TROMBONE VACANCY - It is not often that the The Harrogate Band has a vacancy to fill since we enjoy a relatively stable membership compared to many bands at present. However long-term member Steve Whitwam has decided to take a break from playing in order to concentrate on gaining professional qualifications so we find ourselves on the lookout for a trombonist to take his place. Anyone interested in joining the band in this capacity should contact Musical Director David Lancaster or Chairman Steve Morland (contact details below) to arrange a date to attend a rehearsal. Be assured of a warm welcome and a great musical and social experience!
<31/12/2005>
CONGRATULATIONS! - to percussionist Iain Wilson who tied the knot with his fiancé Jill on 30th December in the village of Greta Bridge near to Barnard Castle. The band was delighted to play during the service – and to party until late in the evening! Guests at the wedding included players from some of Iain's former bands, notably from Spennymoor Town Band, and all seemed to enjoy our contribution: La Rejouissance for the entry of the bride, Irish Tune from County Derry and Fauré's Pavane for the signing of the register and Sparkling Diamonds after the ceremony. The band send all best wishes to Iain and Jill, currently on honeymoon in the far east.
<31/12/2005>
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS - The Harrogate Band was even more busy than usual in the weeks before Christmas with no fewer than three major concerts all of which were new venues for the band and all well attended by large and enthusiastic audiences. First stop was Pateley Bridge where David Smith moved up to principal cornet to deputise for Robert Illsley – he gave a fine performance in the top chair including a stylish solo Love on the Rocks. The audience was treated to a big band selection featuring music from our new 'Swing!' CD and some appropriate seasonal music including David Lancaster's arrangement of the Sans Day Carol and Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival. Next stop was the Mart Theatre in Skipton – the band's first performance in Skipton for over ten years and hopefully not the last. The venue is totally unique – by day it serves as a busy cattle market but in the evening it can become a cosy concert venue which has already attracted a number of star performers in its first season. Soloists included Robert Illsley (cornet), Lynne Stockdale (flugel) and Adrian Lowes who gave a sparking performance of James Curnow's Rhapsody for Euphonium. The final concert was closer to home: St Mark's Church in Harrogate is a fine concert venue and we shared the evening with our good friends the Tewit Youth Band who performed the first half of the programme. Harrogate's contribution included Saint-Seans' exciting Bacchanale, Duke Ellington's Caravan and a fully costumed performance of Kenneth Alford's The Two Imps featuring duettists Steve Morland and Andrew Whitaker on xylophone. Both bands were greeted by rapturous response from the audience and the evening ended our Christmas season on a high note. The Band has won many new admirers all around the region over the past few weeks and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to return to Pateley Bridge and Skipton in the near future.
<27/12/2005>
WHIT FRIDAY CD - As previously reported, The Harrogate Band made it's first visit to the Whit Friday march contests in Lancashire earlier this year and came back with more than just a trophy: all the performances at Delph Contest were recorded and have been issued on a new CD on the Doyen label, and of course Harrogate's performance of William Rimmer's march Arabian has been included. The recording also features performances from such famous bands as Black Dyke, Fodens, Besses o' th' Barn and YBS, and it goes a long way to capture the unique atmosphere of Whit Friday. Copies are available from good record shops or from www.4barsrest.com
<20/10/2005>
BAR LINES - Keith Graham, the most accomplished, experienced and respected First Baritone player in the Band, has collected together a few musings from his ale-enriched colleagues. The results can be seen here in "Bar Lines".
<18/10/2005>
LIGHTING UP THE TOWN - The Harrogate Band certainly provided a memorable evening for the audience which filled St John's Church, Bilton, recently. The concert had been organised by the ladies of Harrogate Soroptomists in order to raise money to pay for the town's Christmas lights. The Band began with the rousing O Fortuna from Carmina Burana and included in their programme a wide range of music, from Londonderry Air to a new arrangement of the march from Things to Come by Sir Arthur Bliss. The Band featured a number of soloists too, notably Adrian Lowes who dazzled the audience with his rendition of Rhapsody for Euphonium by James Curnow, and Jo Campbell whose brilliant playing of Queen of the Night's Aria from The Magic Flute anticipated the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth next year. The first half ended with a musical magic carpet ride which explored the exotic sounds of the middle east, including Duke Ellington's Caravan, The Sheik of Araby (featuring principal cornet player Robert Illsley), The Wedding by Abdullah Ibrahim (with Lynne Stockdale on flugel) and to end the first half: Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah by Saint-Saens.
