Trio of Trophies for Newstead Brass

Newstead brass returned with three trophies from the Oxford & District Winter Open brass band championships held at the Marlborough School, Woodstock on Sunday February 24th, taking the awards for best march, best test-piece and best instrumentalist.

This was the first time this historic contest, established in 1923, had been held for several years and each competing band performed a march and test-piece of their choice.  Newstead, conducted as usual by musical director Duncan Beckley, played the contest march ‘The President’ followed by ‘Harmony Music’, the challenging piece set for this year’s Midland Championships. 

Adjudicator David Hirst commented that only the winning band ‘got to grips with the concepts of the piece’ and awarded Newstead 93 out of 100 for the March section (one point ahead of runners up Regent Brass) and 193 out of 200 for the Test piece (one point ahead of runners up Kidlington).

Newstead Brass received the Frank Grey Shield, donated by Oxford’s then MP for the first contest in 1923, for winning the Test Piece section and the Harry Mortimer trophy for the winning March performance.  To complete the trio of awards, principal euphonium Lynden Cooper received the Hampden shield as the best instrumentalist.

A Newstead band spokesman said, “The trophies are a great reward for the hard work put in by the band and Duncan, our musical director.  Performing in contests is an excellent way of maintaining our musical standards.  Even though there was no prize money on offer, the band showed their commitment by funding the 200 mile round trip from their own pockets.”

Local fans of brass music can see the trophies and hear a reprise of Newstead brass performance of ‘Harmony Music’ at the Midland AreaTest Piece Festival, this Saturday, March 2nd when Newstead will be joined by the Hathern, Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield), Long Eaton and Pleasley bands.  Each band will play one of the five pieces set for the Midland region of the National Brass Band Championships.  The festival is at the John Godber Centre, Ogle Street, Hucknall.  The first performance is at 7.30 pm and admission costs £2.

Festival to Feature Championship Brass

There’s a chance for local music fans to hear some of the best in brass band music when Newstead Brass host a Midland Area Test Piece Festival on Saturday, March 2nd with different bands performing the music set for the Midland region of the National Brass Band Championships. This year the popular festival moves to Hucknall’s John Godber Centre, and the host band will be joined by the Hathern, Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield), Long Eaton and Pleasley bands, with the first performance at 7.30 pm. A  band spokesman said, “This event is a great chance for both brass followers and those with a more general musical interest to come along and experience a variety of pieces from the brass band repertoire.  This year’s selections include a good mixture of technical challenge, beautiful solos and musical excitement.” Admission costs £2 at the door and everyone is welcome.  Tickets can be reserved online or by calling 0115 952 74235