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.