Hemel Hempstead Band recently reached the fourth place at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham.
On Sunday, September 19, the band put in a rousing performance of test piece ‘An Elgar Portrait’ to wow the adjudicators with their musicality and bravado.
Due to the pandemic the band were unable to meet, rehearse or perform together in person until May this year, which makes the win even more impressive.
The intrepid musicians met twice a week under the baton of musical director, Mr Paul Fothergill.
Their dedication and optimism paid off at the weekend.
Mr Fothergill said: “We were honoured to be chosen to select the south east of England to play at the National Finals this year. And we had a wonderful weekend in Cheltenham.
“It’s been a bleak few months but playing together and achieving this fantastic result has put a real smile on our faces.”
Of the twenty-eight brass players and percussionists who played at the contest, seven were under eighteen.
Band president Peter Davis started playing in the band aged 14, now a youthful 89, he has an extraordinary 75 years of brass playing under his belt.
Peter represented them on baritone horn in Cheltenham. He said: “It’s wonderful to see all these youngsters coming through from our training band.
“The future of the band is bright. This result has really put Hemel Hempstead on the map.”
Wonderful. A brass band in Hemel Hempstead. If you have concerts in or around Hemel Hempstead, then we would be interested to go.