Newstead Brass Sounding Out for Festive Season

Newstead brass will be adding their traditional sound of brass at Christmas with performances across Nottingham during the festive season including the Gedling Civic Carol Service and their own 'Christmas in Brass' concert.

This Saturday, December 12th, sees the band join with Carlton Male Voice Choir for a Christmas Concert supporting the Mayor of Gedling's annual appeal.  The concert starts at 7.00 pm at St Paul's Church, Mansfield Road, Daybrook.  Admission is free and a collection will be taken for the mayor, Councillor Meredith Lawrence, charity 'We R Here'. The event lasts just over an hour with items by the band and choir and carols for the audience.

On the following Thursday, December 17th, Newstead Brass present 'Christmas in Brass', a concert of seasonal favourites, at the Diamond Centre on Diamond Avenue in Kirkby in Ashfield.  The concert begins at 8.00 pm and admission is £5.  Advance tickets can be obtained from the venue or reserved by calling the band on 0115 9527435 or mailing news@newsteadband.co.uk

A band spokesman said, “Many people associate Christmas with the sound of brass.  We opened our 'season' playing carols at the Nottingham Victoria Centre last Sunday afternoon and it was lovely to see people smiling, singing and spontaneously applauding the group of players from the band.  We're looking forward to these two concerts and encourage people will take the opportunity to enjoy some quality brass band music as part of their Christmas time celebrations.”

Newstead Brass Lead Remembrance across two counties

Newstead brass took part in remembrance events in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire on Sunday 8th November.

On Sunday morning the band led the annual parade from Hucknall Market to the Cenotaph in Titchfield Park. Veterans and youth groups in the parade were joined by hundreds of townspeople for the outdoor service during which the band accompanied the hymns and principal cornet Mathew Hampton played the Last Post and Reveille.

Richard Bullock, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire took the salute as Newstead Brass led the parade back to the Royal British Legion headquarters for dismissal.

Less than 2 hours later the band was back on parade in Kilburn, Derbyshire to lead their parade, predominantly made up of young people from the town’s youth organisations. The band led the parade through the town to the cenotaph where wreaths were laid and Mathew Hampton again played the last post.

A band spokesman said, “Remembrance Sunday is a busy day for most brass bands around the country and we were pleased to be able to join with these two communities in their commemorative events which have taken on additional poignancy as the week’s events have unfolded.”

Those who enjoyed the band’s playing can hear the band again on Friday November 27th when they give a FREE concert at the Diamond Centre on Diamond Avenue in Kirkby in Ashfield from 8.00 pm to 8.45 pm. The concert will conclude an Open Day at this new community centre which is the band’s new rehearsal venue.

A band spokesman added, “The band are delighted to have secured an excellent rehearsal venue at Kirkby’s new Diamond Centre. We hope people will be able to come along hear the band and find out more about what the centre can offer. There will also be information on the band’s Christmas events programme.”

Newstead Brass ‘Back on the Bandstand’

Newstead brass return from a short summer break this weekend with two performances including the chance to hear the band FREE on Nottingham’s Victoria Embankment at 2.00 pm this Sunday, September 6th 2015.

The Victoria Embankment concert is the final event of the Nottingham City Council’s Bands in the parks’ programme for 2015 and visitors will hear the band perform a selection of popular music, including some linked to the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain being marked this month.

On the previous day, Saturday September 5th, the band will be playing at the ‘Wings and Wheels’ Country show and Air Display in Averham, Newark.  All tickets for this event have now been sold.

A band spokesman commented, “The band are looking forward to the weekend after a short break.  The ‘Wings and Wheels’ event will be a new experience for the band and we’re looking forward to entertaining a sell-out crowd with our varied musical selections as well as accompanying some of the aerial displays.  For those who haven’t been able to get ticket there will be more music at the Victoria Embankment on Sunday in a traditional bandstand setting.’

Newstead Brass set to light up Derbyshire skies

The annual ‘Brass Spectacular’ is again set to light up the Derbyshire skies as part of the Ripley Music Festival ‘Proms in Crossley Park’ this Saturday July 18th.  The FREE event starts at 7.30 pm and ends with a Firework Finale accompanied by live music played by the award winning Newstead Brass band.

There will be a variety of music on display during the evening performed on a special festival stage in the park.  ‘Ready Steady 60s’ will play music from the 1960s before Newstead Brass entertain with a range of classic, show and popular brass arrangements and compositions.  The audience will also be encouraged to join in some ‘last night of proms’ favourites.

The concert will end with Newstead Brass’ performing Berlioz’s epic March to the Scaffold from his Symphony Fantastique to accompany the spectacular ‘Firework Finale’.

Admission is free but the audience should bring their own chairs / blankets to sit on and picnics are encouraged.  Food will also be on sale from a ‘burger’ stall run by the Ripley Lions’ club with proceeds going to charity. 

Musical Extravaganza to celebrate Life of Byron

 Newstead Brass join with Hucknall’s Torkard Ensemble for the first time in a musical extravaganza celebrating the life of Lord Byron on the final day of this year’s Byron Festival. The apt venue is the Ada Lovelace Theatre in the John Godber Centre, Ogle Street, Hucknall and the event begins at 7.30 pm on Sunday July 12th.