In the second half the band accompanied guest soloist Laura Jackson, whose lovely voice was hear in three contrasting songs: Over the Rainbow, Somewhere from West Side Story and Rusalka's Song to the Moon by Dvorak. The second half also included a selection of music from the band's recently recorded 'Swing' CD and concert ended with the lively Can-Can. The warm reaction from the appreciative audience drew an expected encore from the band: Sing, Sing, Sing which not only featured the band's percussion section but also some stylish (?) dancing from the cornets!
So a good night was had by all, and the Band and audience can feel that that they've made a valuable contribution to the Christmas Lights appeal.
<15/10/2005>
GETTING INTO THE SWING - Following on from the Variety Show on the Friday evening, the remainder of the weekend was devoted to recording the Band's forthcoming CD. Following on from the success of "Made in Harrogate", their new recording sees the band turn to a Big Band style, including a wide range of Swing and Jazz numbers, including some arrangements never previously recorded. The CD is scheduled for release in time for Christmas.
<12/9/2005>
VARIETY SHOW - The Band had a busy weekend recently, starting with an appearance in "The Tom O'Connor Variety Show". This Spectacular variety show took place in Harrogate's International Centre, and saw the band sharing billing with Shahid Malik, Andy Eastwood, and the SLP Showstoppers along with the star of the show, Tom O'Connor. The one-night only event was arranged in aid of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust which is working towards restoring Harrogate's magnificent Royal Hall which has faithfully served the people of Harrogate and the surrounding district in many different roles over 100 years, but is currently closed and in need of considerable restoration. The Royal Hall, known originally known as The Kursaal, dates from a time when Harrogate was a popular spa resort with its own professional orchestras and bands, so it seems natural that one of Harrogate's leading groups took part in this event. In fact the Band was one of the last performers in the Royal Hall prior to its closure, in a special concert to raise funds for the appeal.
<12/9/2005>
HORN VACANCY - North Yorkshire's Championship Section band has a vacancy for a capable 1st horn player. This is a rare opportunity for a reliable, committed and ambitious player to join a friendly and dedicated band who enjoy their playing at a high level. The band has a full calendar of events, including Wilkinsons and Yeovil contests, lots of good concerts and a CD recording. Our enthusiastic team enjoys full rehearsals, excellent facilities and a wide range of quality music. Please contact MD David Lancaster 01423 522643 or email david_lancaster@ntlworld.com
<4/8/2005>
A PIECE OF HISTORY - The Band has recently been given an early photograph of one of the original Harrogate Bands. Thought to be that of Harrogate Temperance Prize Band from around the 1890s, not long after that band was formed. The picture shows the full band outside a large tent - possibly at one of the various shows or galas at the time. Anyone with any further information about this picture, or with any similar material from local bands of earlier days is requested to contact Gavin Holman
<12/7/2005>
BIG MEETING - The Band took part in the Durham Miners' Gala – the "Big Meeting" – where around 40 bands from the north-east parade through Durham City heading the various miners' organisations and their banners. After a very early start from Harrogate and refreshed on arrival at Trimdon Grange with bacon sandwiches, the band marched through the villages of Trimdon Grange and Kelloe before tackling the long march through Durham itself. En route the band entertained the dignitaries on the balcony of the County Hotel with a rousing performance of Sing, Sing, Sing before marching off to the Racecourse meeting field to enjoy a rest in the sunshine. Later in the afternoon the process was followed in reverse, leaving the band extremely tired, hot and bothered, but having thoroughly enjoyed a unique occasion. For a superb set of photographs of the event, featuring the Harrogate Band, see Grange Photography.
<10/7/2005>
BRASS BAND PODCAST - The Harrogate Band features in the latest (5th June) "podcast" of brass band music. This is a 20 minute weekly broadcast of music and news in MP3 format available on the internet. The podcasts have been live since February, and well known bands from around the world have been featured each week. Links: Harrogate Band Podcast, Brass Band Podcast home, Brass Band Podcast upcoming.
<5/6/2005>
WHIT FRIDAY - Each year on Whit Friday bands from all around the UK (and sometimes further afield) travel to the Saddleworth and Tameside districts around Oldham to take part in the much celebrated Whit Friday 'Quickstep' march contests. The bands travel by coach from one village to the next and upon arrival at each location march a short distance to the arena then play a contest march to the assembled crowd before rushing back to the coach and on to the next village…and so on. Brass Bands of all grades take part, from the very best championship bands (Black Dyke, Fodens and YBS were all taking part this year) to the youngest school band, but it is more like a festival than a seriously competitive event and the atmosphere is like nothing else on earth! The Harrogate Band attended for the first time this year, playing William Rimmer's strangely neglected march Arabian. We received many favourable comments for our six performances and were delighted to win third prize at Dobcross, (just behind winners Brighouse and Rastrick and second place Dobcross Silver) and to finish in the top ten at Scouthead and Uppermill contests - not a bad debut at all!
