Hitchin Band
2023 1st Section London and Southern Counties Area Champions
Swing and Big Band Concert
Saturday 17th September 2022 - Hitchin Town Hall
Forest Centre
Lewis Foundation Concert 2019
Tickets for our performances of Howard Blakes' The Snowman in December now available!
Come along and enjoy the famous animated film with live music performed by The Hitchin Band and guest vocalists.
See below for Venues and Dates
For tickets - online booking available on Yapsody
Tickets for our Christmas Concert, featuring Hitchin Band, Hitchin Youth Band, and Hitchin Community Brass are now available!
Come along and enjoy live festive music performed by all three bands!.
For tickets - online booking available on Yapsody
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 Brass Band
Hitchin band are in the first Section (as of January 2023) of the London and Southern Counties Region.
We are a friendly Brass Band with an active concert and contesting schedule. We rehearse in Hitchin on Thursday evenings.
If you wish to contact us please get in touch with
Allan Hooker on 07947 007764.
Andrew studied tuba at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music. He is a freelance musician, having
Played for many of the country’s top orchestras and on the West End. Andrew is the founder member of Queen Victoria’s
Consort who perform Victorian repertoire on period brass instruments. He also enjoys the lighter side of music performance
having toured the UK and USA with pop legends Elton John and The Who. Along with playing engagements Andrew has conducted
Brass Bands for many years, including Waterbeach, Horsham and Bedford Bands. Andrew also teaches the tuba at Cambridge
University (where he is a Visiting Fellow) and Brunel University.
Below is a list of all the events that Hitchin Band are currently booked
Tickets can now bought online from https://hitchinband.yapsody.com
Performances at St Mary's Church, Hitchin at the following times:
3:30 pm (Doors open at 3:00pm)
4:45 pm (Doors open at 4:15pm)
6:00 pm (Doors open at 5:30pm)
Performances will last around 30 minutes
Tickets now on sale on Yapsody
3:30pm
The Snowman, Broadway Cinema, Letchworth
BROADWAY CINEMA & THEATRE
Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3DD
Broadway Cinema, Letchworth
Enjoy a special screening of the timeless classic animated film, the Snowman featuring a live performance of Howard Blake’s musical score specially adapted for brass band and performed for you by the Hitchin Band. A perfect opportunity to enjoy a festive family friendly morning of music and film.
10:00am
The Snowman, Quarry Theatre, Bedford
Tickets now on sale on from the Quarry Theatre
10:30am
Joint Christmas Concert
Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin SG5 1HF.
Tickets available on the door.
7:00pm to 9:30pm
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, Allan Hooker on Tel 07947 007764
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)
We have no vacancies at present.
We are a friendly and sociable band with a busy and varied concert programme throughout the year.
We rehearse on Thursdays from 7:45pm to 9:45pm at Holwell Village Hall.
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 Allan Hooker on Tel 07947 007764
President
Richard Whitmore
Vice Presidents
Mr Eric Wythe C Eng MICE
Mr Duncan Henderson
Mr Gary Carney
Musical Director
Andrew Kershaw
Solo Cornets
Dinah Birch
Hannah Landsman
Richard Downs
Becky Lund
Soprano Cornet
David Quinlan
Repiano Cornet
Peter Moye
2nd Cornet
Andrew Grady
Adam Illott
3rd Cornet
Bob Berwick
Jess Drakes
Flugel Horn
Sarah Findon
Horns
Sarah Gibbons
Alice Bailey
Alison Chadwick
1st Baritone
Allan Hooker
2nd Baritone
Trina Pittwood
Euphoniums
Aqua Moye
Keith Birch
Trombones
Paul Findlay
John Kendrick
Andeep Birring
Eb Basses
James Hill
Ian Miles
Bb Basses
Rob Bush
Chris Ankers
Percussion
Vacancy
Below are a few random thumbnails, for the full gallery please click the folliwing link
Click for the Gallery
Hitchin Youth Brass 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 Brass 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 in term time (excluding Bank Holidays). 6.30pm-7.30pm at Oughton Primary School, Mattocke Road, Hitchin, SG5 2NZ.
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!
To get in touch, please contact Ian Miles on 07870 597313 or email youthband@hitchinband.co.uk
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 three pounds per session would be welcome.
For more information or to register an interest please contact us using the contact details below
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 Hitchin band page
Friends of Hitchin Band
Registered Charity 1188221
The object of the CIO is the advancement of the art of music, in particular brass band music, in Hitchin and the surrounding area, for the public benefit by:
(a) Offering training and coaching to musicians of all ages to enable them to play to a standard ready for public performance and to develop their musical abilities;
(b) Performing public concerts of varied and informative programmes;
(c) Collaborating with other groups and individuals to enhance the offering to audiences.
For more details, about the band charitable status Click here
