Haslemere Town Band

May 2020

At the time of writing we are in the middle of the lock-down due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The band have not rehearsed at Beacon Hill since March 11th, nine weeks ago. Players are keeping in touch through emails and WhatsApp.

In January David announced that he had appointed Ann Roe as Principal Cornet with the band and she took up the role immediately. We are all very pleased that Ann has joined us in this position and has made HTB her main priority, it will give us the stability on the front bench that has been lacking for so long.

The cornet section have recently had more additions to their ranks. Ann's husband Jon has joined on back row cornet and we also welcome Phill Gaillard and Christopher Tibbs. Chris was in the band as a youngster many years ago learning to play the tenor trombone and is now playing the cornet. Another cornet player to join the band is Barry Hatton. Barry is splitting his wednesday evenings between us and his choir practice.
We are all looking forward to the day when we can start rehearsals again. It has been a frustrating break for the band and especially for David Wright who had made many plans for the engagements which were cancelled this year.

December 2019

We have a few more carolling engagements left then we take a break until the new year.
Hopefully our appearance at the Haslemere Christmas Market attracted several new players for the band including one ex player who left many years ago.

July 2019

The Band is having a summer-time break.
No rehearsals on July 31st and August 7th.

April 2019

The Haslemere Town Band have only eleven playing members now and we are fortunate that several players from Farnham Band come along to our rehearsals on Wednesday evenings so that we don't need to get out the Ten-Piece music. However HTB will not be able to take on the usual programme of summer engagements we have done in the past.

We have however committed to performing as part of the Haslemere Festival and give an evening concert to open the Festival. Our friends have rallied round to help us and we will be fielding a full complement of players. The concert is in the Haslemere Methodist Church Wey Hill, on Saturday May 11th starting at 7.30pm. We fully intend that this will provide a fitting opening to the Festival.

January 2019

The first rehearsal of 2019 is on Wednesday 16th January.
We are hopeful that the Band will attract more players during the year, if you or anyone you know is a brass player you will be welcomed to attend a rehearsal at any time. Players of every level of skill are needed to increase our numbers.

July 2018

We are now taking a summer break and the next rehearsal will be on Wednesday 29th August.

Many thanks to our friends from Farnham Band who have swelled the numbers at rehearsals recently so that we could continue using normal brass band arrangements with a reasonable spread of instruments.

May 2018

We are sorry to report that the two engagements mentioned in the February news have had to be cancelled.

At the beginning of May the band attended the Haslemere Charter Fair and played for two hours in the High Street. This was only possible with the help of seven friends from other bands and we are very grateful to them. However we cannot depend on outside help for Albury and Shannon Court, the other bands have their own summer engagement schedule.

The band's only firm engagement for the rest of 2018 is the concert in Godalming Bandstand in the afternoon of Sunday June 17th. This is a joint concert with Godalming Band and Godalming operatic society.
The AGM of Haslemere Town Band will be on Wednesday, June 6th at 7.30pm in the bandroom.

February 2018

We are gradually building up the engagements for this year, two of the regulars are Shannon Court and Albury. This year the Haslemere Charter Fair is to be held on the May Bank holiday and we will be playing in the High Street in front of the Georgian Hotel.

We are having another attempt this year to attract some more players, we need cornets particularly both accomplished players and beginners. If you, the reader, once played a brass instrument at school, no matter how long ago, we would like to see you.

November 2017

Since we have now lost the three beginners for various reasons there is no early session, the rehearsal for main band starts at 7.45pm

July 2017

Rehearsal night for the band is now Wednesday evenings.

Beginners and open rehearsal is at 7.00pm.

Main band rehearsal starts at 7.45.

The venue remains the same, United Reformed Church, Beacon Hill.

The response to our recruitment drive is encouraging. Three new players are progressing through Preliminary Band Book and are being introduced to the animals of Zoo Ball. They also stay to the first half of the main band rehearsal.

February 2017

Rehearsal night for the band has been changed to Wednesday evenings.

The time and venue remains the same, 7.45pm at the United Reformed Church Beacon Hill.
We have begun a recruitment drive for new players and anyone who is interested in playing a brass instrument and lapsed players who would like to like to re-kindle their interest are welcome to come along. We have an open rehearsal in the bandroom on the last Wednesday of each month at 6.30pm. Instruments are available for new players.

