2019 Festival Concert
Lead by Musical Director Nicholas Garman
Forest Centre
Lewis Foundation Concert 2019
To whom it may concern regarding the arrangements made at Hitchin Band
Rehearsals: All rehearsals for Hitchin Band, Hitchin Community Brass and Hitchin Youth Band are cancelled until further notice
Engagements: Please see the list of engagements below which we are keeping up to date, as you can imagine, the events that were planned in the next couple of months have been cancelled or postponed.
Contact: Please feel free to continue to contact us, the contact details are in the contact section below.
Thank you for your continued support and we are looking forward to getting back to normal and proceeding with our concert programme.
Hitchin Band was formed in 1866, making it one of the oldest brass bands in the world.
We have three brass bands in our organisation:
- Hitchin Band
- Hitchin Community Brass
- Hitchin Youth Band
Hitchin band were promoted to the Championship Section of the London and Southern Counties Region from January 2019 having
come from the 3rd section just a few years ago.
We are a friendly Brass Band with an active concert and contesting schedule. We rehearse in Hitchin on Monday and Thursday evenings.
If you wish to contact us please get in touch with
Mike Thorn on 07789 184363.
Nicholas Garman Joined Hitchin Band as Musical Director in May 2019.
Below is a list of all the events that Hitchin Band are currently booked
Tickets can now bought online from https://hitchinband.yapsody.com
Hitchin Band Concert (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
St Mary's Church, Churchyard, Hitchin SG5 1DW
Unfortunately the Hitchin Festival has been cancelled, we are still hoping to play at St Mary's on this date, however, this is subject to cancellation due to the current Covid-19 directive from the government to stay at home.
7:30pm
Leighton Buzzard Concerts in the Park - Summer Band Concerts (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
Leighton Buzzard Bandstand
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Dunstable Bandstand (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
Bandstand Grove House Gardens Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire LU5 4GW
Come join Hitchin Band at the Dunstable Bandstand
2:30pm to 4:30pm
Charity Concert in aid of Leprosy Mission (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
St. Swithins Church, High Street, Sandy, SG19 1AQ
Tickets are available from Sandy Information Centre or by phoning the organiser Colin Osborne on 01767 682032.
7:30pm
The Snowman (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
St Marys Church Hitchin SG5 1DW
Three shows at 15:30, 16:45, 18:00 Advance booking essential
3:30pm to 7:00pm
Baldock Masons (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
Barrington Road Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 3TH
Small Band, Christmas Music
6:00pm
The Snowman (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
Harpenden Public Hall Southdown Rd Harpenden AL5 1TE
Tickets via http://www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk/events/the-snowman/
To be confirmed
Carols in the Market Place For Rotary Club (SUBJECT TO REVIEW)
Hitchin Band have been supporting this event for many years and it is always very well attended by the public who give generously to the Rotary Club charities. In 2014 we helped Rotary Club of Hitchin to raise nearly £1200 which will be used to give some deprived school children in Hitchin a day out to Whipsnade Zoo in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs in the county.
8:00pm
We are delighted to present Hitchin Band's CD. The CD was recorded to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the band. The CD is called "Because" after an arrangement of a song specially commissioned for Hitchin Band's Solo Horn player, Sarah Gibbons. The CD features a range of music that spans the years from 1866 up to date and shows off the talents of four of the band's soloists. It also includes an 8 page booklet with information and photographs about the history of the band.
The CD is available to buy for ten pounds at our events. Alternatively we can send one by post for an additional two pounds to cover P&P costs.
For more details, please contact the Secretary, Mike Thorn on Tel 07789 184363
or send an email to secretary@hitchinband.co.uk.
Track Listing from the CD
Florentiner March
Because - Tenor Horn Soloist: Sarah Gibbons
Clog Dance
In Perfect Peace
It Don't Mean a Thing
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - Trombone Soloist: Mike Thorn
Death or Glory
Cadillac of the Skies
How D'Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning?
