End of Year Treat from Newstead Brass

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.
2011 has seen the band consolidate its position as the highest North Midlands band in the 4barsrest world rankings, support a number of local and national charities and release a new CD ‘Goldcrest’.

Musical director Duncan Beckley will lead Newstead Brass through a selection of music made famous by the likes of Ted Heath, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glen Miller as well as more modern swingers such as Michael Buble and other foot-tapping tunes from the band’s varied repertoire.

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. This year’s concert celebrates another good year for the band and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an evening that’s sure to play a great part in their new year celebrations.”

The Newstead Centre is on Tilford Road in Newstead, near the railway station. Admission is just £3 payable at the door. Advance tickets can be reserved by calling 0115 952 7435 or via the secure 'www.ticketsource.co.uk' website.

Packed Church enjoys ‘Sounds like Christmas’

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

Newstead Brass launch Coates-linked CD in time for Christmas

Newstead Brass’ new CD recording ‘Goldcrest’, which features a new piece based on the themes of Hucknall born composer Eric Coates, is now available and, alongside their seasonal concerts, provides another reason to celebrate the exciting sound of brass this Christmas.

‘Goldcrest’ was recorded at Hucknall Central Methodist Church in October by Hucknall based Ben Marshall from Direct Recording Services, and shows Newstead Brass’ versatility with a range of music typical of their concert programmes. As well as transcriptions from classical and established composers there are also world-premiere recordings of two contrasting pieces from Dan Price, including ‘Finest Hour’ which uses musical themes from local composer Eric Coates.

The CD can be purchased from the band website, (cost £10 + £1 p&p), from Hucknall Central Methodist Church this Saturday Morning (17th December) between 10.00 and 12 noon, or at the band’s Christmas and New Year concerts. These include ‘Christmas at The Proms’ supporting the NSPCC at Epperstone Village Hall on Friday 16th December at 7.30 pm, ‘Carols in Brass’ at St Wilfrid’s Church, Kirkby, on Sunday 18th December at 6.00 pm and ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Hucknall on Monday 19th December at 7.30 pm, which will also feature guests Bestwood Male Voice Choir. Ticket details are on the band website or can be obtained by calling 0115 952 7435.

Newstead Brass have also confirmed their annual ‘Newstead Plays (more than) Big Band’ night will take place at the Newstead Centre on Friday December 30th at 8.00 pm. Tickets cost £3 and will be on sale at all Christmas concerts or by calling 0115 952 7435.

Hucknall Christmas Tree Festival 2011

A black and gold tree (reflecting the band's colours) will be one of around 50 exhibits at the 2011 Hucknall Christmas Tree Festival taking place at the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Market Place from Wednesday 7th to Saturday 10th December.

The festival opens at 6 pm on Wednesday and continues form 10-12, 2-4 and 6-8 on Thursday and Friday with the final chance to visit on Saturday morning. There is free admission and light refreshments are available.

The band's 2010 tree 'Band of Angels' (shown right) was one of the prize-winning entries. This year's tree takes the theme 'Music Everywhere' reflecting the wide variety of venues the band play at and the imminent release of the band’s new CD ‘Goldcrest’.

Newstead Brass will present their 'Sounds Like Christmas' at the church on Monday 19th December at 7.30 pm with special guests Bestwood Male Voice Choir.