Previous News and Highlights
(See also Split Notes Newsletters)
2002
FIRE BRIGADE CHARITY CONCERT - The Band's annual fund-raiser for the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund raised over £3000 for the charity. In addition to the St Aidan's School Choir, who performed a selection of carols, we were delighted to welcome Lucy Rhodes, BBC Radio 2 Young Choirgirl of the Year 2002, to sing with us again. Once again she captivated the audience in the Harrogate International Centre and helped to make the evening a great success.
<22/12/2002>
MADE IN HARROGATE - THE RECORDING - The Band's latest CD is available at last. Recorded earlier this year it is an unique collection of music by Harrogate composers, arrangers and others associated with the town. The programme for this recording arose from a concert held in November 2001 in the Royal Hall, Harrogate, to raise funds for the restoration of that fine and unique Victorian building. In its early years the Royal Hall - originally called the Kursaal - was very much the main focus of musical entertainment for residents and visitors to the spa treatments in Harrogate. For further details of the CD, and how to order copies, see the RECORDINGS page.
<17/12/2002>
BIG NIGHT - A further TV appearance by the Band brightened up the early Sunday tea-time slot on Yorkshire Television. "Big Night" was a half-hour documentary following the Band's preparations during the summer of 2001 for the National Championship Finals in Preston and concluding with the day of the contest itself. Following the Band's appearance on "Heartbeat" earlier this year, one of the Band's cornet players, Neil Davidson, was invited back to film another episode in the series for YTV.
<8/12/2002>
LUCY IN THE NAVE WITH JEWELS - It is hard to imagine a better way to start the celebrations for the Christmas season - the Band's gala concert "Festive Brass and Voices" brought together the combined talents of the Harrogate Band, York St John Chamber Choir and our guest soloist Lucy Rhodes - the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister 2002. Add a programme of music to delight a wide range of musical tastes, a near-capacity audience in the splendour of Ripon Cathedral, the premier performance of a new work by David Lancaster, Ripon Jewel and, finally, the not inconsiderable attraction of free tasting of the beer of that name produced by Daleside Brewery, it all added up to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Lucy demonstrated beautifully those skills and qualities that won her the BBC competition. Her performance of a number of seasonal items, accompanied by the Band and Choir, was magical. York St John Chamber Choir provided a first half selection of Christmas music and followed that with some songs from Gershwin, Porter and Kosma. The Band's programme included The Kingdom Triumphant by Eric Ball - which was particularly effective in the Cathedral setting - and Peter Graham's Cartoon Music whose comical effects were a great hit with the audience - especially when the MD "shot" the bass trombonist, who played his death scene most convincingly. (See full programme from this concert)
<7/12/2002>
LIGHT UP A LIFE - The Band's first Christmas engagement took them to St Michael's Hospice for the annual "Light up a Life" service. In a fine December evening, totally contrary to the weather forecast of driving rain, a large crowd celebrated the work of the Hospice at Crimple House, with the magnificent vista of the Crimple Valley and its viaduct as a backdrop.
<2/12/2002>
PIPPED AT MALTON - Runners-up by one point in a strong field of the other top bands in the Yorkshire & Humberside Association area. Malton Brass 2002 proved once again the magnet for a good entry of bands and a wide selection of entertainment programmes. We were narrowly pipped at the post by Drighlington Band, but our performance was clearly enjoyed by adjudicator Roy Roe. Congratulations to all the band, particularly cornet soloist Rob Illsley for his rendition of Love on the Rocks and the percussion quartet for their multi-instrumental versatility in Cartoon Music. America by Neil Diamond, the march Arabian, Gaelic Blessing and the finale from The Year of the Dragon completed our programme.
<3/11/2002>
MAJESTIC BRASS - the big band sound featured at the Majestic Hotel in our latest concert. Music from the 30s, 40s and 50s, classic swing numbers and modern interpretations of earlier pieces provided a change to the traditional brass band programme. Performers and composers whose contributions to the genre were highlighted included Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Neil Hefti, Count Basie, Ted Heath, Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond. (See full programme from this concert)
<13/10/2002>
HARROGATE DOUBLE - National Finals 2001 - drawn band number one, placed last. National Finals 2002 - drawn band number one, placed last! A disappointing result, given the band's good on-stage performance and very positive feedback from various listeners - even the composer himself. However we acquitted ourselves well and had an excellent weekend's banding, representing the North of England region, in the sunny resort of Torquay. Congratulations to the winners - Staffordshire Band - Leonardo is a stiff test and the competition was strong.
