside Lesley I know you are just the person to look after him”
I received a phone call from Tom a couple of days later and the rest is history as they say. Tom turned up at the band room with his cornet and impressed us all with his playing and what a Bandsman, always there always helping. We have laughed since at how Tom got excited when he saw the band room for the first time in daylight, not wanting to let the grass grow under our feet we were picking him up, taking him to rehearsals all the through the winter months, whether he wanted to be there or not!
We’ll miss you very much Tom and hope you will be very happy in Nantwich and just remember it’s an easy drive down the A50!!
Love from all your friends at Hathern Band x
Leicestershire Brass Band Association Spring Solo/Quartet/Duet Festival
Apr. 2, 2017
A brilliant day for all the Hathern Youth Band members entering the Contest today. A special mention to:
George Baum 1st in the Open Percussion and on Euphonium 3rd in the Junior Slow Melody and 3rd in the Sight-reading
Hathern Youth Quartet – 1st in the 14 years and under, the photo shows Ashton Peat, Jack Browne and Sam Edwards with the Adjudicator, unfortunately Rian Grindley had to go home early but I’ll update the photo when I can!
Ashton Peat – 2nd in the 10yrs and under Slow Melody (this was Ashton’s first contest, so a 1st and 2nd is pretty good!!)
Jack Browne – 3rd in the 11/12 yrs Slow Melody
Sam Edwards – 4th in the 15yr Slow Melody and 2nd in the Sight-reading
Well done to all the players taking part including George Powell, Camilla Newham, Inigo Tristanto, Alice Powell and Amadea Tristanto WELL DONE
MIDLAND REGIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mar. 11, 2017
Weeks of hard work paid off last Saturday when the Band were awarded 3rd place in the Midland Regional Championships First Section held at The Civic Hall in Bedworth, Warwickshire. In a field of 16 bands, Hathern, were drawn to play number 13 and delivered, in the words of the adjudicators ‘much to enjoy’, in Philip Sparke’s Land of the Long White Cloud. This result leaves Hathern at the top of the 1st Section League Table and consequently will be promoted to the Championship Section from January 2018.
The players would like to record a massive vote of thanks to Dave for all his hard work and sleepless nights! rehearsing the band for the Contest. Also both Dave and the Band would like to thank David Hirst for his advice and guidance leading up to the Contest day.
The picture shows Dave and Stu Ratcliffe with the presentation shield
2017 Annual Concert for LOROS
Jan. 14, 2017
Hathern Band started 2017 in fine style with a charity concert (14 January) held in Hathern Parish Church in aid of LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice. The Charity has particular significance to the band as three members of the organisation have been cared for by LOROS in recent years.
The Band was certainly on top form and together with Musical Director, Dave Newman, treated the audience to a lively programme in a variety of musical styles which illustrated extremely well the diversity of music played by brass bands. We were treated to a trip to the movies with music from Ben-Hur and then came hurtling down the slopes to the Ski Sunday TV theme tune. Next we were given a Ticket to Ride, with an arrangement of the Lennon and McCartney number which evoked travel on a steam train most effectively, all very appropriate with nearby Loughborough being home to the Great Central Steam Railway. Long distance travel was next and to mark the first anniversary of the death of David Bowie, the Band gave a powerful performance of his composition, Life on Mars.
The pace was slowed by Simon Baum’s lovely rendition on trombone of the Hoagy Carmichael number, Stardust and all without the aid of music! Euphonium player Graham Rix whisked us off to Italy with his fine playing of the Neapolitan song Catari, Catari which had us all thinking of warmer, sunnier days.
Hathern Band is proud of its long tradition of teaching youngsters and has thriving Training and Youth Bands within its organisation. Two youngsters who have progressed through to the Senior Band (George Baum and Edward Hefferman) gave a sparkling performance of the xylophone duet, The Two Imps, which was very well received by the audience. The Band is extremely grateful to the members of Hathern Church for the free use of their wonderful building for the concert and the finale, Hymns of Praise, was a fitting conclusion to the concert.
The concert was a great success and raised £2040.38 for the Leicestershire Hospice including a donation of £750 from Barclays Bank under their match funding scheme. The cheque was accepted by Derek Horsfall of LOROS who thanked everyone for achieving such a fantastic amount. He was pleased to report that the extension work at the Hospice was well underway with the new Professional Development Centre due to be completed this summer and the Therapy Unit is set to be finished by the middle of 2018.
Louise Haworth