*
banner

World Premiere for Neish

New premiere for tuba star Les Neish.

Neish
 

Tuba virtuoso Les Neish will perform a world premiere of a new work for tuba and brass band from the pen of Paul Lovatt-Cooper this Thursday, called 'Song for the Skies'.

American tour

Les has spent the last week in America, rehearsing and performing two concerts with the All Star Brass Band of Battle Creek and is currently in Virginia preparing for the concert with the James Madison University Brass Band conducted by Kevin Stees.

His 'Sleepless Cities' was a great work and when it got to the section called 'Luca’s Theme', I knew that Paul needed to write me a melody just like that!Les Neish

Great work

Commenting on the new work, Les told 4BR: "It's great to have a new piece from Paul, especially as I enjoyed working with him at the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland Summer course. His 'Sleepless Cities' was a great work and when it got to the section called 'Luca’s Theme', I knew that Paul needed to write me a melody just like that!"

Les will be performing with the James Madison University Brass Band and will feature the world premiere of PLC’s 'Song for the Skies', Andy Scott’s 'Salt of the Earth' and Phillip Sparke’s 'Music of the Spheres'.

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    


Besson

4BR Christmas Quiz

December 26 • How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?


Special Award

2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall

December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.


Band of the Year

2025 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.


Conductor

2025 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd