A packed Hucknall Parish Church enjoyed Newstead Brass’ annual ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ concert, with guests Bestwood Male Voice Choir, on Monday December 19th, with chairs being borrowed from two other venues to allow all the audience to be seated!Newstead Brass and Bestwood Male Voice choir, conducted by musical directors Duncan Beckley and Mirek Russ respectively, provided a varied and high class programme including popular and lesser-known seasonal favourites with Newstead Brass featuring several soloists. The first half closed to rapturous applause with Newstead Brass performing ‘Finest Hour’, a new composition by Dan Price which opens with speeches of Winston Churchill and ‘Eric Coates ‘Calling All Workers’ and ends with his famous ‘Dambusters’ march. There was also the opportunity for the audience to join in three carols with the band and choir. ‘Finest Hour’ is one of the tracks on Newstead Brass new CD ‘Goldcrest’ available via the band website for £11 including delivery.
A band spokesman said, “It’s great that so many people wanted to come and see the band and choir and we apologise if anyone was inconvenienced by only having a restricted view or having to stand whilst extra chairs were collected from the John Godber Centre and Central Methodist Church and we express our thanks to both venues.”
Newstead Brass will mark the end of another successful year with their annual ‘Newstead Plays (more than) Big Band’ concert on Friday December 30th at 8.00pm at the Newstead Centre. The concert will again feature music made famous by the likes of Ted Heath, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller as well as music associated with the ‘Rat Pack’ and more modern swingers such as Michael Buble.
A band spokesman added, “Most bands take a break after Christmas, but we enjoyed celebrating the end of the millennium so much in December 1999 we’ve made this end-of-year fun concert night an annual part of our programme and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an evening that’s sure to play a great part in their new year celebrations.”
Admission is just £3 payable at the door. Advance tickets can be reserved by calling 0115 952 7435 or via the band website
