History

2022

May – Harmonie got their Summer concert season off to a great start with an excellent performance, to a large crowd, at the bandstand in Priory Park, Southend. The band also returned to Horndon Music Society to an appreciative audience. Finally, at the Band AGM, the M.D.’s Award went to Jacob Henry for his contribution on percussion since joining the band in last September.


2021

January – Resumed rehearsals on Zoom. We were pleased to form links with Devizes Town Band and All Saints Concert Band who joined us for these rehearsals.

March – Joint project with All Saints Church in Shirley, Croydon to create performances of Over the Rainbow and Jerusalem for their virtual Easter service.

June – Met face to face for outdoor rehearsals on the grounds of the Methodist Church in Rayleigh.

July – Recommenced face to face indoor rehearsals on a section basis at the Megacentre.

September – Resumed normal face to face rehearsals at the Megacentre subject to following Government advice to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Performed our first concert for 19 months at Colchester Bandstand.

November – Harmonie were pleased to take part in the Remembrance service at Shoebury.

December – Some members of the band were pleased to support the Warehouse Centre by playing carols at their Christmas Market. Harmonie were also pleased to return to the URC to present a Christmas Concert. 


2020

March – Harmonie were pleased to have a Rehearsal Day with Duncan Stubbs before all rehearsals were suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

May – Some of the clarinet section recorded their first virtual performance.

June – Some of the clarinet section recorded their second virtual performance using the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

September – Harmonie held their first virtual get together since the start of the pandemic. Some members of the clarinet section recorded their third virtual performance.

October – Some of Harmonie joined Devizes Town Band for their zoom rehearsals.

November – Harmonie did their first large virtual performance playing “We have all the time in the World”.

December – Harmonie did their second large virtual performance using “The Christmas Song”.


2019

January – Harmonie held an open rehearsal to encourage new members.

April – Harmonie participate in a St George’s Day event with the U3A.

June – Harmonie made a return visit to Southend Bandstand.

July – Harmonie made a return visit to Eastbourne Bandstand.

September – Harmonie made a return visit to the Orsett Show. The band were also pleased to join with Canvey Rotary to present a Proms in the Park event.

November – Harmonie were pleased to take part in the Remembrance service at Shoebury.

December – Harmopnie were pleased to make their annual Christmas visit to the URC in Rayleigh to present a Christmas Concert.


2018

March – Rehearsal Day with Nigel Hess.

May – Harmonie perform at Horndon Music Society and Southend Bandstand.

June – Harmonie make their first visit to Eastbourne Bandstand.

September – Harmonie perform at Orsett Show.

October – Harmonie hold Concert st Crowstone Church, Westcliffe. They are pleased to be joined by clarinettist William Knight to play Philip Sparke’s Clarinet Concerto. Band also play several pieces by Nigel Hess.

December – Christmas Concert at URC, Rayleigh.


2017

May – Harmonie play at Megacentre and also play at Southend Bandstand.

June – Harmonie performs a concert for Billericay Lions Club.

September – Harmonie plays at Orsett Show. Band also hold an open rehearsal to encourage new members to join.

October – Harmonie plays at Thundersley Congregational Church.

December – Harmonie plays at URC, Rayleigh.


2016

March – Harmonie hold a Rehearsal Day with composer Colin Touchin to work on and develop an early draft of “Scenes of Essex” the piece we have commissioned for our anniversary concert.

April – Harmonie joins the Lions Club in Woodford for their annual Proms Concert.

May – Harmonie play at Southend Bandstand and Horndon Music Society.

July – Harmonie tour Belgium playing at the bandstand in Ostend and in the Grote Markt in Ypres.

October – Harmonie perform a concert at Basildon Towngate Theatre to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the band in 1976. This included the World Premiere of “Scenes of Essex” by Colin Touchin which the band commissioned especially for the occasion. Band also hold a quiz night.

December – Harmonie performs at URC, Rayleigh.


2015

April – Harmonie joins Lions Club in Woodford for their annual Proms concert.

May – Harmonie plays at Rayleigh Methodist Church and Southend Bandstand.

June – Harmonie plays at URC, Rayleigh and also at the Proms in the Park.

October – Harmonie plays a concert at Megacentre.

December – Harmonie plays at URC, Rayleigh.


2014

This year Harmonie commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War 1.

July – Harmonie performs at Eastwood Baptist Church in aid of The Olive Tree charity.

June – Harmonie performs at Proms On the Vineyards in Fobbing.
Harmonie performs at Southend Bandstand in Priory Park.

January – Harmonie welcomed back Roy Dignum for his second term as MD.


2013

December – Two successful Christmas concerts raised more than £500 for charity.

September – After a successful year as MD, Rob Jones stood down.
David Adlington was appointed as Interim MD.


2012

This year Harmonie put on their sports kit for an Olympic musical-themed year taking part in a total of 12 concerts including two in France.

September – Rob Jones takes over as Musical Director.

