*
banner

Tubas triumph at Newark Brass Festival

The Newark Brass Festival has just taken place — and it was a great event for tuba players.

 

The Newark Brass Festival has just concluded its second successful year, where the Open Section of the competition, which offers £1,000 cash prize, was won by tuba player Ed Leech.

Varied programme

Ed studied at the RNCM and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His varied programme included the ferociously difficult 'Allegro Fuoco' by Roland Szentpali.

Winners

Also awarded a £250 cash prize for winning the Junior Section was another tuba player, 12-year-old Will Druiett, who beat off intense competition from a talented group of under-15 year olds. Will studies at the Purcell School and gave an incredibly mature performance of Antonio Capuzzi's 'Andante and Rondo'.

The £250 winner of the Intermediate Section for 15-17 years olds was trombonist Richard Leonard who produced a stunning performance of the 1st movement of the Gordon Jacob 'Trombone Concerto'.

The festival concluded with a concert presented by Judy Theobald of BBC Lincolnshire4BR

World Premiere

The festival concluded with a concert presented by Judy Theobald of BBC Lincolnshire.

The programme included performances by the three prize winners, Newark Town Band, the Trio d'Art' (trumpet, trombone and piano) and a world premiere of a work commissioned by the Festival for last year's winner, trombonist Michael Buchanan.

This was an atmospheric new piece for trombone and piano by Celia McDowall entitled 'Skerry and Fjord' which received a wonderful performance by the young trombonist.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Manager Musikklag

World Rankings — April update

April 26 • There has been significant movement in the latest rankings release, driven by a large number of contests over the last few months resulting in notable shifts and changes in the standings


Fodens

Foden's to preview Euro challenge

April 26 • England's representatives in Stavanger will be giving their supporters a preview of their musical challenge.


Hannah Peel

Radio: Brass Banding with Hannah Peel

April 25 • The first episode of the much anticipated new Radio 3 brass band series starts on Sunday with a musical trip to Norway...


Music

Own choice works revealed for Stavanger

April 25 • A wide ranging selection of major test-piece works will be performed in Stavanger.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Newstead Brass - St George's Day Celebration

Sunday 27 April • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby In Ashfield NG17 8LA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Dobcross Silver Band

April 24 • Great opportunity for a PERCUSSIONIST to join this already talented section in what is already a band with a full brass section. We are looking to enhance our percussion section as we prepare for Nationals in September . Enjoyable playing and social band!


Hathersage Band

April 24 • SECOND TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving non-contesting community band. We enjoy making music and have a comprehensive gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Chinnor Silver

April 22 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are recommencing rehearsals on 28th Monday at 11am in our bandroom and we would love you to join us.. We welcome players of all abilities who just fancy a friendly fun blow with cake and coffee thrown in.. Its all free so join us.


David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd