Community Music
Hot Aire! is a vibrant, inclusive, community concert band. We are renowned for our distinctive sound created by an eclectic mix of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments with the exciting addition of keyboards and electric guitars, in the traditional concert band format.
Hot Aire! is based in Saltaire, Shipley, and attract musicians from Aire Valley, Bradford, Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees and North Yorkshire. We are dedicated to fostering a love for music and a sense of community. We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive environment where every musician can thrive and we offer a supportive platform for musicians to grow, shine and perform.
Our Musical Directors
Hot Aire!
Stephen Bradnum
Stephen is an internationally renowned arranger and conductor. His arrangement of The Irish Blessing has been played by brass bands across the globe. Upon graduating from the University of Huddersfield with a degree in music he was awarded the Harry Mortimer Memorial Trust Award Brass Student of the Year for the encouragement of Brass Band Music in the United Kingdom. Stephen also works with a number of other ensembles including Bradford and Airedale Youth Choir, Ilkley Youth Choir, and Ilkley Stage Singers. Additionally he teaches Brass, Piano and Voice peripatetically in schools across West Yorkshire.
Fresh Aire!
Barbara Snowdon
Barbara is a qualified music teacher and multi-instrumentalist who is highly experienced at leading ensembles. Having conducted Fresh Aire! since 2010 she has been the driving force behind the band for most of its life.
As a result Barbara deeply understands how to bring out the best from beginner musicians. Her patient and enthusiastic approach resulted in Fresh Aire! being a very high standard training band that remains welcoming to players of any ability.
History
Bradford City of Culture 2025
As part of the Bradford City of Culture celebration we took part in the Big Brass Blowout and the Finale of the “Bradford Progress”.
The Covid Lockdown
The bands’ rehearsals had to be cancelled due to the COVID pandemic lockdown, but that didn’t stop us from playing!
During this time the bands had on-line sectional rehearsals and made individual recordings of “Bare Necessities” and “What a Wonderful World”. These were compiled into a montage and posted on to our social media platforms.
We also organised online events, quizzes and activities to help keep our “band family” in contact with each other during this difficult time.
25th Anniversary Concert
June 2014 marked 25 years since the inaugural concert of Hot Aire. To celebrate the occasion we performed at the Little Theatre in Bingley. The programme included Platform 9 and ¾ , Crunchy Frog, Bohemian Rhapsody and Riverdance, with massed drummers, vocalists and solo Soprano Sax.
Fresh Aire!
Fresh Aire! started as “Junior Hot Aire!” as a result of increased interest in Hot Aire! after its inaugural concert in June 1989. A few years later interest waned and the players of junior Hot Aire! merged with Hot Aire!
Fresh Aire! was restarted in 2010, under the direction of Barbara Snowden, with the emphasis on teaching. Fresh Aire! It had its own repertoire and the first concert was in 2014.
Our First Tour
Hot Aire’s! Inaugural Summer Tour was to the Moselle Valley in Germany.
Concerts were held in Bad Beryrich, Zell, Bernkastel-kues and Luxembourg.
The concert in Luxembourg was particularly challenging because the coach could not enter the City and all the gear including a full drum kit and the marimba had to be carried half a mile from the coach drop off point to the concert venue!
Musical Director
Stephen Bradnum was appointed as the new musical director for the band.
The Formation of Hot Aire!
Hot Aire! was formed by Barry “Baz” Stephens. The band was created through the amalgamation of two youth musical groups that disbanded in the Autumn of 1988.
The band’s name and uniform came from the suggestion of the players.
Where Next?
Upcoming Concerts
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Book Us
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