 The Byron Festival takes place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 12th July and celebrates the life and links of Lord Byron with a mixture of specialist talks and community events.

The Musical Extravaganza will close the 10 day festival in fine style with music ranging from the Romantic era of Byron through to the present day. Admission is £5 and advance tickets can be obtained by calling at the John Godber Centre or calling 0115 963 9633.

A Newstead Brass spokesman commented, “We’re delighted to be part of the Byron Festival again and celebrating the links between Newstead Abbey where Byron lived and Hucknall where he is buried. We’re looking forward to sharing the concert with the Torkard ensemble who have gone from strength to strength since they were founded five years ago. It should be a fitting conclusion to the annual festival.”

No tears as Newstead Brass perform for CRY Charity

Celebrate the longest day as Newstead Brass join with Ashfield Workplace Choir and soprano Sarah Vernon for an evening of Midsummer Melodies in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on Saturday June 20th .  The concert has been arranged by Kirkby Rotary Club in support of CRY, a charity working to reduce Cardiac Risk in Young people.

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) aims to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death.  Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions, offers bereavement support and organises heart screening programmes and funds medical research. Patrons include Sir Ian Botham, Joe Root and Pixie Lott.

Midsummer Melodies takes place at St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Kirkby in Ashfield on Saturday 20th June, starting at 7.15 pm.  Admission is £6 and advance tickets can be obtained from Kirkby Rotary Club members or Neil on 07831 691326.

Newstead brass are one of the area’s leading brass bands and will be providing a varied programme of popular music conducted by Duncan Beckley. They are the current Oxford and Leicester Open Champions.

The Ashfield Workplace Choir started in 2013 and were winners of the Nottinghamshire Hospice Choir of the Year 2014 with their musical director Thea Avison.

Sarah Vernon is a former member of Cantamus and winner of the 2010 Carlton MV Choir ‘Music Makers’ award. She is currently studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

A Newstead Brass spokesman commented, “St. Wilfrid’s a wonderful church with acoustics that support the wonderful sound of brass and choral singing.  We’re delighted to be working with Kirkby Rotary Club and hope that the church will be full to maximise the donation we can make to the work of CRY.”

Newstead set for Arts Week Showcase

Award winning Newstead brass will be playing their part in the upcoming Voluntary Arts Week as part of the SHOWCASE Event being held in Kirkby in Ashfield on Saturday 23rd May.

The band will be holding an 'open rehearsal' at Trinity Centre Point from 3pm to 4pm on Saturday showcasing pieces for their coming summer concert programmes. Their will also be information about forthcoming concert dates and a new commission from local composer James Butterworth-Smith depicting aspects of Kirkby's heritage to be premiered this Autumn.

A band spokesman commented, "Newstead Brass now hold most of our rehearsals in Kirkby so we're pleased to be taking part in the town's showcase event for volunteers week. With such high musical standards people sometimes overlook that Newstead brass band is an amateur organisation with the players and committee volunteering their time for a hobby which requires a lot of time and commitment. We also thank Voluntary Arts England for supporting what we hope will be a popular new musical commission reflecting the area's sporting and mining heritage."

The Kirkby Showcase Event runs from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm with events at Trinity, the Library, the Regent and around the town centre.

Black and Gold get hint of Green as sponsorship fuels development

Newstead brass are pleased to welcome sponsorship by Mansfield based renewable energy company Eco-fuels ltd which aims to further raise the profile of the band and maintain their development as one of the midlands leading amateur music groups.

Eco-fuels is a local business involved in the renewable energy sector, providing fuel for use in wood burning (biomass) boilers.  Managing director Mark Thomas has a particular interest in music and brass bands, and commented:

“We are proud to announce our sponsorship of local community based Newstead Brass Band.  We were keen to support a local not for profit organisation involved in art and culture.  We share an ethos of working to the highest standards and always striving to perform at our best.  Newstead have won a number of awards for their exceptional playing, and we hope that our support will assist them to continue their success.

“We saw this as an opportunity to raise the profile of our renewable energy business and local championship status band Newstead Brass within the local area, and expose the Band to a broader audience.”

The sponsorship deal will see Eco-fuels working with the band to develop brand awareness, including a new website and marketing materials as well as supporting additional performance opportunities across the region.

Eco-fuels have already arranged for the band to perform at the Portland College Spring Fair on Sunday 17th May.  Eco-fuels are based in serviced office accommodation at the college and are keen to support this event which raises funds to help provide support, education and training for people with disabilities.  The college is on Nottingham Road, Mansfield (NG18 4TJ) and the band will be playing from 10.00 am.

Six of the Best for Newstead at Bedworth

Newstead brass were awarded 6th place of the 12 bands in the Championship section of the Midland’s regional championships held ay Bedworth Civic Hall on Sunday March 8th. Adjudicator Alan Morrison wrote “Much to commend here, capturing the flow in general well. Some confident soloists in general but perhaps more risks could be taken to find the detail and musical line.”