For photos of the Band at Whit Friday see: brassbandphotos.com (Dobcross), brassbandphotos.com (Uppermill), and the three pictures Denshaw 1, Denshaw 2, and Denshaw 3
<23/5/2005>
BUXTON TO BLACKPOOL - The band was delighted to receive an invitation to compete in the Spring Festival at Blackpool this year for the first time: this contest was regarded by the band as the next step in our progress in the Championship Section. From an early draw (playing immediately after the eventual winners, Alliance Brass from London), the band gave a confident and well-shaped performance of Gregson's Connotations, with good playing from all the soloists. We were rewarded with 9th place out of 20 bands, therefore in the top half of the results and well clear of the dreaded 'relegation zone'! The band clearly enjoyed the day out in Blackpool and look forward to a return visit next year by which time we hope to ready to challenge for the top prizes.
A week earlier the Harrogate Band travelled to Buxton to defend our title of High Peak champions won in 2004. This year we had to make do with fourth place but gained some valuable experience performing Connotations in preparation for Blackpool.
<15/5/2005>
AWARD FOR MARIMBA - We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant through the Awards for All scheme. The money is to be used to purchase a marimba for the band's percussion section and to commission a new piece of music for marimba and band which will receive its first performance at a concert in Ripon Cathedral next spring. Musical Director David Lancaster is in negotiation with several composers regarding the project and the rest of the band is wondering how to extend the bandroom in order to accommodate the marimba! Thanks must be extended to the band's treasurer Ian Bristow who wrote and submitted the application on the band's behalf.
<10/4/2005>
NORTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS - The Band are delighted with their 5th place gained in the Championship Section of the North of England Championships in Darlington - just two places away from qualifying for the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall. Wagner's Overture to Rienzi was an excellent test piece which demanded great stamina from the bands.
<28/2/2005>
BLACKPOOL HERE WE COME! - After two or three years 'waiting in the wings' we are pleased to announce that The Harrogate Band has been invited to compete in the Senior Trophy section at this year's Spring Festival, held each year in the Winter Gardens at Blackpool. It is a very exciting contest attended by Championship section bands from all around the UK and competition is fierce! The test piece for this year's event is Connotations by Edward Gregson, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music and a composer of some of the finest band music of the last few decades. According to MD David Lancaster "it is a challenging piece which the band will really enjoy rehearsing". The contest will take place on Saturday May 7th.
<18/2/2005>
SOMERSET WEEKEND - The Yeovil Entertainments Contest is traditionally the first event in the year's contest calendar and many of the top bands are invited to take part. This year The Harrogate Band were invited to compete, another sure sign of the Band's growing reputation and national stature, and in spite of the long distances involved we did not hesitate in accepting the invitation. Each band presented a 25-minute programme of music and ours was: Africa! (D. Lancaster), Hello Dolly (cornet solo), Orient Express (P. Sparke), Swedish Folk Song (arr. P. Graham) and Halleluiah Parade (K. Norbury). Particularly impressive were the flamboyant percussion playing in Africa! and Robert Illsley's fine impression of Louis Armstrong in Hello Dolly. Adjudicator Colin Hardy praised the band for its "solid performance with much to commend" and Harrogate members were generally satisfied with the 9th place: quite an achievement amongst such impressive competition and enough to qualify for a return invitation next year! Naturally Band members took full advantage of a weekend away and a good time was had by all!
<7/2/2005>
JIM SHEPHERD SIGNS UP - Rehearsals for this year's North of England Regional Championship have been significantly enhanced by the arrival of Jim Shepherd into Harrogate's cornet section. A 'legend' amongst cornet players, Jim was for many years the principal cornet player of the Black Dyke Mills Band before forming his own Jim Shepherd Versatile Brass ensemble. Oddly enough the test piece for this contest is the overture to Wagner's opera Rienzi which was Jim's first contest piece with Black Dyke way back in 1962! Band and conductor are enjoying working alongside Jim and benefiting from his experience and encouragement.
<4/2/2005>
TROMBONE VACANCY - It is not often that the The Harrogate Band has a vacancy to fill since we enjoy a relatively stable membership compared to many bands at present. However long-term member Steve Whitwam has decided to take a break from playing in order to concentrate on gaining professional qualifications so we find ourselves on the lookout for a trombonist to take his place. Anyone interested in joining the band in this capacity should contact Musical Director David Lancaster or Chairman Steve Morland (contact details below) to arrange a date to attend a rehearsal. Be assured of a warm welcome and a great musical and social experience! 
