Over 250 players, supporters and brass enthusiasts joined together at the Newstead Centre last weekend for the ‘Midland Area Test Piece Festival’, where five of the competing bands for Bedworth performed the quintet of set works for the Area Championship

Hosts

Hosts Newstead Brass under Duncan Beckley performed, ‘Paganini Variations’, whilst Hathern directed by David Newman showcased ‘Le Carnival Romain’.

Shirebrook conducted by Mark Wilcockson tackled ‘Resurgam’, whilst Long Eaton directed by Sharon Stansfield took on ‘A Little Night Music’, with Whitwell under Lynden Cooper starting the evening off with ‘Prelude, Song and Dance’.

Experienced adjudicator John Roberts listened to all the performances and gave feedback to the bands and audience on what he had heard4BR

Judge

Experienced adjudicator John Roberts listened to all the performances and gave feedback to the bands and audience on what he had heard, complimenting the standard of their preparation more than a week before the contest.

He also announced his announced his ‘Best Soloist’ of the night as Jayne Jones, principal euphonium of Shirebrook.

Thanks

A Newstead spokesperson told 4BR: "Our thanks go to the trustees and staff of the Newstead Centre for helping to make this possible, as well as the bands and all those who came along to listen, including many who may never have heard brass band contest music before."