Newstead Brass’ consistent high standards saw the band retain their position as one of the Midlands top brass bands with fourth place at the Midland’s Championships for a second consecutive year, narrowly missing out on qualification for the National Brass Band Championship finals.76 bands took part in this year’s Midland championships, with 12, including Newstead, in the highest ‘championship’ section. Adjudicators Philip Harper and Peter Bassano spoke in detail about the test piece, ‘Paganini Variations’ by Philip Wilby, and what they and the composer were looking for in the music, with the best performances not only meeting the technical demands of the music but also reflect ‘the wild and romantic spirit of Paganini’s life’. Two national finals qualification places were available and these went to the Virtuosi GUS band (Northamptonshire) and runners-up Thoresby Colliery. Third place went to Desford Colliery leaving Newstead in fourth place.
Each band also received written remarks from the judges, with Newstead’s performance drawing particular praise for musical director Duncan Beckley. Comments included ‘[a] thoughtful, well considered reading, wonderfully played’ and ‘a performance with a super musicality to it.’
A band spokesperson commented ‘Our good wishes to all the bands that will represent the Midlands in the National finals this autumn. Particular thanks and congratulations to those bands that supported our Test Piece Festival at the Newstead Centre in February. The Hathern Band, finished as runners up in section 1 and qualify for the finals and Shirebrook band finished fourth in section 2, narrowly missing out on a finals place.’
Newstead Brass will still be making a visit to the National Championships this year, as they will be joining with Mansfield Community Theatre in June of this year for performances of ‘Brassed Off’, the play in which the Grimley Colliery brass are determined to win the British Championship at the Albert Hall.
