User:Cornet matt1/Hazel Grove Brass Band

The Band
The Hazel Grove Brass Band is a 3rd Section brass band based in Hazel Grove, Stockport (North West of England). They seek to provide quality musical entertainment for the local community and also compete in various competitions around the North West and North Wales.

They are the current 4th Section North West Area and National Champions of Great Britain and are also reigning 4th Section Champions of both the Pontins and Buxton Brass Band Championships.

History
The Band was originally formed in 1850 and for 100 years was an active part of village life, playing at all the anniversaries during the reign of Queen Victoria. A tradition was established, with the band playing every Christmas Day at the local Liberal Club for over 100 years.

Over the years the Band played at an enormous variety of venues and events. Notably, the band represented the same Sunday School in Ashton-under-Lyne at 50 consecutive Whit Friday Marches.

In 1950 the old band folded. The closure of a local factory which employed many of the players and also housed the rehearsal venue caused problems which the band was unable to survive.

The old drum presented to the band for the Whit Marches recently turned up in a local Stockport school – somewhat in need of repair, but still more or less in one piece!

Happily in 1992 the Band was re-formed by an enthusiastic mixture of players from Poynton Youth Brass Band and plus some more experienced local bandsmen. Music, stands and instruments were all borrowed and rehearsals started in Hazel Grove Civic Hall; the Band’s headquarters for 11 years. In June 2003, the Band relocated to Davenport Methodist Church and then finally came back to the Hazel Grove Civic Hall, which remains it’s home today.

The Band has made steady progress fulfilling a wide variety of engagements from traditional brass band concerts to Bavarian evenings with an Oompah Band – we will try anything!

On the contest scene the Band has had many successes, winning six consecutive first prizes during 1997 and 1998. Our hard work and dedication was rewarded in 1998 when we won the Regional qualifying contest at Blackpool to represent the North West at the National Finals in Harrogate, a success which we have recently repeated in 2010. This year's Regional win is one of 4 consecutive contest wins along with a win at Pontins Brass Band Championship and Buxton Contest, a title that was regained following success there in 2009.

In September 2010, after qualifying for the National Finals by winning the North West Regional Contest in Blackpool, the band's hard work and commitment was rewarded when they were crowned 4th Section National Champions of Great Britain at the National Finals at Harrogate International Centre.

The band gained a credible 7th place out of 13 at the 2011 North West Area Contest, The Bands first contest in the 3rd Section. This is the highest placing for the band at the Regional Contest in its known history.

Musical Director
The band are proud to have Nigel Beasley as their Musical Director.

Nigel studied euphonium under Geoff Whitham as one of 10 students on the first Brass Band musicianship course at Salford University. Also amongst the students were Allan Withington (conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) and Ian Barker (solo baritone with the Band).

Having played with the POEU Band in Stockport and the Mirrlees Works Band, Nigel then joined Wingates Temperance in 1978 on solo baritone, where he stayed until 1981, before taking up a similar position with the Fodens Motor Works Band. After 3 years he moved back to Wingates where he remained for a further 9 years.

Early in 1993 Nigel accepted the invitation to join the Williams Fairey Band and played baritone along with his long time friend Peter Christian. That year saw the band achieve a magnificent "Double", winning the British Open and National Championships before also adding the European Title 7 months later. Under the baton of James Gourlay the Band achieved further successes at the British Open and All England Masters. In 2004 Nigel retired from playing and took a break from the brass-banding movement unti 2007, when he took up the offer to conduct the Hazel Grove Brass Band.

Since taking the helm at Hazel Grove, Nigel has guided the band to many successes, culminating in victories at 6 consecutive contests including the 2010 North West Area Championship (4th Section) and 2010 National Finals in Harrogate (4th Section). Nigel took the band from being the worst 4th Section band in the North West (Area 2009) to the best 4th Section band in the Country in just 18 months.

Past Musical Directors
Here are the Past Musical Directors of Hazel Grove Brass Band since its reformation in 1992:

Neil Bowden

Andy Hirst

Les Hall - now plays 3rd man down (Front Row) with the band

Current Principal Players
Principal Cornet: Phil Heywood

Soprano Cornet: Mike Miller

Flugel Horn: Holly Dolman

Tenor Horn: Tanya Cooney

Solo Euphonium: Gareth Beasley

Solo Baritone: Ian Barker

Solo Trombone: Mike Topping

Solo Eb Bass: Sue Goodare

Solo Bb Bass: Mike Goodare

Contesting Results
2011 North West Area (3rd Section) - 7th Place (Draw No.7)

2010

Pontins (4th Section) - 1st Place (Draw No. 4)

Nation Finals (4th Section) - 1st Place (Draw No. 1)

Buxton Festival (4th Section) - 1st Place (Draw No. 14)

North West Area (4th Section) - 1st Place (Draw No. 15)

2009

Pontins (4th Section) - 1st Place (Draw No. 4)

Buxton Festival (4th Section) - 1st Place

Tameside Open Championships (4th Section) - 3rd Place

North West Area (4th Section) - 19th Place (Draw No. 2)

2008

Pontins (4th Section) - 3rd Place (Draw No. 10)

Buxton Festival (4th Section) - 3rd Place

North West Area (4th Section) - 8th Place (Draw No. 5)

2007

North West Area (Third Section) - 19th Place

2006

North West Area (Third Section) - 14th Place (Draw No. 7)

2005

North West Area (Third Section) - 11th Place (Draw No. 11)

2004

North West Area (Third Section) - 12th Place (Draw No. 2)

2003

North West Area (Third Section) - 10th Place

2002

North West Area (Third Section) - 16th Place

2001

North West Area (Third Section) - 12th Place

2000

North West Area (Third Section) - 13th Place (Draw No. 1)

1999

Tameside Open Championships (Fourth Section) - 3rd Place

1998

National Finals (Fourth Section) - 9th Place

1997

North West Area (Fourth Section) - 10th Place

1996

Buxton Festival (Fourth Section) - 1st Place