News about Newstead brass

Newstead Brass First Concert of 2012

2012-01-22T20:47:00.002Z

Award winning Newstead Brass start their 2012 concert series this Saturday, January 28th, with a concert of popular music at Kirkby Woodhouse’s St John’s Church.

The event begins at 7.30 pm when Newstead Brass and their musical director Duncan Beckley will present a programme of popular music, including tracks from their new CD ‘Goldcrest’ which will also be available on the night.

Admission is £5 per person (£3 for children) including light refreshments. Tickets can be booked by calling 01623 759094 and will also be available at the door.

The church of St John the Evangelist can be found on Skegby Road at Kirkby Woodhouse, adjacent to the Annesley Woodhouse library, postcode NG17 9BE.

The ‘Goldcrest’ CD is also available via the band website for £11 including delivery

End of Year Treat from Newstead Brass

2011-12-26T11:02:00.004Z

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’

2011-12-20T22:26:00.003Z

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

2011-12-11T22:09:00.004Z

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

2011-12-07T10:02:00.003Z

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.

Newstead Brass Announce Christmas Presence

2011-11-20T22:34:00.000Z

Hucknall is set to host a musical Christmas feast as two of the area's top amateur music groups come together for Newstead Brass’ annual "Sounds Like Christmas" concert at St Mary Magdalene parish church on Monday December 19th at 7.30 pm.

Newstead Brass and musical director Duncan Beckley will be joined by the popular Bestwood Male Voice choir. There will also be carols for the audience. Tickets cost £5 (accompanied children under 12 free) and can be purchased via the band website (www.newsteadband.org.uk/events.html), from band and choir members, or reserved by calling 0115 952 7435.

A band spokesman added, “We’re delighted to once again complete our Christmas programme with a concert at Hucknall Parish Church. Even though the band relocated from Hucknall to Newstead over 20 years ago, the ‘Byron story’ ensures we retain strong links with the town with regular concerts as well as leading the annual remembrance parade.

Other highlights of Newstead’s Christmas programme include the Gedling Borough Council Civic Carol Service at St Paul’s Church, Daybrook, on December 10th (7.00 pm, collection for mayor's charities) and ‘Christmas Brass at The Proms’ at Epperstone Village Hall on Friday December 16th at 7.30 pm (Tickets £12.50 in aid of NSPCC from 07792 341557).

The band’s new CD ‘Goldcrest’ will also be available at all of these concerts. Recording took place at Hucknall Central Methodist Church in October and the finished CD is due to be available by early December, just in time for Christmas present lists!

Web Site Changes

2011-11-20T18:35:00.004Z

Do not adjust your monitors!

The band website has undergone a bit of cleansing to hopefully give it a contemporary look and make it easier to find key information. The 'Events' area has been changed to make it easier to find ticket details and provide 'on-line' booking for some of our concerts. The 'buy' area has also been put in place ready for our new CD 'Goldcrest' due for release in the next couple of weeks or so.

Keep coming back to look for changes, or register on the 'home' screen for occasional e-mails about the band's activities.

Gedling Festival of Remembrance Cancelled

2011-11-03T23:21:00.004Z

Newstead Brass regret that the Mayor of Gedling has cancelled this year's Gedling Festival of Remembrance due to take place on November 19th. The band were notified of this decision on November 1st and no other details have been provided. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Newstead Brass gave a very successful 'Poppy Appeal' concert at Loughborough on November 2nd and will be leading parades in Hucknall and Kilburn on Remembrance Sunday. The band will also be performing at the Gedling Civic Carol Service on December 10th.

Why not take the opportunity to see our friend's James Stretton and Iain Jackson present 'Brassed Up!' at Needwood, near Burton on Trent? See the other events page on the website for details.

Newstead Brass Complete CD Recording

2011-10-24T20:31:00.002+01:00

Newstead Brass and musical director Duncan Beckley have been working hard over the weekend recording tracks for their new CD, due to be available by early December, just in time for your Christmas present lists!

Working with Ben Marshall from Direct Recording Services, the band spent over 5 hours on the afternoons of each of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October recording a variety of pieces designed to appeal to our regular concert audiences and win new admirers.16 tracks were recorded in all, although due to technical constraints not all may make it onto the final release. The selection includes a salvation army march, a hymn tune, two pieces each from young composers Paul Lovatt-Cooper and Dan Price, music from chart, stage and screen and featuring the bands acclaimed soloists.

Our thanks to all at Hucknall Central Methodist Church for use of the church to record, Rob Bushnell for his invaluable input and support, and friends from the brass band world who joined us to make the weekend go so smoothly.

Final track listings and release details will appear on the website over the next few weeks so keep checking back!

Bolsover 2011 Photo Gallery Available

2011-09-20T21:49:00.003+01:00

Photographs of Newstead Brass performing at the Bolsover Festival of Brass are now available on the Events Bolsover 2011 page of the website. Photos taken by Andy Devereux of DevMac.

‘Super Playing’ as Newstead Entertain Again

2011-09-12T22:48:00.005+01:00

‘Super Playing’ described Newstead Brass’ performance as they retained the ‘Best Ex-Colliery Band' trophy and took runners-up position in the championship section of the Bolsover Festival of Brass held at St Mary’s College, Spinkhill in Derbyshire on Sunday 11th September.

Billed by the organisers as the ‘Great Britain’s largest brass band entertainment contest’, the festival featured 28 bands each performing a 20 minute ‘concert style’ programme to a large audience, including civic representatives from across the region.

Seven bands took part in the championship section, judged by Alan Morrison, former principal cornet with the Grimethorpe and Brighouse & Rastrick Bands. He complimented all the bands in the section on their playing and choice of music but emphasised that the three prize-winning bands had shown a consistently high standard of playing throughout their programme. His summary of Newstead’s performance, conducted by musical director Duncan Beckley was ‘A super programme that was so well organised and directed. High entertainment value in a range of styles that was thoroughly enjoyed.’

Newstead were awarded the Wilson Bowden Developments Runners-Up Trophy and the award for the highest placed ex-colliery band. Top prize went to the Jaguar Land Rover Band from Warwickshire and third place to the Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) Band from Shropshire.

A band spokesman commented, “We’re delighted to have finished in the top two at this festival for the third year running, an endorsement of the band’s quality and entertainment value which concert audiences can depend on.”

Local fans can hear ‘Newstead brass’ this Saturday (September 17th) in ‘Brass and Voices at the Palace’ featuring Newstead Brass, Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir, Derbyshire saxophone quartet ‘Imperfect Fifth’ and ‘Four Tubby Tubas’, a top prize winning ensemble from the University of Salford, one of the leading colleges for brass musicians.

Tickets are now on sale, priced at £8, (£7 concessions) from the Mansfield Palace Theatre box office on 01623 633133.

Newstead Brass on National Television

2011-09-05T21:43:00.003+01:00

A short clip of Newstead Brass performing at the 2010 'Headstock Festival' was included in episode 5 of the BBC1 series 'Village SOS' broadcast on Sunday September 4th 2011.

"Sarah Beeny follows a passionate group of locals as they spend a year trying to rescue their community. When the residents of Newstead in Nottinghamshire applied for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to transform a disused mining pit tip into a country park they had no idea what was in store."

You can watch the episode on the BBC i-player until 25th September. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014b7f5#synopsis for more details. [Newstead Brass appear at around 29 mins 10 seconds into the programme...]

Newstead Brass Are Blooming Wonderful!

2011-08-28T21:32:00.002+01:00

‘The best entertainment we’ve ever had’ was a frequent comment from delegates to the annual assembly of NAFAS, the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, when Newstead Brass performed for them at Nottingham University on Tuesday August 23rd.

