Christmas Festival with Brass and Voice : December 7th in Hucknall

Hucknall is set to host a musical Christmas feast as two of the area’s top amateur music groups come together for a ‘Christmas Festival’ at Central Methodist Church on Saturday December 7th at 7.30 pm. 

Newstead Brass, 2013 winners of both the Oxford and Leicester Brass Band Festivals will be joined by the Eastwood Collieries Male Voice choir which has an enviable reputation for the quality of its sound and singing.  

A band spokesman added, “Newstead Brass was once again complimented for our playing in the parade and service on Remembrance Sunday in Hucknall this year.  The Life and death of Lord Byron ensures an eternal link between Newstead and Hucknall and we’re delighted to be playing in Hucknall as part of our Christmas concert programme and at the end of the Christmas Carnival week when everyone is looking forward to the coming celebration.”

Tickets cost £5 and can be reserved via the band website or by calling 0115 952 7435. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For those looking for something a little different the band will also be playing at Lakeside Tower Restaurant near Arnold on Sunday Evening, December 8th from 7.00 pm onwards as part of a ‘Music and Dining’ evening with music from the band interspersing a 3 course festive meal.  Contact Lakeside tower on 0115 967 1444 for more details.

Newstead Brass ‘Full House’ of awards in Leicester Contest

Newstead Brass are looking forward to Christmas after the early present of a clean sweep of all the available awards at the prestigious ‘Leicestershire Open’ Brass Band Contest.  They took first prize in the championship section, the award for ‘best trombone’ section and principal euphonium Lynden Cooper collected the trophy for ‘best instrumentalist’.

The popular contest, held in Loughborough on 24th November, attracted over 70 entries from across the Midlands, East Anglia, London and the South East as well as the Tertnes band from Norway. Eleven bands competed in the highest graded Championship section.  Adjudicator Peter Bassano commented that there were 6 ‘very good’ performances, but his final result gave Newstead Brass and their musical director Duncan Beckley first place with 192 points from 200, 2 ahead of runners up the Ratby Band from Leicestershire with the final ‘podium’ place going to Derwent Brass from Derbyshire. 

Newstead’s chosen piece ‘Variations on an Enigma’ by Philip Sparke provided a stern technical challenge for the band, but also gave the soloists a chance to shine with the contributions of Lynden Cooper (principal euphonium) and the trombone section (Tim Mossad, Kevin Stewart and Dave Oswin) being recognised with their special awards 

Band spokesman Mike Allcock commented, “As always, our Musical Director Duncan Beckley put a lot of work into preparing the band and it’s earned this excellent reward.  This adds to our first prize at Oxford in January and third place in the Bolsover Entertainments.  We’re now looking forward to our Christmas and some well attended concerts to reward our contest success.”

Newstead brass Christmas Concerts begin with ‘A Christmas Festival’ in Hucknall Central Methodist Church at 7.30 pm on Saturday December 7th with their guests the Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir.  Tickets are £5 and can be reserved via the band website, from the church on Saturday mornings or during Carnival Night (December 4th) or by calling call 0115 952 7439.  Tickets will also be available at the door. 

The band also have Christmas appearances in Arnold, Kirkby, Nottingham and Shirebrook, see the band events calendar for details.

Adjudicator's Comments: Leicester Contest 2013

I don't usually include these on the website, but these remarks from Peter Bassano are definitely worth sharing!

"This was a very persuasive musical performance - technically close to perfect with a wide range of dynamics and catalogue of impressive solos.  A delight to listen to."

No Tricking, Enjoy a Musical Treat on October 31st

There’s a musical treat in Nottingham on October 31st (Halloween) when three of the area’s leading amateur music groups are joined by some of Gedling’s finest emerging vocal talent for an ‘Evening of Music and Song’ at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall.

The concert will feature the award winning Newstead Brass band and over 200 voices from the Bestwood and Carlton Male Voice Choirs and a United Schools' Choir from Gedling area primary and secondary schools.  Each group perform a short selection showcasing its particular talents and then all the groups will join together for selection of ‘joint items’, concluding with a traditional ‘Proms’ finale including ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. 

This charity concert is supporting the 'Lewis Mighty Fund', part of the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust commitment to helping children with cancer across the East Midlands. Tickets are just £10 and are available from the Royal Concert Hall Box Office (0115 989 5555) or from the band and participating choirs.

Newstead Brass in Entertainment Festival Prizes Again

There were glowing comments from adjudicator David Read OBE as Newstead Brass’ took third prize in the championship section of the Bolsover Festival of Brass held at Heritage High School, Clowne on Sunday 6th October.

Billed by organisers Bolsover District Council as ‘Great Britain’s largest brass band entertainment contest’, this year’s festival featured over 40 bands each performing a 20 minute ‘concert style’ programme.

Nine bands took part in the championship section. Judge David Read OBE, complimented all the bands and soloists on their playing but emphasised the need for a variety of dynamic and rhythmic contrast across the programme. 

Newstead were awarded the Mercury Newspaper Trophy.  Top prize went to the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band with local rivals Thoresby Colliery just one point ahead in runners-up position.

A band spokesman commented, “We’ve entered this festival 4 times in the last 5 years and are delighted to have finished in the prizes on every occasion, endorsing the band’s quality and entertainment value which concert audiences can depend on.”

Newstead Brass will be featuring much of their prize winning programme in ‘An Evening of Music and Song’ at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Thursday 31st October.  The band will be joined by over 200 voices from the Bestwood and Carlton Male Voice Choirs and a United Schools' Choir.  This charity concert is supporting the 'Lewis Mighty Fund', helping children with cancer across the East Midlands. Tickets are just £10 and are available from the Royal Concert Hall Box Office or from the band and participating choirs.

Newstead brass ‘Going to the Dogs’ to help blind

Award winning Newstead Brass will let their playing ‘go to the dogs’ when they perform for the Guide Dogs Association East Midlands Fun Day in Nottingham next Sunday, September 8th. 

The Guide Dogs are an action-packed celebration of the UK’s 4,700 guide dog partnerships and the life-changing mobility they provide.  Everyone from dog lovers to families wanting a fun day out will be taken on a ‘journey’ through the care and training of a guide dog, the extraordinary relationship between a guide dog and its owner, and the work that goes in to making that partnership possible.

The Nottingham Fun Day is taking place at Woodthorpe Park in Nottingham from 11.00 am.  Newstead Brass will be playing for the opening and again at intervals during the event which continues until 3.00 pm and will feature a fun dog show, arena displays, bouncy castle, children’s rides, candy floss, stalls and games.

A band spokesman commented, “We’re delighted to be supporting Guide Dogs on their fun day and hope it helps to raise lots of money to support their vital and wonderful work.”

Tickets have now gone on sale for ‘An Evening of Music and Song’ at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Thursday 31st October.  Newstead Brass Band will be joined by and over 200 voices from the Bestwood and Carlton Male Voice Choirs with a United Schools' Choir.  This charity concert is supporting the 'Lewis Mighty Fund', helping children with cancer across the East Midlands. Tickets are just £10 and are available from the Royal Concert Hall Box Office or from the band and participating choirs.