July – Harmonie Concert Band travel abroad for the first time visiting Rouen and Le Havre

March – The band present the Cultural Olympiad Concert Sporting Tracks concert


2011

This year Harmonie heads to the big top performing 13 concerts with a circus theme.

September – Harmonie performs at the Orsett Show for the first time and has since become a regular part of the concert programme.

July – Adopt-A-Composer Dancing Rings piece premiered at the Rayleigh Baptist Church, recorded and later broadcast by the BBC.

May – Harmonie once again presents a joint concert with the Trillogy Singers at Crowstones Church, Westcliff-on-Sea.

April – Harmonie performs at St Mary’s Church, South Woodford for the Rotary Club of Redbridge.

March – Harmonie Concert Band take part in the London 2011 BASBWE event at Bromley


2010

This year Harmonie head West presenting music from America in a total of nine concerts.

October – Harmonie once again presents a joint concert with the Julie Noble School of Dance and Eastwood Chorale at the Rayleigh Mill in aid of Havens Hospices and St Martins Residential Care.
David Kendall spends a day with the band.

June – Harmonie take part in Armed Forces day at Chalkwell Park, Southend.

April – Harmonie Concert Band and Lewisham Concert Band present a joint concert as part of the Leonard Bernstein Festival at the Royal Festival Hall

February – The band take part in a sponsored rehearsal in aid of Clic Sargent Cancer Charity and raise £459.


2009

This year’s musical theme is a trip closer to home, around the British Isles, with the band performing 10 concerts.

November – The band take part in the National Concert Band Regional Festival in Colchester presenting pieces Concert Prelude and 4 Norfolk Dances and are awarded a silver

OctoberPhilip Sparke spends a day with the Band.

June – Harmonie Concert Band gains Charity Status


2008

This year Harmonie packed their musical bags for a trip around the world performing nine concerts.

November – Harmonie makes their second appearance at the National Concert Band Regional Festival in Colchester. The band are awarded silver for pieces Charivari and Serenade.

October – Malcolm Binney spends a day with the Band.

July – Harmonie presents a joint concert with the Julie Noble School of Dance and Eastwood Chorale at Rayleigh Mill in aid of Havens Hospices and St Martins Residential Care.


2007

This year’s musical theme is music from the Movies.

September – The band make their first appearance at the Essex Country Show held at Barleylands which becomes a staple of the concert programme.

June – Harmonie presents a joint concert with Mosaic Choir at Hassenbrook School, Stanford-le-Hope.

April – Colin Touchin spends a day with the band.


2006

Harmonie Concert Band head East this year presenting a programme of Russian themed music.

September – Harmonie returns to Theydon Bois Village Hall to perform another concert, once again in aid of St Clare Hospice.

June – Harmonie performs at Holy Trinity Church, Rayleigh.

March – Major Roger Swift spends a day with the Band. Roger was an ex Musical Director for the Coldstream Guards and put Harmonie through their paces. Roger also spent time helping some of the band members improve their conducting skills.


2005 

November – The band take part in the National Concert Band Regional Festival in Colchester performing Illyrian Dances and Pastime with Good Company and are awarded a silver. This was the first time that Harmonie had entered such an event and the silver award reflected the hard work of band members to prepare

October – Harmonie performs a joint concert with Southend Youth Concert Band at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell.

June – The band play at the VE/VJ Commemoration Evening organised by the Royal Artillery Association Shoeburyness Branch.

May – The Garden Shows at Southend, Brentwood and Billericay become a regular concert programme feature.

March – Guy Woolfenden spends a day with the Band, the first of a number of visits from esteemed wind band Composers and Conductors.


2004  

November – The band perform at the Theydon Bois Village Hall in aid of St Clare Hospice.

June – Harmonie performs at a Reception at the Mayor Southend’s official residence, Porters.

March – The band hosts its first ‘Open Day’ encouraging instrumentalists to spend a day with the band culminating in a concert in the afternoon.


2003

The band move to their current rehearsal venue in Rayleigh

Harmonie record their first CD ‘The Voice of Harmonie’

December – The band present an evening of Christmas favourites at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

November – The band presents an evening of Music from the Movies in aid of St Clare Hospice in Harlow.

June – Harmonie performs at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre as part of the company’s centennial celebrations.


2002   

The band perform seven concerts this year including a joint concert with Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir at East Grinstead.

April – Roy Dignum takes over as Musical Director.


2001

The band perform eight concerts this year including three joint concerts with the Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir.


2000

The band perform at St James Park as part of the Royal Parks Summer Festival.


1999

The band perform at Regents Park.


1998

The band move their rehearsals to Leigh-on-Sea and change their name to Harmonie – The South Essex Symphonic Windband.


1993

David Clark takes over as Musical Director.


1992

The Band perform at the Greenwich Park Bandstand.


1976

Peter Stead forms the band as Basildon Concert Band
Stuart Machin takes over as Musical Director.