The band, with guest conductor James Stretton, gained a host of new admirers with a typical Newstead Brass programme demonstrating once again the band’s ability to provide entertainment matched by few other ensembles. High quality playing from the band and soloists enhanced by effective presentation and choreography received a deserved standing ovation, even if the ‘Floral Dance’ was the obvious encore for an evening which will long be remembered by the band and audience.

Newstead Brass Set for Palace Appointment

2011-08-15T22:05:00.002+01:00

Award winning Newstead Brass lead the bill for an evening of musical variety at the Mansfield Palace Theatre on Saturday September 17th.

‘Brass and Voices at the Palace’ features leading local and national musical groups as Newstead Brass are joined by Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir, Derbyshire saxophone quartet ‘Imperfect Fifth’ and ‘Four Tubby Tubas’, a top prize winning ensemble from the University of Salford, one of the leading colleges for brass musicians.

This event follows on from the critically acclaimed and audience pleasing production of ’Brassed Off’ by the Mansfield Community Theatre Group with Newstead Brass at the Mansfield Palace Theatre earlier this year.

Tickets are now on sale, priced at £8, (£7 concessions) from the Mansfield Palace Theatre box office on 01623 633133.

Newstead Brass Fired up for Festival Fireworks

2011-07-10T20:47:00.001+01:00

There’s Swing, Skiffle and the finest in brass lined up for the fantastic FREE ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’, part of the Ripley Music Festival, on Saturday July 16th commencing at 7.15 pm and ending with a Firework Finale accompanied by live music from the award winning Newstead Brass band.

The concert will begin with young musicians from South East Derbyshire Music Centre Swing Band followed by skiffle stars ‘Please Y Self’ who have been entertaining audiences around the world for over 30 years. Newstead Brass will entertain with a range of Classic Rock and lively recent brass compositions before leading the audience in a couple of ‘last night of proms’ favourites.

The concert closes with Newstead Brass’ musical accompaniment to the ‘Firework Finale’ as dusk falls across the park which this year has an ‘Italian Journey’ theme featuring Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’ (now best known as the theme music to ‘The Apprentice’) and Respighi’s ‘Pines of Rome’.

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.

Picnics and Proms with Newstead Brass

2011-06-27T21:41:00.002+01:00

Picnics are welcome as award winning Newstead Brass focus on ‘Picnics and Proms’ as their Summer concert season continues across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

This Saturday (July 2nd), Newstead Brass play a ‘Summer Proms’ night at the Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club, starting at 7.00pm. The event is organised by the Hilltoppers Golf Society, and proceeds will support their joint appeal with Hucknall Rotary Club to purchase a state of the art Prismaflex machine for the Children’s Intensive Care Unit at Nottingham’s Queen's Medical Centre. Tickets cost £7.50 and the audience are invited to ‘bring your picnic, chairs, flags and bunting and have a great sing song.’

On Sunday July 10th, Newstead Brass will return to the ‘Picnic in the Park’ organised by the ‘Friends of Nottingham University’ in the Millennium Garden at the university from noon until 3.00 pm. As well as music by the band, the free event also includes Rocket Making, Pond Dipping and Birds of Prey demonstration.

Newstead Brass complete their Picnics and Proms, which began on June 25th with the annual ‘Picnic in the Park’ at Hayes Farm in Newstead to support the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children, with the ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’ at Ripley on Saturday July 16th. Newstead Brass will be joined by the skiffle group ‘Please Y Self’ for the annual free event which forms part of the Ripley Music Festival and will conclude with a firework display accompanied by live music from Newstead Brass.

Newstead Getting Brassed Off!

2011-06-05T22:33:00.002+01:00

Newstead Brass are getting ‘Brassed Off’ as they join with the Mansfield Palace Community Theatre group this week for four performances of the heart-warming tale of ‘Gloria and the Grimley Colliery Band’. The play has been adapted by Paul Allen from the famous film screenplay by Mark Herman.

The story is one the Newstead band can well relate to after they were forced to relocate from Hucknall to Newstead in 1988 following closure of local collieries and associated miners welfares. Many of the band’s players also took part in the professional national tour of ‘Brassed Off’ in 1999.

A band spokesman commented, “Newstead Brass are always keen to work with local community groups and this looks like being a great production which will hopefully introduce the band to new audiences.”

Performances take place at the Mansfield Palace Theatre (Leeming Street, NG18 1NG) from Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th June at 7.30 pm each evening with a 2.30 pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets cost £6.50 each and can be obtained by calling 01623 633133 or www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre.

Brass Premiere for Byron Festival

2011-06-04T00:28:00.000+01:00

Newstead Brass are set to give the premiere of ‘A Nottinghamshire Suite’ as part of a concert for the International Byron Festival in Hucknall tonight (June 4th).

The piece has been composed by band member Andrew Stevenson and depicts ‘Sherwood Forest’, ‘War of the Roses’ and ‘Newstead Abbey’.

A band spokesman commented, “The Byron Festival seems a very apt opportunity to premiere Andrew’s first extended work for the band, particularly as Newstead Abbey was Byron’s family home."

The concert is being held in the Lovelace Theatre within the John Godber Centre on Ogle Street in Hucknall, commencing at 7.30 pm and tickets cost £5 each.

The concert comes at a busy time for Newstead Brass, which was recently placed fifth in the ‘All England Masters International Brass Band Championships’. Next week (June 9th to 11th) the band will appear with Mansfield Community Theatre in ‘Brassed Off’ at the Mansfield Palace Theatre. Performances take place at 7.30 pm each evening with a matinee on Saturday afternoon. Contact the box office on 01623 633133 for ticket details.

Newstead Brass show class in English Masters

2011-05-29T22:31:00.004+01:00

Newstead Brass recorded another impressive contest result with a top five finish in the prestigious ‘All England Masters International Brass Band Championships’ held at Kettering’s Lighthouse Theatre on Sunday May 29th.

20 bands from across England, Wales. North America, Belgium and Denmark accepted invitations to take part in the contest. Adjudicators David Read, Dennis Wilby and Ronald Holz found much to praise in the band’s performance of the specially commissioned test piece ‘Gemini’ by Darrol Barry and awarded the band, conducted by Musical Director Duncan Beckley, fifth place. First prize went to British Open champions Tredegar with Midlands champions Virtuosi GUS taking the runners up spot.

Newstead Brass’ next performances is on Saturday June 4th at 7.30 pm at Hucknall’s John Godber Centre for the International Byron Festival (Tickets £5, call 0115 9639633). The band are also appearing with Mansfield Community Theatre in ‘Brassed Off’ at the Mansfield Palace Theatre from 9th to 11th June (Tickets £6, call 01623 633133) and for ‘Picnic in the Park’ at Hayes Farm on Saturday 25th of June in support of the ‘Friends of Chernobyl’s Children’(Call 0115 9639434 for details).

Newstead Brass are also collecting vouchers for the Nottingham Post ‘Cash for your Community’ scheme. Vouchers can be donated at band appearances.

Help Newstead Share in £35,000 Cash Giveaway

2011-05-22T21:54:00.005+01:00

Newstead Brass are one of 300 local organisations set to benefit from a share of the Nottingham Post's £35,000 ‘Cash for your Community’ campaign.

The £35,000 will be shared based on how many coupons each group collect from the newspaper between Wednesday, May 25 and Friday, June 17.

The more coupons we collect, the more money we will receive.

Please collect as many coupons. Pass them to a band member, bring them to our concert on June 4th or 'Brassed Off' from June 9th to 11th, drop them in the collecting box at the Newstead Centre or ring 0115 9527435.

Grand visit to Blackpool

2011-05-15T18:17:00.004+01:00

Newstead Brass consolidated their position amongst the country's leading brass bands with a mid-table finish in the Grand Shield qualifying contest for the 'British Open Brass Band Championships held in Blackpool on May 14th 2012.

Drawn to play second of 20 competitors facing the immense musical challenges of Hermann Pallhuber's 'Titan's Progress' , adjudicators David Read and Frank Renton complemented the band and musical director Duncan Beckley' for 'many good things' in the performance, but in a highly competitive event Newstead were placed 15th overall. The top 2 bands (Reg Vardy and Flowers) gained promotion to the British Open Championships at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in September.

A spokesperson added, "The band played well on a tremendously difficult piece. Although we're disappointed in the final placing, this was a solid performance from the band and confirms our status in the Grand Shield, a fantastic record for a community based band dependent on income from subscriptions and engagements to finance its contest activities."

Newstead’s Brass Converts to Pounds for Charities

2011-04-25T21:53:00.003+01:00

An ‘Evening Music and Song’ helped raise over £1,750 for the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Nottingham Emmanuel House Day Centre for the homeless.

Newstead Brass, the North Midland’s leading brass band were joined by Lucy Hall (Soprano) and Andy Ward (Tenor) for the concert at Beeston’s Chilwell Road Methodist Church on Saturday April 16th. The concert was introduced by broadcaster Colin Slater MBE and promoted by the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club with financial support from Paul Clements Shelton & Co, Baldwin Cox, Ideas Kitchens and Westerman builders.

A large and appreciative audience, including visitors from Germany, enjoyed a varied high quality programme from the band and the two vocal soloists, accompanied by Karen Sneade. Music performed ranged from orchestral and operatic classics to twenty-first century compositions and ended with the audience joining all the performers for ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Jerusalem’.

After celebrating St George’s Day at a private event for members of the Kirkby U3A, Newstead brass’ focus now moves to the ‘British Open Spring Festival’ and ’English Masters’ brass band competitions taking place in May as well as preparing for a busy series of summer concerts including the International Byron Festival at Hucknall’s John Godber Centre on June 4th and joining with Mansfield Community Theatre to perform ‘Brassed Off’ at the Mansfield Palace theatre from June 9th to 11th.

James at home as he takes the baton

2011-04-25T21:38:00.008+01:00

With musical director Duncan Beckley taking advantage of the school holidays for a well deserved short break, Newstead Brass were pleased to welcome Kirkby-in-Ashfield based James Stretton to conduct the band for the first, but hopefully not last, time at a private St George's Day dinner for the Kirkby-in-Ashfield Univeristy of the Third Age (U3A) group.

James will be familiar to those who attended the band's New Years concert through his multi-instrumental touring performances of 'Brassed Up'. Some of his 'Brassed Up' videos can be found on this Newstead brass news page.

Newstead Brass hoping for Rainbows' Pot of Gold

2011-04-04T20:54:00.005+01:00

Newstead Brass are aiming for a pot of gold when they perform later this month to support both the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Emmanuel House Day Centre for the homeless. An ‘Evening Music and Song’, at Chilwell Road Methodist Church in Beeston on Saturday April 16th at 7.30 pm will feature Newstead Brass, Lucy Hall (Soprano) and Andy Ward (Tenor). Broadcaster Colin Slater MBE will compere the event which is promoted by the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club. Tickets cost £7.50 from the venue (0115 9431164) or at the door. A band spokesman added, “We’re pleased to be supporting the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club in this annual event alongside two very fine vocalists. The concert will feature a wide variety of music with something to appeal to everyone with two very worthwhile causes set to benefit.”

Consistent Newstead Brass miss out on National Finals

2011-03-16T22:48:00.002Z

Newstead Brass’ consistent high standards saw the band retain their position as one of the Midlands top brass bands with fourth place at the Midland’s Championships for a second consecutive year, narrowly missing out on qualification for the National Brass Band Championship finals.

76 bands took part in this year’s Midland championships, with 12, including Newstead, in the highest ‘championship’ section. Adjudicators Philip Harper and Peter Bassano spoke in detail about the test piece, ‘Paganini Variations’ by Philip Wilby, and what they and the composer were looking for in the music, with the best performances not only meeting the technical demands of the music but also reflect ‘the wild and romantic spirit of Paganini’s life’. Two national finals qualification places were available and these went to the Virtuosi GUS band (Northamptonshire) and runners-up Thoresby Colliery. Third place went to Desford Colliery leaving Newstead in fourth place.

Each band also received written remarks from the judges, with Newstead’s performance drawing particular praise for musical director Duncan Beckley. Comments included ‘[a] thoughtful, well considered reading, wonderfully played’ and ‘a performance with a super musicality to it.’

A band spokesperson commented ‘Our good wishes to all the bands that will represent the Midlands in the National finals this autumn. Particular thanks and congratulations to those bands that supported our Test Piece Festival at the Newstead Centre in February. The Hathern Band, finished as runners up in section 1 and qualify for the finals and Shirebrook band finished fourth in section 2, narrowly missing out on a finals place.’

Newstead Brass will still be making a visit to the National Championships this year, as they will be joining with Mansfield Community Theatre in June of this year for performances of ‘Brassed Off’, the play in which the Grimley Colliery brass are determined to win the British Championship at the Albert Hall.

Duncan Beckley wins Yorkshire Championships

2011-03-06T21:06:00.003Z

Congratulations to Newstead's musical director Duncan Beckley on leading Horbury Victoria band to first place in section 3 of the Yorkshire regional brass band championships at Bradford's St George's Hall on Sunday March 6th.

Horbury played first of the 12 entrants and stayed in the lead to take first place and qualify for the National finals at Cheltenham in September.

The set piece was 'A Little Night Music' by Philip Wilby. Newstead Brass and Duncan Beckley will be hoping for a repeat next Sunday, March 13th, when they take part in the championship section of the Midlands regional championships on another Philip Wilby piece, 'Paganini Variations.'

Fine Feedback for Festival Five

2011-02-28T17:17:00.002Z

Over 250 players, supporters and brass enthusiasts joined together at the Newstead Centre on Sunday, February 27th, for the ‘Midland Area Test Piece Festival’ when five of the North Midland area’s prize winning brass bands performed the five pieces of music set for the regional qualifying rounds of the 2011 National Brass Band Championships.

Hosts Newstead Brass under musical director Duncan Beckley played the championship set piece, ‘Paganini Variations’ and were joined by Hathern (David Newman, section 1, ‘Carnival Romain’), Shirebrook (Mark Wilcockson, section 2, ‘Resurgam’), Long Eaton (Sharon Stansfield, section 3, ‘A Little Night Music’) and Whitwell (Lynden Cooper, section 4, ‘Prelude, Song and Dance’). Each band also played a hymn tune setting of its own choice.

Experienced adjudicator John Roberts listened to all the performances and gave feedback to the bands and audience on what he had heard. He complemented all the bands, conductors and soloists on the standard of playing achieved, indicating that they should all do well at the forthcoming Midlands Championships in Bedworth on March 12th and 13th. He also gave advice on further improvements each band could make in the remaining two weeks of rehearsals and announced his ‘best soloist’ of the night as Jayne Jones, principal euphonium of the Shirebrook Band.

A Newstead band spokesperson said, “Our thanks to the trustees and staff of the Newstead Centre for helping to make this possible, the bands and conductors for their preparation and participation and all those who came along to listen, including many who may never have heard brass band contest music before. Good luck to all the participating bands at the ‘area’.”

Five to Feature in Festival Brass

2011-02-20T20:34:00.005Z

Five of the North Midland area’s prize winning brass bands will feature in a ‘Midland Area Test Piece Festival’ next Sunday, February 27th featuring the music set for the regional qualifying round of the National Brass Band Championships.

Hosts Newstead Brass will be joined by bands from Hathern, Long Eaton, Shirebrook and Whitwell at the Newstead Centre, on Tilford Road (NG15 0BU near the railway station) with the first performance at 7.00 pm.

Admission costs just £1 at the door and everyone is welcome to come along. There will be a bar and refreshments available.

A Newstead 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 some classic pieces from the brass band repertoire.”

For more details please see www.newsteadband.co.uk/tpfestival11.html

Website technical issues

2011-02-20T14:45:00.003Z

Apologies for the disruption to the www.newsteadband.co.uk website on Monday and Tuesday 21st and 22nd February. This was due to changes to our web-hosting package which have now been completed and normal service has (hopefully) been resumed.

Newstead Make Contest Progress with Titans

2011-02-07T21:52:00.005Z

Newstead Brass opened their 2011 contest season with a solid performance at the prestigious ‘Brass at the Guild’ competition which attracted 40 bands to the Preston Guild Hall on Sunday February 6th.

Newstead played 4th of the 12 bands in the ‘Championship Section’ and chose to give an early run-out to Titan’s Progress by Hermann Pallhuber, the set piece for this year’s Grand Shield competition at Blackpool in May. This immensely challenging piece, based on a theme by Mahler, was originally used at the British Open Brass Band Championship finals in 2009.

Musical director Duncan Beckley led a good performance by the band which drew positive comments from many in the audience and was awarded 6th place by adjudicator David Horsfield. Top prize went to Pemberton Old Wigan DW with runners up Felling from the north-east and the third prize to the Hammonds Saltaire band.

Our special thanks to former principal euphonium Simon Rotchell who returned at less than a week’s notice to stand in for Lynden Cooper, recovering from a recent road accident, as well as Rob, John and Minesh who helped us for this event.

The band now focus on the Midlands area championships in March and the test piece preview evening at the Newstead Centre from 7.00 pm on Sunday February 27th when Newstead will be joined by bands from Hathern, Long Eaton, Shirebrook and Whitwell with each band playing the music set for its grade of the championship as well a hymn tune.

Festival to Feature Championship Brass

2011-01-30T17:19:00.002Z

There’s a chance for local music fans to hear some of the best in brass band music when the Midland Area Test Piece Festival takes place at the Newstead Centre on Sunday, February 27th with five different bands performing the music set for the Midland region of the National Brass Band Championships.

The event will feature hosts Newstead Brass together with bands from Hathern, Long Eaton, Shirebrook and Whitwell. Each band will play the music set for its grade of the championship as well a hymn tune and receive feedback on their performance from experienced brass band adjudicator Mr John Roberts.

The first band will play at 7.00 pm with each band following on at approximately half hourly intervals. Admission costs just £1 at the door and everyone is welcome to come along. There will be a bar and refreshments available.

A Newstead band spokesman said, “The music for this year’s championships is challenging to the players but accessible to a non-brass band audience with music by 20th century composers Philip Wilby (including his ‘Paganini Variations’ based on the famous melody from his 24th Caprice ) and John Golland, Salvationist Eric Ball and the brass band transcription of Berlioz’s ‘Carnival Romain’. It’s a great chance for both brass followers and those with a more general musical interest to come along and experience some classic pieces from the brass band repertoire.”

The Newstead Centre is on Tilford Road, Newstead, Nottinghamshire, NG15 0BU near the railway station.

Around 80 bands will compete in the Midland region brass band championships in Bedworth over the weekend of 12th and 13th March with the winners progressing to the national finals in London and Harrogate in the autumn.

For more information on the music to be played, see the test piece festival page of the website.

New look for Newstead brass website

2011-01-09T23:05:00.004Z

2011 has started with a minor face lift for the band website which will hopefully make it easier to use and faster to find the information you need about how to book the band or find out where we're performing.

Most pages now give details of coming events and the home page now has a link to the band's facebook page plus a special area for messages for band players. The News page has been enhanced with for latest UK band news headlines from 4barsrest and videos of both Newstead Brass and our friends Jim and Ian from 'Brassed Up'. Future plans include more photographs of the band, band history and a guestbook for audience feedback.

If you have any comments on the changes, please mail news@newsteadband.co.uk

Full House Enjoy Newstead New Year Treat

2011-01-03T22:40:00.001Z

Newstead Brass and their musical director Duncan Beckley entertained a ‘full house’ when ‘Newstead Played Big Band’ at the Newstead Centre on Sunday, January 2nd 2011 with the capacity audience also enjoying the music of ‘Brassed Up’ and the ‘Imperfect Fifth’ saxophone quartet and celebrating the winners of the band’s 2010 awards.

Newstead brass’ selections focussed on big band favourites and featured many of the band’s soloists – Dave Bird (Soprano), Kirk Turner, Blake Tague, Andrew Stevenson (cornets), Michael Cordon (Flugel), Sandra Kowalenko (Horn), Claire Taylor (trombone) and Lynden Cooper (Euphonium). The second half of the programme saw both band and musical director appear dressed as ‘Heroes and Villains’ with the programme including suitable music from Phantom of the Opera, Batman and James Bond adding to the occasion.

James Stretton (brass multi-instrumentalist) and Iain Jackson (piano) performed some of their ‘Brassed Up’ programme and ‘wowed’ the audience with Jazz and updated classical transcriptions including ‘The Barber of Seville’ played by Jim on 13 different brass instruments and the piano. Videos of 'Brassed Up' are now available on the right hand side of the 'news' page of the Newstead website.

‘Imperfect Fifth’ performed as a saxophone quartet and these talented young musicians, who met at the South East Derbyshire Music Centre, enhanced their growing reputation with rag, jazz and swing selections.

The evening also included the presentation of the band’s annual awards including thanks for Lynden Cooper (bandmaster and concert compere) and Melanie Cooper (band manger) for their work throughout 2010. Duncan Beckley’s award was shared between Mike Allcock and Carol Hanson for their ‘behind the scenes’ work throughout the year and the ‘players player of the year’ went to Kirk Turner (principal cornet).

A band spokesman added, “We’ve made this end-of-year fun concert night an annual part of our programme each year since December 1999, but this year’s concert was one of the best so far.”

New Year Treat from Newstead Brass

2010-12-21T23:34:00.004Z

Newstead Brass will be joined by two special guest groups for a musical new year treat in their annual end-of-year concert on Sunday, January 2nd 2011 at 8.00 pm featuring popular music in the ‘Big Band’ style.

Award winning Newstead Brass will perform ‘Newstead Plays Big Band’ at the Newstead Centre on Tilford Road in Newstead with the support of ‘Brassed Up’ and ‘Imperfect Fifth’.

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.

They will be joined by ‘Brassed Up’, a talented duo with a national reputation who present a musical journey through the sounds of up to 25 different brass instruments (from piccolo trumpet to bass tuba) and the piano. The evening will also see a return for ‘Imperfect Fifth’, the young saxophone quintet formed at South East Derbyshire Music Centre which has proved popular with the band’s audiences over the last few years.

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 looks likely to be one of the best so far and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an evening that’s sure to play a great part in their new year celebrations. Even though we’ve been joined by our friends ‘Brassed Up’ and ‘Imperfect Fifth’ we’re holding the ticket price at £3, great value for an entertaining night out.”

Admission is just £3 payable at the door. Advance tickets can be reserved by calling 0115 952 7435 or via the band website.

Christmas Feast of Brass and Voice

2010-12-12T22:42:00.003Z

Hucknall is set to host a musical Christmas feast as two of the areas top amateur music groups come together to create ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ at St Mary Magdalene parish church on Monday December 20th.

Newstead Brass, winners of this year’s Bolsover Brass Festival and ranked 26th in England will be joined by the Eastwood Collieries Male Voice choir which has an enviable reputation for the quality of its sound and singing. There will also be carols for the audience to sing with the band and choir. ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ begins at 7.30 pm on Monday December 20th. Tickets cost £5 (accompanied children under 16 free) and can be reserved via the website or by calling 0115 952 7435. Tickets will also be available at the door.

A band spokesman added, “We’re delighted to once again complete our Christmas programme with a concert at Hucknall Parish Church. Even though the band relocated from Hucknall to Newstead over 20 years ago, the ‘Byron story’ ensures we retain strong links with the town with regular concerts as well as leading the annual remembrance parade.

Newstead Brass have also confirmed their annual ‘Newstead Plays (more than) Big Band’ night will take place at the Newstead Centre on Sunday January 2nd at 8.00 pm when their guests will be ‘Brassed Up’, (incredibly versatile brass and piano duo). Tickets cost £3 and will be on sale at all Christmas concerts or by calling 0115 952 7435.

Christmas is Coming for Newstead Brass

2010-12-05T22:04:00.002Z

Newstead Brass start their Christmas concerts this week with ‘Festive Favourites’ in Kirkby Woodhouse on Friday December 10th.

The evening will combine audience favourites from the band’s wide repertoire with music and carols associated with this festive time of year. The concert takes place at St John’s Church, Kirkby Woodhouse at 7.30 pm and admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and tickets will be available at the door.

Tickets are also available for the band’s ‘Sounds Like Christmas’ concert (£5) at Hucknall’s St Mary Magdalene Church on Monday December 20th at 7.30 pm with special guests Eastwood Male Voice Choir and Newstead Plays Big Band’ (£3) at the Newstead Centre on Sunday January 2nd at 8.00 pm. Tickets can be purchased via the band website or by calling 0115 952 7435.

Hucknall Christmas Tree Festival 2010

2010-11-30T22:37:00.007Z

A black and gold tree (reflecting the band's colours) was one of the winning exhibits at Hucknall's first ever Christmas Tree Festival which featured nearly 50 trees at the Parish church of St Mary Magdalene on Hucknall Market Place.

The festival opened at 6 pm on Wednesday 1st December, even though the Christmas Carnival had to be cancelled due to the weather and continued on Thursday and Friday with the final chance to visit on Saturday morning. Free admission and the availability of light refreshments ensured there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the event.

Newstead Brass will present their 'Sounds Like Christmas' at the church on Monday 20th December at 7.30 pm with special guests Eastwood Male Voice Choir.

Christmas at the Proms Tickets

2010-11-21T21:36:00.004Z

Newstead Brass are delighted to once again be supporting the NSPCC with 'Christmas at the Proms' at Woodborough Village Hall on Friday December 17th at 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale and selling quickly, so please contact Amanda on 07792 341557 to buy / reserve yours as soon as possible. Prices are £12.50 adults, £6.50 for Children.

Ticket details for Newstead Brass' other Christmas concerts will be announced shortly.

Remember, Remember, Throughout November

2010-11-07T22:07:00.001Z

Newstead Brass began a busy month of 'Remembering' with the Royal British Legion ‘Poppy Appeal’ concert at Loughborough Town Hall on Wednesday November 3rd joining with singer Diane Sharp and the Carlton Male Voice Choir.

Next weekend (November 14th) Newstead Brass will lead Remembrance Sunday parades at Hucknall, Nottingham in the morning and Kilburn, Derbyshire in the afternoon.

On Saturday 20th November, Newstead Brass will appear as guests of Kirkby Light Operatic Society in ‘Thanks for the Memory’, a musical celebration of the songs of some of the most popular stars of yesterday and today. This concert starts at 7.00 pm at Ashfield School in Kirkby in Ashfield. Tickets cost £6 and more information can be obtained by calling 01623 457249.

The band end the month with the Gedling Festival of Remembrance at Carlton Forum Leisure Centre on Saturday November 27th when they will again be joined by Carlton Male Voice Choir and other performers to support both the Royal British Legion and the Mayor’s Charities.

A band spokesman added, “We’re delighted that Newstead Brass continues to be popular with concert organisers and audiences. They can be sure of an entertaining and quality performance from the band as shown by our recent top prize in ‘the world’s biggest and best Festival of Brass competition’.”

Standing Ovation at St. James'

2010-10-29T22:25:00.004+01:00

Newstead Brass gained a standing ovation at the end of 'Music at St James'' as part of a weekend away in Cheshire and North Wales (23rd and 24th October).

A large audience enjoyed the Saturday concert at St James' Church in Christleton on the outskirts of Chester which included a variety of items from the band showing their versatility as they swapped from orchestral transcriptions to swing, rock, hymn settings and original works for brass band. The band also enjoyed their meal at the Ring O' Bells in the village and the drinks and cakes after the concert! Thank you to everyone who came along and especially those involved in organising the event.

On the Sunday the band travelled on to Prestatyn on the North wales coast to take part in the Pontin's Brass band Championships. Unfortunately the band's performance of Bram Gay's challenging transcription of 'Les Preludes' by Liszt failed to find the approval of the judges who placed the band 11th of the 15 performances. The Marsden Band from west Yorkshire took the title with former Newstead player Dale Garner taking the award for best soloist in the contest.

Headstock Festival Nominated for National Award

2010-10-25T20:07:00.003+01:00

The HEADSTOCK music festival, which took place at the Newstead and Annesley Country Park on September 11th and was opened by Newstead Brass has been shortlisted for the 'best new festival' title in the annual UK Festival award to be presented at The O2 Arena on November 18.

The winning festival will be the one with the most public votes. To support Newstead's bid to win, please vote at uk.festivalawards.com before October 27.

Chester Song at Twilight?

2010-10-17T22:47:00.002+01:00

Newstead Brass, winners of ‘the world’s biggest and best Festival of Brass competition’, are visiting Chester this Saturday evening as part of a busy weekend that may also see them singing ‘We do Like to be Beside the Seaside’ as they compete in Sunday’s Pontins’ National Brass Championships on the North Wales Coast.

The band visits Christleton’s St James’s Church at in Chester this Saturday, October 23rd, to present ‘Music at St James’, commencing at 7.30 pm. Musical director Duncan Beckley will lead the band and audience through a collection of light classical music, mixed with popular film scores, swing selections and rock classics! Tickets for ‘Music at St James’ cost £8 and can be obtained by calling Brenda Bailey on 01244 335034.

A band spokesman added, “It should be a special evening as a prize-winning band visits this prize-winning best kept village in Cheshire.”

The following day (Sunday 24th) Newstead Brass will continue along the A55 to compete against 13 other bands in the ‘Harry and Margaret Mortimer Championship’ section of the Pontins’ Brass Championships at Prestatyn.The band will be returning to the east midlands for a series of remembrance concerts in November.

Newstead Brass are Triple Entertainment Champions

2010-10-03T21:49:00.003+01:00

Newstead Brass confirmed their position as the North Midland’s leading brass band winning three trophies at the Bolsover Festival of Brass held at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton and Pinxton Village Hall, on Sunday 3rd October.

Billed by the organisers as the leading brass band event of its kind in the world, the festival featured 36 bands performing for over 9 hours across two venues, with each band performing a 20 minute ‘concert style’ programme to a large audience, including civic representatives from across the region.

David Read, adjudicator for the ‘Championship Section’, was gushing in his praise for Newstead’s performance of the varied musical programme put together by musical director Duncan Beckley which ‘clearly stood out from the remainder of the field.’

As well as the Wilson Bowden Developments Winners Trophy, Newstead also took the award for the highest placed ex-colliery band and the trophy for best soloist, presented to principal euphonium Lynden Cooper. The band will also receive a commemorative photography album celebrating the fifth anniversary of the festival.

Lynden Cooper capped a memorable day by also conducting Whitwell band to third place in section 4 of the contest.

A band spokesman commented, “After finishing as runners up in 2009, we’re delighted to have swept the board this year, a further endorsement of the band’s entertainment value which concert audiences can depend on. Our special thanks to Dan Price who provided the band with a copy of his yet to be published arrangement of 'Lisa Lan' which was a key part of our festival programme.”

