Latest News

02/10/2008 National Finals - Fourth Place Helston Town Band competed in the National Finals of Great Britain in the First Section over the weekend, and received an excellent fourth place out of the seventeen competing bands. The band made the long journey to Harrogate, leaving Helston at 6am on Saturday for a 400+ mile coach trip. After a tea-time at leisure, there was a rehearsal in the hotel in Leeds on the Saturday evening. With the competition commencing at 9.30am on Sunday, this demanded another early start. However, the band was drawn to play number 11 out of 17, giving plenty time for a morning rehearsal in the bandroom at Huby. The band then made its way to the International Conference Centre in Harrogate, the competition venue. And so to the performance, the band gave an excellent renditon of Philip Sparke's 'The Saga of Haakon the Good', with everyone coming off stage feeling delighted. This was undoubtedly the best the band has played the piece, and particular praise must go to Kevin Johns on Euphonium and Demelza Christophers on Cornet for their solo passages. The performance was awarded fourth place out the seventeen bands. Although a little higher would have been nice, this result is a tremendous achievement on the national stage, reflecting the band's continued progress over the last four years. The adjudicators Melvin White and Steve Sykes in particular praised the euphonium solo and the effective percussion. The band would like to once again thank Samuel Eddy for deputising on Soprano Cornet - he did a fantastic job on stage. Also, the band would like to thank Lionel Endean for organising the travel and accommodation. Finally, thank you to all the supporters who made this trip possible through financial donations over the last few months. Championship Section, here we come ...!

23/09/2008 Harrogate Here We Come! Helston Town Band will make an 800 mile round trip to Harrogate this weekend, to take part in the National Finals of Great Britain, representing the West of England in the First Section. The band has been working hard rehearsing the testpiece 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' by Philip Sparke in the last month, and with just 4 rehearsals left before leaving for Harrogate, the final preparations are very much underway. This will be the band's last contest in the First Section before promotion to the Championship Section next year. Supporters of the band will notice two player changes for the National Finals. This will be the contest debut for Solo Baritone player Jack Curnow, who replaces Rachel Squibb, whose first baby is due within days of Harrogate. The band is also pleased to announce that Samuel Eddy will take the place of Jeremy Squibb on Soprano Cornet for this contest, and would like to express their utmost appreciation to both Samuel and the Camborne B Band for enabling this substitution. Harrogate Here We Come!

26/08/2008 Proms in the Park: Rain Couldn't Stop Play! Helston Town Band's annual 'Proms in the Park' concert took place on Saturday 23rd August 2008 at Lismore Gardens, by kind permission of Mr Michael Jay. The event was once again a huge success, despite the weather - fairly dry at the start of the concert, the showers increased in intensity towards the end of the evening. However, these did not dampen the spirits of the hugely appreciative audience. The band got off to a fantastic 'Rocky' start, with the premiere performance of 'Fanfare from Rocky' arranged by Phil Trudgeon. Other programme highlights included the Eb-flat bass solo ‘Bare Necessities’ featuring Mike Pritchard, and 'Cry of the Celts’, a five-movement piece featuring several of the band’s soloists. In the second half, Elton John aka Paul Jenkins accompanied the band on keyboards in 'Circle of Life', also featuring Demelza Christophers and Felicity Boase on flutes. A surprise item on the programme was a moving performance of 'Londonderry Air' 'a la Brassed Off', with the band performing in the pitch black with only the aid of their miner's helmets (courtesy of South Crofty). The evening concluded with the traditional Proms anthems ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Pomp and Circumstance’, with the audience participating and waving flags despite the rain. The vocal soloist for the evening was the hugely accomplished soprano Elinor Chapman, an exceptional talent who was overheard singing at the bands final Padstow concert last year and was booked on the spot. Elinor perfomed a varied programme of operatic arias, wowing the audience with her fantastic range. The compere for the evening was once again BBC Spotlight’s Rebecca Wills who did a fantastic job. The band is extremely grateful to Rebecca for agreeing to once again act as compere, and ensuring the event ran as smoothly as possible. A speech of thanks was given by MD John Hitchens, and special presentations were made to Band President Michael Jay and to principal cornet Ian Harvey who has this year stood down as Treasurer of the band after 20 years. The band will perform their last concert of the summer season this Friday evening at Porthleven harbour at 7.30pm, before intense preparations begin for the National Finals in Harrogate on September 28th.

23/08/2008 Proms Concert All Steam Ahead With an ever-improving weather forecast for tonight, the band's annual Proms in the Park concert is all set to go ahead in style at Lismore Gardens. Barring a torrential downpour that Noah himself would think twice about, the gates will open tonight at 6pm. The Junior Band will be performing from 6.15, and the concert will start at 7pm with a bang. Tickets are still available to purchase from B&P Wills, Christophers Estate Agents and Cancer Care for Cornwall, or you can buy them on the gate. Don't forget to bring your rug, your picnice, and a brolly, just in case. Rule Britannia!

13/08/2008 Proms in the Parkets Tickets Selling Fast! Helston Town Band is currently preparing for its annual 'Proms in the Park' concert which will this year be held on Saturday 23rd August. The hugely popular open-air concert will once again be held in the beautiful Lismore Gardens by kind permission of Michael Jay. The concert will this year feature guest vocalist Elinor Chapman, an award-winning soprano currently based in London, and the band are looking forward to performing with such a talented soloist. Musical Director John Hitchens has prepared a varied and entertaining programme for the evening, with something for everyone, ranging from film music to solo items to the traditional Proms Anthems. The concert will be chaired by BBC Spotlight Presenter Rebecca Wills, back by popular demand! As ever, you are encouraged to buy your programmes early, and bring your flags, rugs, picnic and liquid refreshments! Whilst we are optimistic of it remaining dry, the concert will be in the Church if wet. You are advised to buy your programmes early to avoid disappointment. Priced at just £6, the programmes are this year in full colour and available from the following outlets in Helston: Cancer Care for Cornwall (Margaret Fitters); Christophers Estate Agents; B & P Wills; or from any band member. Rule Britannia!