LATEST NEWS/BLOG:
November 2011:
The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band, "The Spitfires", have been selected to play at the 2012 National St. Georges Day Parade in Windsor Castle.
The band has been asked to accompany the Band of the Welsh Guards in parading the 800 recipients of Queen's Scout Awards into the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle, where they will be reviewed by the invited guests.
Greg Walker, Director of Music, told us “This is a great honour for the band to be asked to play at such a high profile event. This opportunity is recognition of all the hard work that everybody involved with the band has put in over many years.”
Whilst every St. Georges Day is special to the Queens Scouts who attend, 2012 is a very important one, as it also falls in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year.
August 2011: Blog
Bandmember Harvey Parsons on his first outing with the band: "A Day at the Races"
I play trombone in a band called The Spitfires. On Saturday 13th August I got up at 7.30, Dad took me to Spitfires HQ where we met all the other members who were playing that day. We squished like sardines into the mini bus and headed off. When we arrived at Thruxton Race track I was so pleased to be out of the minibus that I ran up the high bank to get a peek of the race track and the vehicles racing.
Once we were in our uniforms and about to play I felt very scared as this was my first trip out with the band. For the second performance my confidence had grown and I thought to myself “Oh cool, this is awesome!” We played my 3 favourite songs; Instant Concert, Pep Rally Rock and Louie, Louie. This made the whole thing much more enjoyable. People stopped to watch our performances and they applauded. This made me feel happy and very proud.
It was a great place to play our music because I got to see loads of cars, big rides, pic ‘n mix stalls and Lorry cab racing. The lorry cabs and the mini’s were best, especially the mini called Harvey. I also really enjoyed the free tea and hot chocolate. We got back to HQ at 5.00. I was exhausted at the end of the day but really glad I went.
January 2011: Blog
The band returned to Warner's Bembridge, IOW this January at the request of Angela Holidays for their member's weekend. The band played a set of music based around the weekend's theme of "Best of British", which included World War singalongs and ended in a rousing singalong of patriotic favourites like "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Jerusalem"
November 2010: NEWS
The Spitfires launch their first CD
This Thursday evening sees a momentous moment in the history of the 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band, with the launch of their first CD recording. The album, entitled 'By Request' features eleven tracks and will be raising funds for a variety of charities.
The launch party on Thursday will see Civic Dignitaries including the Deputy Mayor of Eastleigh, Scouting and Guiding representatives from County and District level, County representatives from the Royal British Legion plus the Family and Friends of the band listening to some tracks from the CD for the first time.
Recording was done back in September, when the Band assembled in the Scout HQ turned Recording Studio for two days of intense music playing. The Director of Music, Greg Walker, had arranged for a commercial organisation, Dr Jekyl Mobile Recording Ltd, to transform the hall with multiple microphones and metres of cable into a modern recording studio.
Tracks on the album include popular marches, hits from the musicals, tunes from the big band era and also puts the spotlight on 'The Merlins' ensemble. All of the repertoire was chosen to show of ability the skill of the band, as well as a few favourites.
The first chosen supported charity will see proceeds from sales of the CD going to the Royal British Legion. Greg says "Because of our affiliation with the Royal British Legion in Eastleigh, and launching the CD in November, it seemed only right that we donate a portion of the money to their Poppy Appeal 2010."
October 2010: NEWS
After an extremely busy summer of carnivals and practicing, the band are pleased to announce the release of their new CD - "By Request" - due for release on 25th November 2010. The CD was recorded live on Sunday 5th September at our Headquarters in Allbrook by Dr Jekyl Mobile Recording. If you would like to pre-order a copy, please email the Director of Music.
May 2009: NEWS
The 14th Eastleigh Scout and Guide Band (The Spitfires) gave a concert at St Peter's Church in Bishop's Waltham on Saturday and was rewarded with a handsome cheque.
The Hampshire band was the latest project in Eastleigh to receive money from O2's It's Your Community programme. The band, which was awarded £1,000 in the cultural category, plans to use the cash to buy additional musical scores.
Formed back in 1968, as a traditional drum and trumpet marching band, it has developed into one of the top Scout and Guide youth concert and military style bands in the UK. It prides itself on its wide and inclusive membership and loans out instruments to disadvantaged youngsters.
"This money means we can buy some new music for when we go out and play this year."
Band members do not need any previous musical experience and many of its members have gone on to become professional musicians and teachers.
Greg Walker, the band's musical director, said: "We are delighted to have been recognised with this award. The Spitfires strive really hard to improve themselves but without additional musical scores, which can cost up to £50 each, they can't expand, compete in national competitions or increase their repertoire for the benefit of the many charities they support by giving fundraising concerts.
"The success of this band is testament to the hard work and dedication of its members and volunteers."
Tim Auld from O2 added: "This is a fantastic project and I'm delighted It's Your Community has been able to get involved. The culture category was created to benefit projects just like Spitfires Music Project ."
The Spitfires weren't the only ones to benefit from Saturday's concert, which was organised to raise funds for Hampshire-based charity Friends of Teso (www.friends-of-teso-uganda.org.uk), which sends shipments of much-needed goods to the Teso district of Uganda.
Pat Morris, one of the organisation's co-founders said: "We raised over £300. The band was wonderful and the venue was a great success. It was the first time it had been used to host a concert and everyone was so professional. The scouts have previously provided musical instruments, tents and bicycles for our shipments so it was great to see them in action."
The band will be in action again in July when they will play for shoppers in Eastleigh town centre in a bid to raise awareness of the need for more Scout leaders in the area. The shortage means there are currently more than 100 young people on the waiting list. For more information or to volunteer your services go to www.14thspitfires.co.uk.
Christmas 2008:
The Spitfires have had a very busy Christmas period, playing in private concerts and local church carol services, not forgetting playing through Eastleigh in the Winter Carnival, and are now all carol-ed out!
Our 2008 annual awards ceremony saw a number of members gain recognition for their contribution to the band during the year, and the Percussion section won the best section of 2008 for all their hard work.
The band are looking forward to a busy 2009 with lots of big events to look forward to.
October 2008:
"Spitfires celebrate 40 years…"
17th October saw the pinnacle of The Spitfires musical history, when they sold out The Point with guests and friends to celebrate their 40th Anniversary. The band welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Eastleigh, Chris Huhne (MP for Eastleigh) and Wayne Bulpitt, Chief Commissioner for England plus other dignitaries from the Scouts, Guides and Royal British Legion, to who the Band have been affiliated.
Formed in 1968, The Spitfires Scout & Guide Band has been providing musical entertainment to the residents of Eastleigh and further afield for 40 years. Starting with just £50 worth of second-hand instruments, the band has grown to be over 40-strong.
Friday’s concert featured a wide repertoire of music from traditional marches such as Colonel Bogey and Swing March through to the likes of Abba, The Beatles and the film “Grease!”. As well as concerts, the band can always be seen out in local Carnivals and Parades, particularly around St. Georges Day and Remembrance Day.
The band welcomes anyone within the Scout and Guide movement who would like to play an instrument with a group of like-minded young people.
The band recently opened a new website (www.14thspitfires.co.uk) for people to keep in touch with the Band, and to find out about future events. The band’s next public engagement is The Autumn Fayre at St. Boniface Church, followed by the annual Remembrance Parade. To finish off the year, they will be helping to turn on Eastleigh’s Christmas lights and playing many carol concerts in the local area.
September 2008:
New Website now up and running!