BEST WISHES - The Band wishes all its friends and supporters a joyful Christmas and good prospects for the New Year. 2004 has been another good year for the Band with many highlights, not least of which is the 10th anniversary of the inspired leadership of our Musical Director, David Lancaster. To all those who have supported the Band, enjoyed our music and visited our website - thank you!
<16/12/2004>
NEW ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM - The Band now has an online discussion forum, open to all friends and supporters. You are invited to join the forum and contribute to topics being discussed, or start your own topics. Joining merely consists of providing a username and your email address, then the initial password will be sent to you. Any suggestions for the forum or comments about the Band and its activities are welcome. Even if you do not wish to join the forum, you can leave comments in the guest book provided. The forum can be found at harrogateband.proboards38.com.
<23/11/2004>
MALTON MIXED FEELINGS - After a thrilling mini-concert in the Malton Brass 2004 Entertainments Contest, which had the audience largely in agreement that our performance was the best of the day, it was disappointing to only be placed 4th. The Band, and MD David Lancaster, were all delighted with our playing and a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all.
<10/11/2004>
SOLO CORNET VACANCY - From the end of November we will have a vacancy for a first class solo cornet player, ideally to play assistant principal. This is a rare opportunity for a reliable, committed and ambitious player to join this friendly and enthusiastic band at a very exciting time. The Harrogate Band's plans for early 2005 include the Yeovil Entertainments Contest, a CD recording and a serious assault on the North of England Championships! Our enthusiastic team enjoys good rehearsals and a wide range of quality engagements throughout the year. Come along to hear us at Malton and St Helens contests in the coming weeks. Please contact MD David Lancaster, 01423 522643 or email david_lancaster@ntlworld.com
<01/11/2004>
NEW PHOTO GALLERY - This online picture album for the Harrogate Band has recently been set up. As yet there are but a few photographs available, but more will be added as they become available, are transferred or are scanned! Any contributions from members or friends who have pictures are more than welcome. Please also feel free to leave any comments in the gallery.
<01/11/2004>
BRASS IN THE CATHEDRAL - Our Gala Concert held in Ripon Cathedral was a great success. The Band, together with guests Ripon Grammar School Big Band, delighted the audience with performances ranging across the musical spectrum and included solos from Harrogate's Principal Cornet, Robert Illsley and Saxophonist Rachel from the Ripon Big Band. The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of MD David Lancaster's association with the Band. For further pictures and programme details of the concert click here. The Band would like to thanks its programme sponsors:
Daleside Brewery,
Lishman Sidwell Campbell & Price accountants, Chocolatiers (The Arcade, Ripon),
Arrow Readydrive, M.D. Walton Carpets & Beds, ABC Music, Fineprint, Hutchinson & Buchanan solicitors, and Albert Hymas Ltd.
<04/10/2004>
BRASSED OFF! - York Theatre Royal's production of Brassed Off, based on the famous film of the "Grimley Colliery Band" and its struggles with its local pit closure, was a great hit with audiences and the Band alike. One of the most successful shows in that theatre for some years had its music provided by the Harrogate Band together with the Shepherd Group Band, who shared the performances over the three weeks of the run. The Band members played the parts of players in the Grimley Colliery Band on stage in various scenes in musical and supporting roles, and also provided off-stage music for the production. See the Brassed Off! page for more details and pictures.
<25/09/2004>
NATIONAL FINALS IN HARROGATE - As with all major events and particularly contests, there is a need for many people to help make the event run smoothly. Members of the Harrogate Band were on hand over the weekend of the National Championships at the Harrogate International Conference Centre. In addition to assisting with stewarding duties, the Band also provided two rehearsal facilities for visiting bands - which 22 of the bands took advantage of! Congratulations to the winners of all the sections - and we look forward to the return of the contest to Harrogate in 2005.
<15/09/2004>
CASTLE HOWARD BY FLOODLIGHT - One of our more unusual engagements took place at Castle Howard when we were asked to play for the departing guests at a private party. Arranged on the lawn in front of the main entrance, after we'd set up and had some refreshments, we awaited the end of the party. As with all such events the timing was somewhat awry and it was well past midnight when our fanfare trumpeters finally got the signal to lead the guests, in an impromptu triple canon, out onto the terrace to be greeted by the band's performance.
<07/08/2004>
HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - Our concert for the Festival, with our guest David Childs, delighted the large audience who attended. David, of course, was superb with his rendition of Philip Wilby's Euphonium Concerto and various "showcase" items, and the programme of alternating British and Russian music was clearly enjoyed by all. We were also pleased to be able to help Joe Symonds with his Lands End to John O'Groats Euphonothon when he joined us to play Rule Britannia. Click here for a review of the concert
<05/08/2004>
LES MACKOWN - Les Mackown, a founder member of the Harrogate Band in 1970, recently retired from his post as Band Librarian. A tenor horn player with the band as well as its Secretary for many years, Les was one of the bedrocks upon which the band relied and he was very influential in the development of the band in the first two decades of its existence. In recent years Les has taken a less prominent role, but has continued to give a great deal of support to the band. We are sorry that he has retired from active work with the band but were delighted, at the Band’s concert at the Wetherby Riverside Bandstand, to be able to present him with a few gifts and mementoes to mark his retirement and honour his support for the Band.