Soliloquy - Cornet Soloist: Dinah Birch
Merry Go Round
Song Setting - Mid all the Traffic
Puttin' on the Ritz
Concerto de Aranjuez - Flugel Horn Soloist: Alice Bailey
Light Cavalry Overture
Why do we need a brass band in Hitchin in the 21st Century?
All this from a group of 'amateurs' who, with support from family and friends who willingly give up there time and resources
to perpetuate the sound of the traditional brass band in Great Britain
Read all about the history of the band in an article by Mike Thorn: The Origins of Hitchin Brass Band (March 2016)
Hitchin Band require a horn player, 2nd or 3rd and also top quality percussion players to join our band.
Please contact bandmaster Dinah Birch for more information - 07941972894 or dinahb64@googlemail.com
Rehearsal
We are a friendly and sociable band with a busy and varied concert programme throughout the year.
We rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:45pm to 9:45pm at Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way, Hitchin.
We undertake a variety of concerts, contests and performances throughout the year some serious and some for fun!
Are you interested or want further information? If so, contact us through our band secretary.
Email: secretary@hitchinband.co.uk
or Call Mike Thorn on Tel 07789 184363
President
Richard Whitmore
Vice Presidents
Mr Eric Wythe C Eng MICE
Mr Jack Smith
Mr Jack Barker
Mr Duncan Henderson
Mr Gary Carney
Musical Director
Nicholas Garman
Solo Cornets
Dinah Birch
James Barker
Hannah Landsman
Andrew Philpot
Lucy Want
Soprano Cornet
Dave Quinlan
Repiano Cornet
Peter Moye
2nd Cornet
Andrew Grady
Adam Illott
3rd Cornet
Bob Berwick
Charlotte Moye
Flugel Horn
Sarah Findon
Horns
Sarah Gibbons
Vacancy
Sam Huckle
1st Baritone
Allan Hooker
2nd Baritone
Trina Pittwood
Euphoniums
Keith Birch
Robert Moye
Trombones
Mike Thorn
Owen Bywaters
Andeep Birring
Eb Basses
James Hill
Ian Miles
Bb Basses
Rob Bush
Chris Ankers
Percussion
Vacancies
Below are a few random thumbnails, for the full gallery please click the folliwing link
Click for the Gallery
Hitchin Youth Band began in 2009 and is now firmly established, providing weekly rehearsals and regular public
performance opportunities for young brass players. We also enjoy social events such as bowling. We welcome
any young brass player from beginner upwards and have a team of volunteers on hand to give guidance at rehearsals.
We also have a selection of instruments available to lend out. Hitchin Youth Band aims to encourage young brass
players of any age; developing brass band ensemble skills and a love of music-making. We have two annual awards
which are presented to members who demonstrate particular progress and commitment.
Rehearsals are held each Monday (excluding bank holidays), 6.30-7.30pm at Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way,
Hitchin SG5 1XL. There is a charge of one pound per rehearsal. Please get in touch if you are interested in coming along.
We are always happy to see newcomers!
Please use the contact numbers below to get in touch
Hitchin Community Brass had their first rehearsal in February2017. The idea was to offer a playing opportunity for brass
players who no longer play with a regular band or are still learning and would like to gain some ensemble experience.
Initially rehearsals were on the second Wednesday of the month with the band being taken by Hannah Landsman. At the first
rehearsal there were more than 20 players in attendance with varying degrees of ability, some of whom had not played for
more than 20 years and rehearsals still attract an average of 20 or more players.
Now at the beginning of it’s 2nd year rehearsals have been increased to twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s of
the month between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at the bandroom at Hitchin Rugby Club, Old Hale Way, Hitchin. New players
( particularly cornets / trumpets ) are always welcome regardless of ability. We would love to see players from the Beds,
Bucks & Herts areas. There is no age limit so whether you are a bit rusty, young or old, all are welcome. There will be an
opportunity to pick music you would like to play from the extensive music library of Hitchin Band.
A small donation
of £1.50 per session would be welcome.
For more information or to register an interest please contact us using the contact details below
We are here if you need to talk!
This is the entrance to the Hitchin Band Members Area
Click here to enter the Members Area!
Please click the link to access the friends of Hicthin band page
Friends of Hicthin Band