The contest was organised by Bolsover District Council, and full results can be found at http://www.bolsover.gov.uk/council-news-2010/1006-festival-of-brass-2010.html.

Feast of Music at Brass Festival

2010-09-30T22:56:00.000+01:00

There’s a feast of brass music on offer this weekend when the Bolsover Festival of Brass takes place at South Normanton’s Post Mill Centre and Pinxton Village Hall on Sunday October 3rd.

Nearly 40 brass bands are taking part in the event, in which each band performs an entertaining 20 minute programme, giving the audience a wide variety of music throughout the day. There will be prizes for the best performing bands in each of the six graded sections.

The event has attracted bands from across the midlands and north of England with the first bands due play at 9.00 am in each venue. The £5 ticket price allows admission to all performances in both venues.

Newstead will be playing late afternoon in the Post Mill centre.

FREE Brass as Newstead visit Crossley Park

2010-09-19T20:58:00.003+01:00

It may officially be autumn this week, but there’s still chance to catch award winning Newstead Brass in a FREE ‘Summer bandstand’ concert this Saturday.

Newstead Brass will play for the final ‘Bands in the Park’ concert of the 2010 series on the Crossley Park bandstand this Sunday, September 26th, between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm. As always, they will be led by their musical director Duncan Beckley. It will be a welcome return visit for the band which played at Crossley Park in July as part of the Ripley Music Festival when an estimated 2,000 people enjoyed the music of Newstead Brass, the South East Derbyshire Music Centre and a firework finale.

The concert series is organised by Ripley Town Council, supported by Amber Valley Borough Council with the help and assistance of the Friends of Crossley Park.

Newstead Brass Launch Headstock Festival

2010-09-12T17:03:00.001+01:00

Newstead Brass were delighted to open the first ever ‘Headstock’ contemporary rock music festival at the Newstead and Annesley Country Park on September 11th.

A Newstead band spokesman said, "With Headstock taking place on the former colliery site. It’s great that the band has been able to support this ambitious festival and we look forward to supporting its future development."

And we made the bbc news website as well.

Newstead Brass Ready to Rock

2010-09-05T20:56:00.001+01:00

Newstead Brass will be providing a contrast in the musical styles on offer when they open the main stage' entertainment at the inaugural ‘Headstock’ contemporary music festival this Saturday (September 11th).

Headstock, featuring four main stages, is headlined by chart topping rock group ‘Ash’ and will also includes ‘Frightened Rabbit’ and the ‘Penguin Café Orchestra’ as part of a 12 hour line-up. The festival takes place on the former Newstead Colliery site, now being transformed into a country park with assistance from the BBC / Big Lottery ‘Village SOS’ initiative. Over the coming years the festival aims to expand to a 3 day event attracting 60,000 concert goers. Day tickets cost £30 from wegottickets.com or from the Newstead Centre on Tilford Road.

A band spokesman said, "We're delighted to have been invited to open the Headstock festival. As the event is taking place on the former colliery site the village were keen that the band was featured as a link with the area's mining history. We'll be using the opportunity to promote brass bands with a lively programme of modern music in a variety of styles".

On the same Saturday evening the band will perform in the more conventional setting of St John's church at Colston Bassett. The concert begins at 730 pm and tickets cost £10.00 including Supper and Wine. Please call 01949 81745 for ticket details.

Newstead Brass will complete the month with a free concert on Ripley's Crossley Park bandstand on Saturday September 26th, commencing at 3.00 pm.

Summer Season Ends in Spectacular Style

2010-07-19T22:18:00.003+01:00

Award winning Newstead Brass ended their Summer concert season in spectacular style playing to an estimated 1,500 plus crowd at the annual Ripley Music Festival and entertaining hundreds more at a National Garden Scheme ‘Open Gardens’ event.

With financial support from the Midlands Cooperative Society, the Ripley Music Festival ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’ took place on Saturday July 17th. Families and groups of all ages enjoyed a 3 hour ‘‘Brass Spectacular’ featuring Newstead Brass and the Swing Band and ‘Imperfect Fifth’ saxophone quintet from South East Derbyshire Music Centre. The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display, provided by ‘Big Bang’ fireworks, as Newstead Brass played music from Jeff Wayne’s ‘Eve of the War’ and Holst’s ‘Mars (the Bringer of War)’ from the famous Planets Suite.

On Sunday (July 18th) an ensemble from Newstead Brass played for the hundreds of visitors to a national garden’s scheme event at Woodside Cottage in Newstead village, with proceeds from the afternoon supporting Nottingham Breast Cancer Trust.

A band spokesperson added, “This weekend has been a great end to the concert season and probably one of our most successful seasons of concerts ever. Saturday night was a great advert for what we as a band can now achieve.”

The two events concluded a busy summer season for the band, with 10 events over the last 6 weekends. After a short break the band will start preparations for the autumn which includes concerts across the east midlands and beyond and the ‘Bolsover Entertainments Challenge’ and Pontin’s Brass Band Championships.

The band are also planning to make a CD and individuals or companies who would like to ‘sponsor a track’ to help meet the costs of this project should contact 0115 952 7435. Details will be on the website shortly.
[Photo above by Kevin Sherlock].

Newstead Brass declare ‘It’s War for Ripley’

2010-07-05T22:34:00.002+01:00

‘It’s (musical) war for Ripley’ as Newstead Brass announce the music which will accompany the Firework Finale at the ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’, part of the Ripley Music Festival, on Saturday July 17th.

Newstead Brass will perform music from Jeff Wayne’s ‘Eve of the War’ and Holst’s ‘Mars (the Bringer of War)’ from the famous Planets Suite as a ‘live’ musical accompaniment to the ‘Firework Finale’ as dusk falls across the park.

The ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’, supported by the Midlands Cooperative Society, starts at 7.30 pm and Newstead Brass, the north midland's leading brass band, will be joined by the Swing Band and other young musicians from South East Derbyshire Music Centre.

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.

Conducting Notes

2010-07-04T22:47:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Newstead's principal euphonium, Lynden Cooper, on being appointed as Musical Director of the Whitwell Brass Band. The appointment gives Lynden the opportunity to further develop his conducting skills (having been conductor of the non contesting Crich band for several years) alongside his playing and bandmaster responsibilities at Newstead and we are sure the move will benefit Lynden and both the Newstead and Whitwell bands.

Our congratulations also go to friend of the band Russell Gray on leading the Fairey (Geneva) Band to first place in the 2010 English National Brass Band Championships on 26th June. Russell appeared as guest cornet soloist in our 2009 Christmas Concert at Hucknall Parish Church, the same venue that the band were appearing at as part of the International Byron Festival when news of Russell's success was received!

Take Your Pic(k)-Nic with Newstead Brass

2010-06-28T22:07:00.000+01:00

Picnics are welcome as award winning Newstead Brass continue their Summer concert season playing for Picnics in the Parks of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The ‘Friends of Nottingham University’ are hosting a public picnic in the Millennium Garden at the university this Sunday, July 4th from noon until 3.00 pm. Music by Newstead Brass is just part of the entertainment for all the family which also includes Rocket Making, Face Painting, Pond Dipping and the Bakersfield Birds of Prey as well as the wonderful gardens. Admission is free and cover has been arranged should the weather be inclement. Visit the Friends Website for more details.

Plans are also being finalised for the ‘Picnic in Crossley Park’ at Ripley on Saturday July 17th. Newstead Brass will be joined by the Swing Band from South East Derbyshire Music Centre for the annual Brass Spectacular, supported by the Midlands Cooperative Society, which forms part of the Ripley Music Festival. The music begins at 7.30 pm and will conclude with a firework display accompanied by live music from the band. Admission is free and the audience should bring chairs and a picnic. Food will also be on sale from a ‘burger’ stall run by the Ripley Lions’ club with proceeds going to charity.

