Hathern Band

Hathern Band began in the mid 19th century as a Foresters Friendly Society Band, growing in the nucleus of a few local families. Political rivalry resulted in the formation of a breakaway organisation in 1840. After the Grat War, the rivals resolved their differences and established a united band in 1918.

The band has gone from strength to strength. The 1980's saw some significant changes, including the opening by Phillip McCann, of the new Bandroom in Hathern. In 1981, a Junior Band was formed to encourage the developing interest shown by many local youngsters. There are now four bands in the village - the main Hathern Band, Youth Band, Concert Brass and Training Band - with over 100 members in total.

The Hathern Band is a thriving First Section organisation with 3 years in the Championship Section after gaining promotion in 1996. Under their Musical Director - David Newman - the band has played at many concert venues including the Royal Albert Hall, with successful concert tours in Germany, Holland, Denmark and Northern Ireland. At the Midland Regional Championships in March 2008, the band once again qualified for the National Championships of great Britain at the Harrogate Conference Centre in September.

Brass band music isn't all marches - the band has a wide repertoire to suit most occasions, from concerts to corporate functions to social engagements. Hathern Band is proud to be largely self-supporting without an oervall sponsor. However, the band welcomes financial support for individual projects in return for advertising on posters, tickets and programmes. If you would like to be a patron of Hathern Band or would like to find out about engagemens or you wish to play with the Band, please contact the Secretary : Lesley Bentley on 01509 672029 or 077866 04552 or email or visit the Hathern Band website

Soprano - Joyce Rimington

Joyce is well known in and around her home city of Leicester and the East Midlands for her wide-ranging stage and concert performances.

Her extensive repertoire spans cabaret, oratorio, operetta and grand opera. She has appeared with several of the region's operatic and choral societies and regularly performed as principal soprano with Leicester Opera, where her roles have included Violetta in Verdi's 'La Traviata' and Sister Angelica in Puccini's opera 'Suor Angelica'.

Her considerable talents have also enabled her to perform all three principal roles of Cherubino, Susanna and The Countess in Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' and she has also broadcast for BBC Radio.

Joyce Rimington studied privately under Gordon Clinton formerly Principal of Birmingham School of Music and more recently with Ruth Petter.

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