The result emphasises Newstead’s established position amongst the leading midland’s brass bands with 7th, 5th and 6th places over the last 3 years in the championships.

A band spokesman commented, “We were a little disappointed with the way we played, it was a good performance but we know we could have played better.  This was the first major contest for the band after appointing our new principal cornet, Mathew Hampton, and principal horn, Jackie Greensted at the beginning of the year and internal player moves into the flugel and principal EEb bass ‘chairs’.  We now feel ready to build on the success of our recent wins at the Leicester and Oxford contests and push on to the next level to regularly be in the ‘top 3’ in the midlands with good performances in the British Open Spring Festival and English Masters later this year.”

Our best wishes to the winners and runners-up, Virtuosi GUS and Desford, as they go on to represent the midlands in the National finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

It was a successful weekend for Newstead’s musical director Duncan Beckley as he also led Horbury Victoria band to second place in section 3 of the Yorkshire championships at Bradford on Saturday March 7th.  They will go forward to the division 1 to 4 national championship finals at Cheltenham in September.

Trio of Trophies for Newstead Brass

Newstead brass gained three trophies at the Oxford & District Winter Open brass band championships held at the Marlborough School, Woodstock on Sunday March 1st, taking the awards for best test-piece, best instrumentalist and best bass (tuba) section, matching their haul on their only previous visit to the contest in 2013.

21 bands from the midlands and south of England took part in the competition, with Newstead one of the 5 bands in the highest ‘Championship’ section, all of whom chose to play Peter Graham’s ‘Torchbearer’, the set piece for the forthcoming regional qualifying rounds of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Adjudicator Frank Renton, well known as the voice of Radio 2’s ‘Listen to the Band’ said that he gave the prize to the band with the most musically coherent performance of the piece.

Newstead Brass were presented with the Frank Grey Shield, donated by Oxford’s then MP for the first contest in 1923, for their winning performance.  Principal cornet Mathew Hampton, in his first contest for the band, received the Hampden shield as the best instrumentalist and the band also collected the Webster Cup for the best bass (tuba) section of the day.

A Newstead band spokesman said, “The trophies are a great reward for the hard work put in by the band and our musical director Duncan Beckley.  Performing in contests is an excellent way of maintaining our musical standards which are seen not just in contests but in our concerts throughout the year.”

Newstead will now be looking to put just a little more polish on their brass in final preparation for the midland championships in Bedworth next Sunday (March 8th) before preparing for their spring and summer concerts.  The band are also looking for further contest success in May at the British Open Brass Band Championships and All English Masters International Contest.

Popular Test Piece Festival Set For Return

Newstead Brass are once again organising an area test piece festival at the Newstead Centre on Saturday, February 21st with bands performing the music set for the Midland region of the National Brass Band Championships.

The Enderby, Shirland, and Kirkby bands are each set to play the music set for its section of the championships as well a march or hymn tune and receive feedback on their performance from experienced brass band adjudicators John Roberts and Duncan Beckley. The first band will play at 7.30 pm. 

A Newstead band spokesman said, “We’ve still space for a band to play the third section piece, ‘Evolution’ and any interested bands or conductors should get in touch as soon as possible by mailing news@newsteadband.co.uk or calling 0115 9527435.  Last year two of the participating bands went on to reach the national finals showing how useful the festival can be as a way of helping bands prepare for the regional contest.  The 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.  .”

The Newstead Centre is on Tilford Road in Newstead (postcode NG15 0BS), and is close to the signposted railway station and easily accessible from M1 Junction 27.  Admission costs £2 at the door.

New moves put band in Good ‘sted’ for 2015

Following the departure of principal cornet James Screaton to the Virtuosi GUS Band, Newstead Brass are pleased to confirm the appointments of Matthew Hampton as principal cornet and Jackie Greensted as solo horn as they prepare for the Midlands championships and a range of contest and concert appearances in 2015.

Previous Solo Horn Blake Tague moves into the Flugelhorn position in a game of musical chairs which has also seen Will O’Brien move from flugel to cornet as he prepares for a career in the armed forces and Ben Armstrong moving from Repiano cornet to EEb Bass. 

These further strengthen the band after new signings in the latter half of 2014.  Phillip White made a welcome return to Newstead Brass’ Front Row bench from Blidworth Band and Frankie France has filled the vacant 3rd Cornet seat transferring from Bestwood Band.   James Findlay joins on 2nd Baritone from Thoresby Colliery Band and Rick Anker completes the trombone section after relocating from the Foss Dyke Band.  Steve Bottomley and James Rennie filled the BBb Bass section joining from Thoresby Colliery and Foresters Brass respectively and the new year also saw Mark Hanson return to the Bass section following a 6 month sabbatical.

A band spokesman commented “Jackie joins us from local rivals Thoresby Colliery band and will link up again with James Findlay and Steve Bottomley who are also former Thoresby players.   She was an integral part of the Horn section that helped Newstead to retain the LBBA Championship Section title in November and has already proved what a top-class player, bandsman and asset she is to us. The band wishes a warm welcome to all our new additions during this exciting time and also record our thanks to James Screaton for his two years as principal cornet of the band and wish him well in his new position.”