Last Saturday, June 26th, a large audience enjoyed ‘A Musical Extravaganza’ featuring Newstead Brass (led by musical director Duncan Beckley) and Hucknall Operatic Society as part of the International Byron Festival at Hucknall Parish Church and the following day (Sunday 27th), despite other distractions, another large audience enjoyed a free concert at ‘Highfields’ in Codnor when the band were joined by Derbyshire vocal quartet ‘Farenheit’, quarter finalists on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

Newstead On Track For Summer Concerts

2010-06-21T22:13:00.001+01:00

Following a successful ‘double header’ of concerts in Newstead, Newstead Brass travel just a little further afield for two more concerts in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire this coming weekend.

This Saturday, June 26th, Newstead and musical director Duncan Beckley will join with Hucknall Operatic Society for ‘A Musical Extravaganza’ as part of the International Byron Festival at Hucknall Parish Church (where the famous poet is buried). The concert begins at 7.00 pm and admission is just £5 with concessions available.

The event forms part of a double-header for the band who travel to ‘Highfields’ in Codnor on Sunday (27th June) for a concert organised by Codnor Parish Council and free for everyone to enjoy. The event starts at 2.00 pm and light refreshments will be available for a small charge. The audience are advised to bring deck chairs or picnic blankets to sit on.

Last weekend the band gave a pair of concerts in Newstead, with a concert in the idyllic surrounds of Hayes Farm supporting the ‘Friends of Chernobyl’s Children’ and a performance at nearby Woodside Cottage for the ‘National Gardens Scheme’ gaining lots of positive audience comments and raising funds for several worthwhile charities. The band also took the opportunity to launch their new CD project at the events, inviting friends, supporters and local businesses to ‘sponsor a track’ to help meet the costs of recording later in the year. The band will perform at Woodside Cottage again on Sunday July 18th.

Newstead Help Make ‘Masters’ History

2010-06-01T22:18:00.000+01:00

Newstead Brass made their debut appearance at the All-England Masters International Brass Band contest on Sunday May 30th 2010. It was a historic year for the contest as, for the first time, it was being held in the recently completed state of the art 'Lighthouse Theatre', part of the Kettering Conference Centre, having been held at the Cambridge Corn Exchange since its inception in 1989.

The change in venue gave the organisers the opportunity to refresh the contest and 22 bands from across Europe accepted the invitation to take part in this ground-breaking contest with Derby born Percy Fletcher's 'Epic Symphony', originally written for the 1926 National Championships, chosen as the set test-piece. Although Newstead and musical director Duncan Beckley gave a competent account of the piece, it only secured 17th place with top place going to the Cooperative Funeralcare band from Scotland and runners up Tredegar Town from Wales. With the Dutch Brass Band Schoonhoven taking the third podium place it was left to Northamptonshire's Virtuoisi GUS band to lead the English challenge with fourth place. Newstead did have the consolation of finishing ahead of both the Northern and London and Southern Counties champion bands.

Newstead Brass would like to thank Hucknall Central Methodist Church and their friends and supporters who attended an open rehearsal at the church on Saturday May 29th and the Rushden Windmill Band who provided rehearsal facilities (and drinks and biscuits) on Sunday Morning.

'Epic Symphony' has been described as 'Edward Elgar meets Eric Coates' and is likely to be included in the band's programme for their International Byron Festival concert at Hucknall Parish Church (where Byron is buried) on Saturday June 26th. See the tickets page for more details.

Join us for an 'Epic' Rehearsal

2010-05-26T18:03:00.004+01:00

On Saturday May 29th, Newstead Brass and Duncan Beckley will be making final preparations to 'Epic Symphony' for their debut performance in the 'All English International Masters' contest taking place in Kettering the following day. All friends and supporters are welcome at the final rehearsal being held at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm. Coffee will be available from 10 am to 12 noon as part of the regular Saturday Coffee morning at the church.

Newstead are top Midlands brass at Spring Festival

2010-05-17T21:45:00.004+01:00

Although Newstead Brass missed out on qualification for a national final for the second time in six weeks, their performance in the ‘British Open Spring Festival’ consolidated the band's ranking in Britain’s top 30 bands and emphasised their position as the North Midland’s leading brass band.

The Spring Festival took place at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday May 15th, with 60 bands striving to progress through ‘Cup’, ‘Trophy’ and ‘Shield’ competitions to join 18 of the UK’s top bands who had already qualified for British Open Championship Finals.

Competing in the ‘Grand Shield’, the final qualifying round, Newstead’s performance of ‘Rococo Variations’, led as always by musical director Duncan Beckley, drew praise from adjudicators William Relton and Stephen Roberts, but was placed ninth of the 20 entries with just the top two bands, Tredegar and Tongwynlais qualifying for the championship finals in a memorable day for Welsh banding.

A spokesman commented, “We were ranked 12th of the 20 competing bands before the contest started so a top 9 finish represents a good outcome on a very challenging piece. We will, of course, be aiming to go even better next year!”

This ninth place follows on from the band’s fourth place in the Midland’s Regional Championships in March, just missing out on qualification for the National Brass Band Championships.

The band’s attention now turns to their debut appearance in the ‘All England International Masters’ on May 29th. Taking place for at the recently completed Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering, Newstead will be one of 12 English bands in a 22 band field which includes 6 of the leading brass bands from mainland Europe.

Meanwhile, tickets are now available for three of the band’s June concerts, including the Brass Arts Festival Gala Concert at Leeds Town Hall on June 13th, the Picnic in the Park at Newstead on June 19th, raising funds for the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children , and a musical extravaganza at Hucknall Parish Church on June 26th, part of the International Byron Festival. Details can be found on the 'Tickets' area of the band website.

St George, St John and the concert that won't Drag-on!

2010-04-19T20:35:00.002+01:00

Newstead Brass are planning an exciting concert to mark the St George's day weekend, and promising that the concert, at Kirkby Woodhouse's St John's Church, certainly won't drag-on!

'For England and St. George' takes place at 7.30 pm this Saturday, April 24th. Award winning Newstead Brass and their musical director Duncan Beckley will be joined by talented young saxophone quintet 'Imperfect Fifth'. The programme will include works by a variety of English composers and conclude with a 'proms' style finale.Admission is £5 per person (children free).

Tickets can be booked at online or by phone (0115 9527435). Proceeds will be shared between the 'Help for Heroes' charity, Newstead band and church. .The church of St John the Evangelist can be found on Skegby Road at Kirkby Woodhouse, adjacent to the library, postcode NG17 9BE.

On April 17th Newstead Brass helped raise over £1500 for the Treetops and Rainbow's hospices when they performed at 'Music and Song', organised by the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club at Beeston's Chilwell Road Methodist Church. A large and appreciative audience enjoyed a varied programme of music from Newstead Brass with songs from Lucy Hall, Andy Ward and Jenny Adams. Broadcaster Colin Slater MBE compered the evening, fresh from watching Notts. County clinch promotion to Division 1 and dedicated the band's performance of 'Don't Stop Me Now' to both of Nottingham's football clubs.

Newstead Brass Helping Hospices and Heroes

2010-04-04T19:50:00.002+01:00

Newstead Brass is making it easier for supporters to book and pay for tickets as it prepares for two concerts later this month to support charities helping hospices and heroes.

The Treetops and Rainbow’s hospices are the beneficiaries of ‘Music and Song’, promoted by the Stapleford and Sandiacre Rotary Club at Beeston’s Chilwell Road Methodist Church in Beeston on April 17th at 7.30 pm. Newstead Brass will provide the ‘music’ whilst ‘song’ will come from Lucy Hall (Soprano) and Andy Ward (Tenor) with Karen Sneade on the piano. Broadcaster Colin Slater MBE will compere the evening. Tickets cost £7.50 from the venue or Treetops hospice (0115 939 4551).

