Resilience, Growth, and Pride: Hitchin Band Takes on the Elgar Variations
Taking on a Championship Section test piece in a brass band contest is never a small feat, and this year Hitchin Band rose to the challenge with determination, focus, and a shared sense of purpose. Elgar Variations proved to be exactly what was expected – demanding, intricate, and, at times, unforgiving – but it also offered a powerful opportunity for musical and personal growth across the band.
Preparation
Preparation for contest day in Stevenage this March was thorough and inspiring. Alongside full band rehearsals, a series of detailed sectionals allowed players to dig deeper into the complexities of the music. We were incredibly fortunate to welcome a number of outstanding guest musicians and educators – Steven Mead, Phil Judge, Noel Langley, and Paul Mayes – who each brought their own expertise and perspective. Their insightful coaching not only helped shape our approach to Elgar Variations, but also left a lasting impression on how we rehearse and perform moving forward.
Throughout the preparation period, our Musical Director, Andrew Kershaw, provided unwavering encouragement, leadership, and belief in the band. His commitment to guiding us through the challenges of such a demanding work ensured that every rehearsal was purposeful and progressive.
The Contest Day
Contest day itself brought a mixture of nerves and excitement. Performing against a strong field, the band placed 10th out of 11. While results are always part of the contest experience, they do not define it. The performance represented weeks of hard work, resilience, and musical development – achievements that extend far beyond a placing.
Reflecting on the day, Andrew Kershaw shared:
Firstly, I’m hugely proud of everyone’s efforts today and in the run-up to this contest. It was a very challenging piece and in places just very difficult. We navigated and presented a performance that was enjoyed by the adjudicators. Yes, they picked up on things and some bars went slightly out of shape (briefly), but everyone stayed on task and that’s a massive achievement.
It was indeed a relief to not come last, and I know that perhaps one place higher and we would have been jovial! Soloists were great, and everyone had something to contribute that made a difference in a very positive way.
As for relegation, I’m not any less proud or energised to be your MD in the 1st section as I was in the championship. The band has improved, and I hope my ability to navigate through challenges has as well, and as such, it’s all been extremely worthwhile.
Looking forward to Thursday and new music.
These words capture the spirit of the band perfectly. While the result may not have been what we hoped for, the experience has been invaluable. The musical insights gained, the progress made, and the shared commitment to improvement all point to a bright future.
Congratulations
Hitchin Band would like to congratulate the qualifiers from our section Zone One Brass and Sandhurst Silver and wish them the best of luck later this year representing the region in the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall. For full contest results see 4barsrest website.
