Foresters Brass 2000 has been celebrating their invitation to compete at the 2016 Spring Festival following their qualification performance at the recent Wychavon Festival of Brass.

Opportunity

The top section Midlanders claimed a very creditable fifth place finish, and with the bands above them already participating in the Spring Festival series, it enabled them to snatch the opportunity ahead of rivals to gain a first step towards a potential future British Open appearance.

Programme

Their eclectic programme opened with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's 'Blackbird Special' and Simon Dobson's 'Little Hymn', before principal cornet Adam Hebditch gave a fine performance of the Harry James Trumpet Concerto. There was real alternative feel to their closing items with Mark Ronson's 'Just' and 'Knights of Cydonia' by Muse, both arranged by the band's conductor, Jack Capstaff.

We entered with the aim of qualifying for Blackpool and so I'm extremely pleased we have achieved thatMD, Jack Capstaff

Delighted

This was the MDs first competition after his appointment earlier this year — so not surprisingly he was delighted with the outcome.

"The work and commitment shown by the band in the lead up to this contest has really paid off," he told 4BR. "We entered with the aim of qualifying for Blackpool and so I'm extremely pleased we have achieved that."

Foresters Brass 2000's next competitive outing will be at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association contest on the 22nd November.