The much loved foot-tapping New York, New York by John Kander often features as a finale piece when the band performs during the summer, at fetes and bandstands. Here is a short snippet of the band playing at Parson’s Close Recreation Ground Band Stand in Leighton Buzzard – August 2022.
Soon May the Wellerman Come “, also known as ” Wellerman ” or ” The Wellerman “, is a sea ballad from New Zealand from c. 1860–70. The song refers to the “wellermen”, pointing to supply ships owned by the Weller brothers, who were amongst the earliest European settlers of Otago. Here members of Hemel Hempstead band perform as a quintet for the first time, an arrangement by Seb Kelly. June 2022
A wonderful celebration in Chalfont St Giles for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 4th June 2022
A selection from the bands internal Solo Competition – The Penfold Cup held in May 2022. Nick Garman had the difficult job of adjudicating such wonderful performances by all. The Penfold Cup came into being in memory of John Penfold who had a long association with the band and is most well remembered for being a knowledgable and humorous compere at many of the band’s concerts and performances.
The finale of Argos by Stephan Hodel. 4th section test piece for the London & Southern Counties Region of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2022. The band were delighted to be awarded 2nd place, qualifying for two years in a row for a place in the National Finals. Due to recent success, the band is also promoted to the 3rd section. This extract is used with kind permission of World of Brass and the full performance can be heard at www.wobplay.com. We would also like to thank Stephan Hodel for allowing us to share this wonderful piece of music.
Argos is one of the oldest cities in Greece, a powerful rival of Sparta, Athens, and Corinth. The word Argos can also be translated as ‘bright’ or ‘shining’, which is the meaning that Stephan Hodel has adopted for his bright, festive suite. Argos is in three parts, a fanfare-like opening, a song or chorale-like middle section, and a light-hearted final movement.
Everyone at Hemel Hempstead band wishes Peter Davis, Band President a very happy 90th birthday. Peter joined the John Dickinson band, as it was known back then, as an engineering apprentice in 1946 he would not have imagined that 76 years later he would still be playing. Peter was one of the writers of our band’s history; you can find out more by visiting the ‘Band History’ page on our site. Congratulations Peter! (February 2022)
Like most brass bands, we are at our busiest during the lead up to Christmas; playing mainly carols at all sorts of events, mainly across Hertfordshire. The little snippet here was recorded at the switching of the lights in Kings Langley in November 2021; we had some snow! Click here to find out more about the history of Brass at Christmas courtesy of Brassed on Blog.
September 2021 – A recording of one of the band’s rehearsals prior to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2021. The band achieved 4th place out of 14 bands. Read more here.
‘An Elgar Portrait’ composed by Dan Price in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth of English Composer Sir Edward Elgar. The suite is in three movements; Introduction, Elegy and March, each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar’s most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod (Variation IX from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.
With thanks to Dan Price and Kirklees Music.
Spring 2019 – During the Covid-19 epidemic, the band were not able to rehearse together at all, in fact it was to be May 2021 before we were able to rehearse altogether again, still with social distancing rules being observed. The band’s MD, Paul organised and put together this recording, made from individuals own ‘at home’ recordings. Those who took part were glad to be able to perform during this difficult time.