<18/07/2004>
BUPA HOSPITAL FETE - Mr Punch was on hand to keep the children amused with his band of helpers and many enthusiastic sideshows and games. Plus of course the main entertainment given by the Harrogate Band! Despite glowering skies, the odd light shower and a less than seasonal chill, a good time was had by all, and the band was even presented with a cake to take away at the end!
<10/07/2004>
HARROGATE LADIES COLLEGE CENTENARY - The Band was delighted to help Harrogate Ladies College celebrate its centenary in July. Together with the Harrogate Male Voice Choir a splendid joint concert was given in a large marquee in the grounds of the college. Fortified by a pre-concert "hog roast" the Band and Choir demonstrated the best of Harrogate music making to a large and appreciative audience.
<02/07/2004>
HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - For the first time the Band has been invited to perform as part of the Harrogate International Festival. This world-class festival attracts many international orchestras, soloists, ensembles and stars each year and we are delighted to participate. In previous years the Band has performed as part of the "Festival Fringe". The concert will take place on Wednesday 4th August and will feature guest artist David Childs, the internationally acclaimed euphonium soloist. David will also be starring in one of the BBC Promenade concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on 2nd September. The theme for the concert will be Russian and British Music. For the programme, click here, and for more details and for tickets see the Harrogate International Festival website.
<10/06/2004>
RIPON CATHEDRAL GALA CONCERT - Look out for news about our annual Gala Concert in Ripon Cathedral. This year we will be marking the occasion of David Lancaster's tenth year as Musical Director of the Band. David will be choosing a special programme reflecting upon some of the highlights of the last ten years and including some music specially composed and arranged for this concert - it promises to be a wonderful occasion of favourites old and new, in a most spectacular setting. More details on the Engagements page in due course.
<09/06/2004>
75th IN THE UK - BUT WHO'S COUNTING? - The June world rankings table for brass bands, compiled by 4barsrest.com, shows Harrogate Band in the top 100 for the first time. At position 97 the band actually ranks 75th if you exclude some 22 overseas bands above us. The table is produced from results in contests throughout the year and, although clearly we have a little way to go to challenge the leaders, we are nonetheless delighted that this achievement can be added to those marking the Band's continuous progress.
<09/06/2004>
REHEARSALS FOR NATIONAL FINALS IN HARROGATE - This year the National Brass Band Championships for sections 1-4 will be held at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate on the weekend of 11-12 September 2004. The Harrogate Band will be assisting with the organisation of the event and also are offering their band room for competing bands to use for rehearsals. See the BOOKING page for details of the available dates/times. Any one wishing further information or wanting to book a rehearsal should contact Gavin Holman (gavin@ibew.co.uk).
<22/03/2004>
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! - In a reprise of our successful joint concert, Thank You for the Music, earlier this year – with a few programme changes, the Band and the Harrogate St Andrews Players raised over £2000 for the Harrogate Theatre Forward Appeal. The song and dance of the Players was equally matched by some deft and jazzy footwork by the band in some choreographed numbers such as Kongolea and Swing, Swing, Swing.
<19/05/2004>
THANK YOU FOR THE MONEY! -
We were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £1,140 to the Harrogate Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal. This was raised by the "Thank You for the Music" concert earlier this year in memory of Michael Hymas, President of both the Harrogate Band and the Harrogate St Andrews Players. Members of both groups joined Mary Hymas to present the cheque to the Appeal.
<4/05/2004>
HIGH PEAK HONOURS - A triumphant Band has returned from a gloriously sunny day's contesting in Buxton having beaten the competition to win the Championship Section. Not only that, but the trophy for the best soloist was awarded to Rachel Higginson, the Band's flugel player, for her exquisite solo work in our chosen test piece, Tallis Variations by Philip Sparke.
<2/05/2004>
TEWIT BAND WANT CONDUCTOR - The local youth band in Harrogate, Tewit Youth Band are looking for a new Musical Director. Malcolm Dibb, who has led the band for many years, is retiring from the position. Applicants must be committed and hard-working - someone who believes banding should be fun and enjoys working with young people. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings 7-9pm. Anyone interested please contact David Austin, TYB chairman, on 01423 866816.