On Saturday April 24th, Newstead Brass will present ‘For England and St. George’, an evening of patriotic favourites at St John’s Church, Kirkby Woodhouse. This concert will begin at 7.30 pm and supports the ’Help for Heroes’ charity. It is the first concert to be included in Newstead’s new on-line box office at www.ticketsource.co.uk/newsteadband. Tickets cost £5 and can also be booked by post or at the door. Admission is £5 per person (children free). Please ’phone 0115 9527435 for more information.

A band spokesman added, “We’re pleased to be increasing the ways that concert-goers can be sure of hearing Newstead Brass, Nottinghamshire’s leading brass band, with our new on-line booking service and will also be offering the service to groups and organisations booking the band. Fans will still be able to buy tickets from band members and by post as they have in the past.”

As well as these forthcoming concerts, Newstead Brass are also preparing for their contest appearances at the British Open Grand Shield and the All England Masters International Brass Band Championship which both take place in May. Newstead will be looking to continue their rise through the UK rankings where they have from 40th in February 2009 to 28th in April 2010. Companies or individuals interested in helping the band meet the costs of competing in these two internationally recognised contests should contact the band on 0115 952 7435 or 07970 490773.

Newstead at the Nuptials

2010-04-04T19:39:00.003+01:00

An ensemble from Newstead Brass were invited play at the wedding of Tim and Kirsty at Bagden Hall in West Yorkshire on April 3rd and provided an eclectic mix of music before, during and after the ceremony. We wish the happy couple a long life and happiness together.

Newstead Brass can play for both church and civil wedding ceremonies. Please contact us for more information.

North Midlands Top Brass (again!) as busy weekend raises charity cash

2010-03-15T22:49:00.002Z

A busy weekend for Newstead Brass raised over £200 for the Nottingham Evening Post / Maggie’s Appeal for a new cancer care centre in Nottingham and saw the band retain their position as the North Midlands top brass band, narrowly missing out on a second consecutive appearance at the National Brass Band Championships.

‘Music of the World’ attracted a capacity audience to Hucknall’s Seymour Road Baptist Church on Friday March 12th as musical director Duncan Beckley led the band through an international selection of music from Europe, North and South America. Featured soloists were Kirk Turner (principal cornet), Michael Corden (flugel) and Lynden Cooper (euphonium ) who also compered the event. The audience were invited to make donations in lieu of an admission charge, and after deduction of expenses, over £220 was raised for the Maggie’s Appeal.

A highlight of the concert was a performance of George Lloyd’s ‘English Heritage’, the music set for the qualifying rounds of the National Brass Band Championships, with the Midlands heat taking place in Bedworth on Sunday March 14th.

80 bands took part in this year’s Midland championships, with 12, including Newstead, in the highest ‘championship’ section. Adjudicators David Read MBE and Dr Robert Childs commended all the bands, but emphasised that the top four bands had provided three very good and one excellent performance. Only two national finals qualification places were available and these went to the Virtuosi GUS band (Northamptonshire) and runners up Desford Colliery. Third place went to West Midlands based Sovereign brass leaving Newstead as the fourth highly commended band.

It was a generally good day for Nottinghamshire bands with Thoresby taking fifth place in the championship section, Blidworth taking runners up place in Section 2 (and qualification for the national finals), Hucknall and Linby 6th in section 3 with Kirkby 5th and Bestwood 6th in the 24 band section 4.

Newstead return to the concert platform for ‘Music and Song’ at Chilwell Road Methodist Church in Beeston on April 17th, alongside singers Lucy Hall and Andy Ward with Karen Sneade on piano. This will be followed by ‘For England and St. George’ at St John’s Church, Kirkby Woodhouse on Saturday April 24th.

Free concert benefits Maggie's Charity

2010-03-13T23:12:00.006Z

Newstead Brass will be donating over £200 to the Nottingham Evening Post / Maggie's Appeal for a new cancer care centre in Nottingham following a successful 'Music of the World' concert at Hucknall's Seymour Road Baptist Church on Friday 12th March.

Our thanks to the people of Seymour Road church for their help in organising the event and to everyone who came along and supported us.

Newstead Brass mark our musical heritage

2010-03-07T21:42:00.001Z

In the same week that BBC2 television launch their new series, ‘A Band for Britain’, local concert goers can enjoy top quality local brass playing as Newstead Brass present a FREE concert on Friday, March 12th in Hucknall’s Seymour Road Baptist Church starting at 8.00 pm.

Built around ‘English Heritage’, the music set for this year’s regional qualifying rounds of the National Brass Band Championships, the concert has a ‘Music of the World’ theme taking the band and audience around the world with music from Britain, Europe, North and South America.
Admission to the concert is FREE, but the audience will be asked to make donations towards the band’s costs and in support of the ‘Maggie’s Appeal’ for a new cancer care Centre in Nottingham.

A band spokesman added, “Many bands, including ourselves, have had to overcome setbacks over recent years and continue to face challenges today. We’re delighted to see the media taking a renewed interest in brass bands. This is a great time for those who’ve not heard a band before to come and experience 21st century brass banding ‘live’ alongside our regular supporters and followers.”

Entrance to the Seymour Road Baptist Church is from Ruff’s Drive and car parking is available.

Newstead Brass set for World Tour!

2010-02-22T22:42:00.002Z

Newstead Brass are getting set for a world tour without even leaving Nottinghamshire as they prepare for a FREE ‘Music of the World’ concert in Hucknall’s Seymour Road Baptist Church at 8.00 pm on Friday March 12th.

The concert will take the band and audience around the world in less than 80 minutes with a variety of musical styles on show from Britain, Europe, North and South America featuring Salsa, Waltz, Opera and more!

Admission to the concert is FREE, but the audience will be asked to make donations towards the band’s costs and in support of the ‘Maggie’s Appeal’ for a new Cancer Care Centre in Nottingham.

Entrance to the Seymour Road Baptist Church is from Ruff’s Drive and car parking is available.

Newstead Brass show New Year Class

2010-01-04T21:24:00.000Z

Newstead Brass brought down the curtain on a busy festive programme with their annual ‘Newstead Plays Big band’ concert on Sunday, January 3rd celebrating a successful 2009, rewarding the ‘players of the year’ and looking forward with enthusiasm to 2010.

This was the band's 10th annual end of year concert, the series having begun with an end of millennium concert in 1999, and was split into four sections, 'big-band', 'pops' (featuring the music of Queen), 'Latin-American' (including appropriate attire by the band), and 'finale'. The band's items were interspersed by fine playing by 'Imperfect Fifth', a young saxophone quintet from South East Derbyshire Music Centre. Despite the poor weather, there was a large and appreciative audience for the concert, which included the presentation of the band's annual awards. Player's player of the year went to Ashley Clegg, in recognition of his astounding performances as both xylophone soloist and wider percussion playing for the band and his appointment as principal percussionist of the National Youth Brass Band. Duncan Beckley made the musical director's award to Michael 'Fred' Cordon, citing his consistently high standards throughout the year "from rehearsal to bandstand to the stage of the Royal Albert Hall."

The concert concluded a busy festive programme for the band with large and capacity audiences attending a string of concerts. The band appeared alongside the Alan Johnson Singers, Hucknall Operatic Society, Radcliffe on Trent Male Voce Choir and had the privilege of welcoming Russell Gray as guest cornet soloist. Funds were raised for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, the NSPCC and the Mayor of Gedling’s chosen Charity ‘Nottinghamshire Leukaemia Supporting Myeloma’.

The band wish all their friends and supporters a Happy New Year and look forward to continued success in both concerts and contests in 2010.