November 2016

This has not been a good year for the band with regard to number of players.

We have been existing since Steve left by relying on Norman Smith as our Principal and only front row cornet when he is not committed to one of his other bands. We are also without Tenor trombone players.

A recruitment. drive has been started with flyers (see website Home page) being distributed inside local papers with an invitation for anyone interested to come along to an open rehearsal and try out their skill on a brass instrument. These will take place in the bandroom on the last Thursday of each month beginning in November (but omitting December 29th) and continuing in 2017.

March 2016

Steve Hubbard has informed the band of his resignation as a member of the band with immediate effect.
As Steve was our Principal Cornet and we had no Tutti Cornets, the front row of the Cornet section is now empty.

June 25th 2015

At the Thursday rehearsal Steve Hubbard, Chairman of Haslemere Town Band announced the appointment of David Wright as Musical Director. The Committee and players wish David a long and fulfilling future with the band.

June 2015

Mark McLauchlin's resignation was accepted with immediate effect at the AGM. The Band are now without a Musical Director, Maurice has been conducting until now and Eric Foster will be taking the Band over the Summer rehearsals and at the engagements.

April 2015

Mark McLauchlin has informed the committee of his resignation as Musical Director.

Mark's last engagement with the band will be Sounding Brass in October.

May 21st 2015 AGM

The Band AGM will take place on Thursday May 21st at 7.30pm.

The meeting will be held first and then hopefully we will be able to have a short rehearsal.
Please get involved in the running of the band and put your name forward to be a committee member.

Sounding Brass 2014.

Friday 28^th. November was the day. Haslemere Town Band performed their first annual 'Sounding Brass' under the baton of their new Musical Director, Mark McLauchlin and a full band, arrayed in their royal blue and silver uniforms were ready for the baton to fall. The Church of St Christopher, at Weyhill, Haslemere, was full of eager listeners including the Mayor of Waverley and the Mayor of Haslemere with their consorts. Tony Waddell, our Band President and many friends of the Band were there.

The programme was made up of film themes and tunes from stage musicals. The first piece was the lively march 'Colonel Bogey,' which was used in the film 'Bridge On The River Kwai.' and 'Breezing Down Broadway' followed. It was fun to pick out all the different tunes. Steve Hubbard, our solo cornet player played 'The Rose' featured in the Bette Midler film and Bryony Dyer, our solo horn player performed a lovely theme from 'Titanic' 'My Heart Will Go On' . The last piece was a selection from 'Wicked', the West End show which continues the story of 'The Wizard of Oz' and music which Mark informed the audience was 'challenging' for the Band to learn. It was, but I think we did it justice in the end.

Band members extend heart-felt thanks to the kind players from other Bands who came to help us out and again send an S.O.S to new players to come along and join us.

I have read some lovely comments on Facebook and as not everyone is a Facebook addict I have repeated them here. June Wright.

Nick Beare said the band put in a fantastic performance tonight at St Christophers' church. "We are lucky enough to have a very talented and determined Musical Director, Mark McLauchlin. We received a rousing standing ovation by our Audience. Those who couldn't make it, very bad luck, you missed a real treat!"

Mark said he was very proud and happy. "Haslemere Town Band really pulled it out of the bag tonight and I couldn't be happier!!! Thanks to all who came along to help out and those who came to support us. Onwards and upwards."

Bryan Herman, "Fantastic reception from the audience and every person I spoke to, including the Mayoress's husband, thoroughly enjoyed it."

Bryony Dyer. "I can't quite remember a HTB concert quite like it! Well done matey! Couldn't have done it without your hard work and determination ..... Looking forward to more Scottish motivation."

Grahame Robinson. "My good lady, who does not like brass band music but comes to concerts as my roadie,( and very grateful I am too.) stated that we sounded crisp and the best she has ever heard us play ..this is praise indeed. Very well done Mark ."

Lee Woodward. "Back after a very enjoyable evening listening to Haslemere Town band. Well done all, especially Mark McLauchlin!"

June Wright. "Mark McLaughlin is the best thing since sliced haggis."

June 5th 2014 AGM

Don't forget that the AGM will take place on Thursday at 7.30pm.