<24/9/2002>
CHOICE BRASS - A departure from the normal programming for a concert was a great hit with the audience in St Peter's Church, Harrogate. Instead of the musical director selection the music, the pieces were chosen by individual band members. A wide range of musical tastes were catered for, ranging from classical (Procession of the Sirdar, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Polotsvian Dances) to popular (With You I'm Born Again, New York New York, Puttin' On The Ritz) and several others.
The Band Jukebox was in operation during the second half, where the audience themselves chose an item. In this instance there was a tie for first place and the Band played both the Post Horn Galop and Nimrod. The audience were treated to the first public performance by the Band of the test piece for the National Brass Band Championship Finals later in the month - Leonardo by local composer Philip Wilby. All proceeds from this concert will be going to assist the band in its trip to Torquay for the Finals. (See full programme from this concert)
<8/9/2002>
BARBEQUE TREASURE - The Band's Annual Treasure Hunt was held around the streets of Harrogate. Taking in the more salubrious and verdant parts of the town and, to the disappointment of at least one team, not passing a single pub, a most enjoyable and puzzling afternoon concluded with a barbeque held in the grounds of our President's home. Many thanks to Michael and Mary for hosting the barbeque and to David and Liz for setting the hunt. Congratulations to Gavin and his family on their stupendous victory - their "prize" is to set the trail for 2003. Anyone who fancies an afternoon clue hunting in Harrogate next year should contact the band!
<4/8/2002>
A SUMMER AFTERNOON IN THE PARK - In glorious hot, sunny weather, in a pleasant corner of the park, we entertained visitors enjoying the delights of Golden Acre Park at Bramhope. It is nine years since we last played there and the park is well worth a visit with its lake, gardens and woodlands - even if there is not a band playing!
<28/7/2002>
NIDDERDALE BRASS - The band was very pleased once again to participate in the Nidderdale Festival with a concert at the Joe Longster Bandstand in Pateley Bridge. At last the weather smiled on us and the audience, and a splendid afternoon's music was enjoyed by all. Due to some of our members being on holiday we were grateful to other players who filled the vacant seats. On 2nd Trombone was Arthur Layfield, conductor of the Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Prize Band and ex-member of the original Harrogate Silver Band, who has recently published a book celebrating the centenary of that band. It is filled with pictures and reminiscences of Nidderdale bands over the last 100 years and can be obtained from Arthur. For details email gavin@ibew.co.uk 
<7/7/2002>
HELEN & NICK - All our congratulations and best wishes to band cornetists Helen and Nick Garrett on their wedding. The band was delighted to provide music for the service at St Mary's church in Thirsk and to join the bride and groom for the celebrations later. 
One of the highlights was the processional music chosen by Helen - Elsa's Procession to the Minster from Lohengrin by Wagner - the timing of band and bride were impeccable and the sound absolutely magnificent! (see also the article in the local newspaper)
<23/6/2002>
AGRICULTURE v. FOOTBALL - A popular open day at the local agricultural college at Askham Bryan was rather overshadowed by the England world cup match on the same day. The band entertained the rather meagre audience that only started to pick up later in the afternoon. A wide range of attractions was available - not least of course ourselves - and we look forward to the opportunity to perform there another year without the competition of soccer.
<16/6/2002>
SINGING IN THE RAIN - It is not inappropriate that this piece of music was the second item in our concert in the Harrogate Valley Gardens. A small audience braved the flaming June drizzle and downpours to listen to the concert. A wedding reception in the Sun Pavilion, up-slope from the Bandstand, had a more enjoyable (at least dry) position to enjoy the band's performance!
<9/6/2002>
MG DALES RALLY - A wet, cold, early Sunday morning found the band entertaining the arrival of members of the MG Owners' Club as they gathered for the start of their Dales Run. Unfortunately the weather probably kept the more elderly cars away - there were none of a pre-1960 vintage - however we sent them on their way with a variety of rousing and suitably "Yorkshire" melodies.
<26/5/2002>
HIGH PEAK PERFORMANCE - A very strong field of Championship and 1st Section Bands were arrayed against Harrogate at the Buxton Brass Band Festival. Amidst the splendid backdrop of the Pavilion Gardens and Opera House, in glorious Spring weather, the band gave a strong and spirited performance of their chosen test piece - Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter, to win fourth place. Spectrum is one of Vinter's finest works and consists of seven distinct sections each representing a colour of the spectrum, from fiery red through to brooding purple. Excellent performances by Glossop Old Band (Whitsun Wakes) and Towcester Studio Band (Tallis Variations) won them 1st/2nd placings.
