Don Hodesdon Celebration Concert

In the Spring of 2020, the Shirley Band learned of the passing of their President, Donald (Don) Hodesdon. Grandson of the band’s founder, William H Hodesdon, Don had joined the band in 1940, and apart from a brief spell stationed at Catterick during his National Service, had remained a member ever since. In addition to being a talented cornet player, he had served in practically every role on the band’s committee and up until 2015 was a regular fixture at band rehearsals.

On Saturday 15th April, the band were joined in the audience by members of the Hodesdon family, friends, former players and bands-people in a celebration of his life and contribution to the band, the local community and to the brass bands of the Midlands. Guests had travelled from as far afield as Hamm in Germany for the event, held at St James the Great Parish Church, Shirley.

The sell-out concert featured music that were Don’s favourites, those selected by his family and those selected by long-serving members of the band who knew him well, including an emotional rendition of Eric Ball’s “Resurgam”; a piece that Don especially enjoyed playing. A donation from the proceeds of the concert were given to the NSPCC, this being one of Don’s chosen charities during his life.

Throughout the evening, compere Barry Pope recounted many stories, anecdotes and memories of Don. Many of these were personal and others were provided by audience members and those unable to attend, so that by the end of the concert all were left in no doubt of the many ways in which he touched so many lives, musically and personally.