<29/04/2004>
RACING AT WETHERBY - An unusually sunny and warm day provided an enjoyable backdrop to the Band's concert for the racegoers at Wetherby. It would have largely passed without note were it not for the unexpected launch into the air of an adjacent tethered inflatable "radio" which advertised a local station. This huge object suddenly lifted off the ground, broke its moorings and, after floating around the bandstand, went sailing off on the wind until it was caught a couple of hundred yards away. Only the Band's sheer professionalism allowed it to keep on playing at the same time as corpsing with laughter at what was happening around it!
<25/04/2004>
FLUGEL PLAYER WANTED - Owing to work relocation The Harrogate Band have a vacancy for a top class flugel player. This is a rare opportunity to join this highly committed and well-managed Championship Section band with an exciting year ahead. The next few months include high profile concerts in Harrogate Theatre, the Harrogate International Festival - with a world class soloist, a professional production of Brassed Off and a major concert in Ripon Cathedral featuring a world premiere performance. Since it would be possible to fill this position from within the current membership if necessary, we would also be interested to hear from a capable front row cornet player. Contact David Lancaster - e-mail: david_lancaster@ntlworld.com
<05/04/2004>
ROYAL HALL RESTORATION - PRINT OFFER - This is your chance to own a limited edition print of Harrogate's unique Royal Hall. Originally named the Kursaal when it was built, the Royal Hall needs urgent repairs to renovate it and allow it to re-open for concerts and shows as it has been doing for the last 100 years. The Harrogate Band held a concert in the Hall in 2001 to raise funds, and we are pleased to be able to support the artist Simon Balme in his contribution to the fund raising effort. For a larger image of the print and details of how to order a copy, please see the Royal Hall Print page.
<01/04/2004>
HALF A MILLION, AND ONWARD - These days, as the web has matured, counters and statistics of website usage are usually regarded as passé or of little relevance. However, we cannot let this particular milestone pass without briefly mentioning that this website for the Harrogate Band, incorporating the IBEW (Internet Bandsman's Everything Within) has since, its launch in June 1996, attracted over 500,000 visitors. To all those who have landed awhile on these pages - thank you and we hope you will return often!
<30/03/2004>
NORTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS - Our second year competing in this event in the Championship Section delivered a good sixth place, which also maintains our position in this section for 2005. The test piece, Tristan Encounters by Martin Ellerby is a set of variations on Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde and is a significant test for the band overall as well as individual players. The band has thoroughly enjoyed working with the music over the last few weeks and, despite slight disappointment at not getting a place or two higher, are pleased that the adjudicator thought one variation was "magical"! 4barsrest.com said: "Harrogate made a good impression in the prelude and opening variations. The solos were all nicely shaped and played well, although there was a risk of them being overpowered by some over-enthusiastic accompaniments – particularly on the back row cornet bench. This, we thought, was one of the steadiest readings of the day in terms of tempo, but it did allow the detail of the quick stuff to come through. For us though, there wasn't enough made of the quieter dynamics and this may have cost them a point or two." Brass Band World said: "... and finally to the [North of England] region's fashion guru David Lancaster and his Harrogate team. They will be disappointed with sixth, but you can't say they didn't put their heart and soul into it. They improve every year, are capable of holding their own in the highest company, and their time will come."
<22/03/2004>
THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! - The Harrogate Band and Harrogate St Andrews Players gave two concerts at the Majestic Hotel, dedicated to the memory of our late President, Michael Hymas, (hence the title: Thank You for the Music) and featured many of the pieces he enjoyed the most. The concerts also raised money for the Harrogate Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal. For full details of the programme and this tribute to Michael, see the Thank You for the Music! page.
<16/02/2004>
BRIDES IN THE BATH - The Harrogate Band has another TV role in this drama, starring Martin Kemp, about George Joseph Smith who married three wealthy women and then drowned them in their baths. Playing the part of an army band, and filmed at Ripley Castle earlier this year, the programme was broadcast on ITV1, on New Year's Eve. Click here for a selection of pictures from the filming at Ripley.
<11/12/2003>
NEW ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM - The Band now has an online discussion forum, open to all friends and supporters. You are invited to join the forum and contribute to topics being discussed, or start your own topics. Joining merely consists of providing a username and your email address, then the initial password will be sent to you. Any suggestions for the forum or comments about the Band and its activities are welcome. Even if you do not wish to join the forum, you can leave comments in the guest book provided. The forum can be found at harrogateband.proboards38.com.
BRASS IN THE CATHEDRAL - Our Gala Concert held in Ripon Cathedral was a great success. The Band, together with guests Ripon Grammar School Big Band, delighted the audience with performances ranging across the musical spectrum and included solos from Harrogate's Principal Cornet, Robert Illsley and Saxophonist Rachel from the Ripon Big Band. The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of MD David Lancaster's association with the Band. For further pictures and programme details of the concert click here.