4barsrest quote:
Spectrum" (Gilbert Vinter) is extremely 'colourful' music and drawn 4th David Lancaster took Harrogate Band in a very good performance where all the musical colours were well depicted. Having taken 2nd in the 1st section at the North East Regionals they certainly endorsed their current form at this contest taking 4th place with 187 points.
<6/5/2002>
TORQUAY HERE WE COME!! - The Harrogate Band will be representing the North of England Region in the National Brass Band Championship Finals in Torquay in September. Second place in the Northern Region First Section Championships held in Darlington assured the band's invitation to the Finals for the third year in a row. A winning performance of George Lloyd's Royal Parks narrowly missed gaining the band a hat trick of Champions trophies and we had to settle for runners-up to winners Gateshead Brass. Another, great pleasure was the award of the trophy for "Best Percussion Section" to Katie Illsley and Steve Morland. This is the John Hallums Trophy which was donated by the Harrogate Band to the Northern Region Championships in John's memory in 2001. Our excellent result in this contest assures our promotion to the Championship Section for 2003 - a first for the Band and a superb achievement for all the players, but particularly thanks to the inspiring leadership of MD David Lancaster.
4barsrest quote: What a good scrap this was. Three performances in particular caught the fancy of adjudicator Roy Roe, and to be fair, there was a strong case for each of them to be given the top spot, as all of them had full command of the Lloyd work and all gave quality performances. .................... Harrogate and David Lancaster who showed what a good quality outfit they are with a committed and very musical performance that possibly didn't quite have the depth and breadth of tone and sound of the winners, but nonetheless a fine rendition of the Lloyd work. Last year's winners have plenty of quality about them and will also go to Torquay as strong contenders.
<16/3/2002>
LIMBS FOR LIFE CONCERT
- Harrogate Soroptomists invited the Band to give this concert in aid of Limbs for Life, a charity supporting casualties of anti-personnel landmines. A wide range of musical pieces from the Band were very nicely contrasted by our guest artists in the concert, The Four Degrees - a talented barbershop quartet from the University College of York St John.
<10/3/2002>
BRASS BAND CONDUCTORS CONVENTION - The Band gave an illustrated concert in Wetherby for the National Association of Brass Band Conductors Annual Convention, concluding a weekend of discussions, talks and music. 
Philip Wilby introduced his works The Seasons, played by the band, and his most recent test piece Atlantic. Three additional works by Harrogate based composers were played by the band and were discussed by Neil Richmond who related their place in the musical history of Harrogate. Following an illustrated talk on Early Harrogate Bands by Gavin Holman, further pieces linked to Harrogate were introduced by David Lancaster and the Band.
Click here for an article from "The Conductor", describing the event
<17/2/2002>
COMPOSITION WIN - David Lancaster recently won the brass band category for his work Cuba in a new competition organised by the Leeds University Music School in conjunction with Black Dyke Band, The British Trombone Society and The Society for the Promotion of New Music. His score was one of 72 received for judging in the competition which, according to Philip Wilby, "were of exceptionally high standard making the judging very difficult". Well done David!
<1/2/2002>
AMERICAN GUESTS FROM CONCORDIA - Our first concert of 2002 was held with the Concordia University Wind Ensemble from Wisconsin, conducted by Dr Louis Menchaca, who were in the UK for a concert tour. The audience thoroughly enjoyed a varied programme of contrasting styles, illustrating the combined musical heritage of both bands.
<19/1/2002>
NIDDERDALE BRASS - The band was very pleased once again to participate in the Nidderdale Festival with a concert at the Joe Longster Bandstand in Pateley Bridge. At last the weather smiled on us and the audience, and a splendid afternoon's music was enjoyed by all. Due to some of our members being on holiday we were grateful to other players who filled the vacant seats. On 2nd Trombone was Arthur Layfield, conductor of the Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Prize Band and ex-member of the original Harrogate Silver Band, who has recently published a book celebrating the centenary of that band. It is filled with pictures and reminiscences of Nidderdale bands over the last 100 years and can be obtained from Arthur. For details email gavin@ibew.co.uk 
HELEN & NICK - All our congratulations and best wishes to band cornetists Helen and Nick Garrett on their wedding. The band was delighted to provide music for the service at St Mary's church in Thirsk and to join the bride and groom for the celebrations later. 
One of the highlights was the processional music chosen by Helen - Elsa's Procession to the Minster from Lohengrin by Wagner - the timing of band and bride were impeccable and the sound absolutely magnificent! (see also the article in the local newspaper)