CONGRATULATIONS! - to percussionist Iain Wilson who tied the knot with his fiancé Jill on 30th December in the village of Greta Bridge near to Barnard Castle. The band was delighted to play during the service – and to party until late in the evening! Guests at the wedding included players from some of Iain's former bands, notably from Spennymoor Town Band, and all seemed to enjoy our contribution: La Rejouissance for the entry of the bride, Irish Tune from County Derry and Fauré's Pavane for the signing of the register and Sparkling Diamonds after the ceremony. The band send all best wishes to Iain and Jill, currently on honeymoon in the far east.
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS - The Harrogate Band was even more busy than usual in the weeks before Christmas with no fewer than three major concerts all of which were new venues for the band and all well attended by large and enthusiastic audiences. First stop was Pateley Bridge where David Smith moved up to principal cornet to deputise for Robert Illsley – he gave a fine performance in the top chair including a stylish solo Love on the Rocks. The audience was treated to a big band selection featuring music from our new 'Swing!' CD and some appropriate seasonal music including David Lancaster's arrangement of the Sans Day Carol and Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival. Next stop was the Mart Theatre in Skipton – the band's first performance in Skipton for over ten years and hopefully not the last. The venue is totally unique – by day it serves as a busy cattle market but in the evening it can become a cosy concert venue which has already attracted a number of star performers in its first season. Soloists included Robert Illsley (cornet), Lynne Stockdale (flugel) and Adrian Lowes who gave a sparking performance of James Curnow's Rhapsody for Euphonium. The final concert was closer to home: St Mark's Church in Harrogate is a fine concert venue and we shared the evening with our good friends the Tewit Youth Band who performed the first half of the programme. Harrogate's contribution included Saint-Seans' exciting Bacchanale, Duke Ellington's Caravan and a fully costumed performance of Kenneth Alford's The Two Imps featuring duettists Steve Morland and Andrew Whitaker on xylophone. Both bands were greeted by rapturous response from the audience and the evening ended our Christmas season on a high note. The Band has won many new admirers all around the region over the past few weeks and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to return to Pateley Bridge and Skipton in the near future. 
VARIETY SHOW - The Band had a busy weekend recently, starting with an appearance in "The Tom O'Connor Variety Show". This Spectacular variety show took place in Harrogate's International Centre, and saw the band sharing billing with Shahid Malik, Andy Eastwood, and the SLP Showstoppers along with the star of the show, Tom O'Connor. The one-night only event was arranged in aid of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust which is working towards restoring Harrogate's magnificent Royal Hall which has faithfully served the people of Harrogate and the surrounding district in many different roles over 100 years, but is currently closed and in need of considerable restoration. The Royal Hall, known originally known as The Kursaal, dates from a time when Harrogate was a popular spa resort with its own professional orchestras and bands, so it seems natural that one of Harrogate's leading groups took part in this event. In fact the Band was one of the last performers in the Royal Hall prior to its closure, in a special concert to raise funds for the appeal.
BIG MEETING - The Band took part in the Durham Miners' Gala – the "Big Meeting" – where around 40 bands from the north-east parade through Durham City heading the various miners' organisations and their banners. After a very early start from Harrogate and refreshed on arrival at Trimdon Grange with bacon sandwiches, the band marched through the villages of Trimdon Grange and Kelloe before tackling the long march through Durham itself. En route the band entertained the dignitaries on the balcony of the County Hotel with a rousing performance of Sing, Sing, Sing before marching off to the Racecourse meeting field to enjoy a rest in the sunshine. Later in the afternoon the process was followed in reverse, leaving the band extremely tired, hot and bothered, but having thoroughly enjoyed a unique occasion. For a superb set of photographs of the event, featuring the Harrogate Band, see Grange Photography.
AWARD FOR MARIMBA - We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant through the Awards for All scheme. The money is to be used to purchase a marimba for the band's percussion section and to commission a new piece of music for marimba and band which will receive its first performance at a concert in Ripon Cathedral next spring. Musical Director David Lancaster is in negotiation with several composers regarding the project and the rest of the band is wondering how to extend the bandroom in order to accommodate the marimba! Thanks must be extended to the band's treasurer Ian Bristow who wrote and submitted the application on the band's behalf.
JIM SHEPHERD SIGNS UP - Rehearsals for this year's North of England Regional Championship have been significantly enhanced by the arrival of Jim Shepherd into Harrogate's cornet section. A 'legend' amongst cornet players, Jim was for many years the principal cornet player of the Black Dyke Mills Band before forming his own Jim Shepherd Versatile Brass ensemble. Oddly enough the test piece for this contest is the overture to Wagner's opera Rienzi which was Jim's first contest piece with Black Dyke way back in 1962! Band and conductor are enjoying working alongside Jim and benefiting from his experience and encouragement.