CASTLE HOWARD BY FLOODLIGHT - One of our more unusual engagements took place at Castle Howard when we were asked to play for the departing guests at a private party. Arranged on the lawn in front of the main entrance, after we'd set up and had some refreshments, we awaited the end of the party. As with all such events the timing was somewhat awry and it was well past midnight when our fanfare trumpeters finally got the signal to lead the guests, in an impromptu triple canon, out onto the terrace to be greeted by the band's performance.
HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - Our concert for the Festival, with our guest David Childs, delighted the large audience who attended. 
David, of course, was superb with his rendition of Philip Wilby's Euphonium Concerto and various "showcase" items, and the programme of alternating British and Russian music was clearly enjoyed by all. We were also pleased to be able to help Joe Symonds with his Lands End to John O'Groats Euphonothon when he joined us to play Rule Britannia. Click here for a review of the concert
LES MACKOWN - Les Mackown, a founder member of the Harrogate Band in 1970, recently retired from his post as Band Librarian. A tenor horn player with the band as well as its Secretary for many years, Les was one of the bedrocks upon which the band relied and he was very influential in the development of the band in the first two decades of its existence. In recent years Les has taken a less prominent role, but has continued to give a great deal of support to the band. We are sorry that he has retired from active work with the band but were delighted, at the Band’s concert at the Wetherby Riverside Bandstand, to be able to present him with a few gifts and mementoes to mark his retirement and honour his support for the Band. 
BUPA HOSPITAL FETE - Mr Punch was on hand to keep the children amused with his band of helpers and many enthusiastic sideshows and games. Plus of course the main entertainment given by the Harrogate Band! Despite glowering skies, the odd light shower and a less than seasonal chill, a good time was had by all, and the band was even presented with a cake to take away at the end! 
HARROGATE LADIES COLLEGE CENTENARY - The Band was delighted to help Harrogate Ladies College celebrate its centenary in July. Together with the Harrogate Male Voice Choir a splendid joint concert was given in a large marquee in the grounds of the college. Fortified by a pre-concert "hog roast" the Band and Choir demonstrated the best of Harrogate music making to a large and appreciative audience. 
REHEARSALS FOR NATIONAL FINALS IN HARROGATE - This year the National Brass Band Championships for sections 1-4 will be held at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate on the weekend of 11-12 September 2004. The Harrogate Band will be assisting with the organisation of the event and also are offering their band room for competing bands to use for rehearsals. See the BOOKING page for details of the available dates/times. Any one wishing further information or wanting to book a rehearsal should contact Gavin Holman (gavin@ibew.co.uk).
THANK YOU FOR THE MONEY! -
We were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £1,140 to the Harrogate Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal. This was raised by the "Thank You for the Music" concert earlier this year in memory of Michael Hymas, President of both the Harrogate Band and the Harrogate St Andrews Players. Members of both groups joined Mary Hymas to present the cheque to the Appeal.
HIGH PEAK HONOURS - A triumphant Band has returned from a gloriously sunny day's contesting in Buxton having beaten the competition to win the Championship Section. Not only that, but the trophy for the best soloist was awarded to Rachel Higginson, the Band's flugel player, for her exquisite solo work in our chosen test piece, Tallis Variations by Philip Sparke.
RACING AT WETHERBY - An unusually sunny and warm day provided an enjoyable backdrop to the Band's concert for the racegoers at Wetherby. It would have largely passed without note were it not for the unexpected launch into the air of an adjacent tethered inflatable "radio" which advertised a local station. This huge object suddenly lifted off the ground, broke its moorings and, after floating around the bandstand, went sailing off on the wind until it was caught a couple of hundred yards away. Only the Band's sheer professionalism allowed it to keep on playing at the same time as corpsing with laughter at what was happening around it!
Originally named the Kursaal when it was built, the Royal Hall needs urgent repairs to renovate it and allow it to re-open for concerts and shows as it has been doing for the last 100 years. The Harrogate Band held a concert in the Hall in 2001 to raise funds, and we are pleased to be able to support the artist Simon Balme in his contribution to the fund raising effort. For a larger image of the print and details of how to order a copy, please see the Royal Hall Print page.
THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! - The Harrogate Band and Harrogate St Andrews Players gave two concerts at the Majestic Hotel, dedicated to the memory of our late President, Michael Hymas, (hence the title: Thank You for the Music) and featured many of the pieces he enjoyed the most. The concerts also raised money for the Harrogate Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal. For full details of the programme and this tribute to Michael, see the Thank You for the Music! page.
BRIDES IN THE BATH - The Harrogate Band has another TV role in this drama, starring Martin Kemp, about George Joseph Smith who married three wealthy women and then drowned them in their baths. Playing the part of an army band, and filmed at Ripley Castle earlier this year, the programme was broadcast on ITV1, on New Year's Eve. Click here for a selection of pictures from the filming at Ripley.