We had our inaugural end of term curry night at Saathis Restaurant in Hexham in December 2011. Most of the band were able to go after our last Thursday night rehearsal taking over most of one of our favourite Curry establishments.
Mr Hignett was able to demonstrate his prodigious skills at curry eating and was later presented with a bottle shaped gift from the band to thank him for giving up his time and expertise freely in directing the band.
Dave Hignett our director of music had been dreaming of starting his own big band in the region for many years.
Following further discussions with Geof Keys Artistic Director of the Queens Hall Arts Centre Hexham, the idea if setting up a community big band became a reality.
Well known to many musicians in the North East through his involvement with various Youth and Community ensembles (Northumberland County Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jambone and Prudhoe Community Band), Dave was the ideal person to direct a new big band in the Tyne Valley.
The Queens Hall kindly publicised the formation of the band on their website inviting players to our first ever rehearsal in the West End Methodist Church Hall, Hexham at 6pm on 22nd Sept 2011.
We have been fortunate to have the continued administrative backing of the Queens Hall Arts Centre during our first year.
The first rehearsal got underway with a group of people from all walks of life, ages and abilities. Lacking a full rhythm section things got off to somewhat shaky start but the seed was sown and the band was poised to develop further during its first year together.
We have been fortunate to attract some very talented musicians to play in the band including several music teachers, this has raised the standard of the band to an impressive level with some very exciting performances from our soloists.
The first chart we ever played was Glenn Millers “String of Pearls”, this remains a favourite of the band opening up our set.