Players from Newhall Band have won prizes at the first City of Coventry and Warwickshire Brass Festival, held at Bablake School, Coventry, on Saturday 3 July.
Patricia Woodings, the band's solo horn player, won first prize in the Open Slow Melody class by playing Demelza by Hugh Nash, and third prize in the Open Air Varie section with Variations on a Welsh Theme by Peter Kneale.
Shiela Dixon, who plays solo cornet with Newhall, won third prize with the slow melody My Love is Like a Red Red Rose arraged by Gordon Langford, and second place in the Air Varie section with Fantaisie Brilliante by J B Arban.
For more information about the band, please see www.newhallband.org.uk
(Picture - Patricia Woodings at the festival)
Newhall band won third prize overall and second prize for entertainment at the recent entertainment contest hosted by Ireland Colliery at Staveley, near Chesterfield on Sunday 27 June.
The bands and audience found it a most enjoyable day.
Newhall's 25-minute programme included a trombone solo from the band's principal trombone player, Claire Smith, a vocal solo from fellow trombone player Abbie Priestley, some well-known tunes such as Chatanooga Choo Cho and some acting up during Mozart's 'Musical Joke'.
Newhall Band are currently recruiting and would love to hear from you if you play euphonium (second seat), baritone (second seat) or kit percussion. For more information about the band's concerts or vacancies, please see www.newhallband.org.uk
Players from Newhall Band have won prizes at the Coalville Music Festival.
Patricia Woodings, Shiela Dixon, Jo Priestley and Sharron Timperley-Smith won first prize in the open brass ensemble class by playing Peter Graham's quartet 'Timepiece' at the second day of the 27th Coalville Festival of Music held at Newbridge High Shool on Saturday 15 May.
Shiela said, "it is a wonderful piece but not easy to play and so we have put in many hours of practice. We all enjoyed the day and are delighted that the hard work paid off."
Shiela and Jo also won first prize in the open brass duet class with Gordon Langford's cornet and euphonium duet 'Foxtrot Between Friends'. Patricia and husband Peter Woodings came a close second playing Will O'the Wisp by H Round on tenor horn and cornet.
Newhall Band are currently recruiting and would love to hear from you if you play euphonium (second seat) or Bb bass.
Newhall Band has won second prize in its section at a Leicestershire contest on Sunday. It was the second trophy for Newhall in as many weeks.
The Leicestershire Brass Bands Association contest was held at Loughborough on Sunday 29 November. In this contest, the bands can choose which piece they play. Newhall Band played the same piece that had won them first place at Leamington a week earlier - 'Music for a Festival' by Philip Sparke.
One of seven bands who played from the fourth section, Newhall brought back a cash prize and a silver trophy.
Newhall Band have won first prize in their section at a regional contest on Sunday.
The annual West Midlands Brass Bands Association Contest is held at Leamington Spa. In this contest, the bands can choose which piece they play. This year Newhall Band impressed the judge with 'Music for a Festival' by Philip Sparke.
One of eight bands who played from the fourth section, Newhall brought back a cash prize and a silver trophy.
At the same event last year, the band won second prize, but this is their first win for many years. The band members delighted with the result and are now hoping for a similar result at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Contest next Sunday.
Do you play a brass instrument? Would you like to make some new friends, have fun and make some great music?
If so then Newhall Band would love to hear from you.
The band has a long history, and currently has some strong players as demonstrated by some good results at the recent Leicestershire Brass Band Association solo, duet and quartet contest. Patricia and Peter Woodings won third prize in the open duet section, Patricia also came fifth in the open slow melody section, Shiela Dixon came fourth in the open air varie section. Shiela and Patricia also entered the quartet section with Sharron Timperley-Smith and Jo Priestley and won second prize.
The band's diary is as full as ever with around twenty concerts and three contests per year plus social events.
However, at the moment there are some vacant seats, which the band are particularly keen to fill with two contests on the horizon. The next is at Leamington, where last year the band members were delighted to win second prize in their section.
Says solo cornet player Shiela Dixon, "Joining the band is one of the best things I've ever done. I started playing again after an 18-year break, and now I have some great friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise and entertaining people is such an enjoyable and worthwhile thing to do."
If you play any brass instrument or percussion, you'll be more than welcome to come along to rehearsals. The band are particularly keen to hear from cornet and baritone players.
Find out more at http://newhallband.org.uk or from band secretary Roy Marrison on 01283 812531
Newhall Band are delighted to have achieved their best contest result for some time, and their first trophy for several years.
The annual West Midlands Brass Band Association contest held at Leamington Spa is an own-choice contest. This year Newhall played a challenging piece, Henry the Fifth by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Of the nine bands that entered the fourth section, Newhall came second, missing first place by one point.
Earlier this year the band appointed Kevin Holdgate as conductor / musical director. He had already put his own stamp on the concert programme and has now made his mark on our contest results!
Alongside rehearsals for the regular concert programme, it is with enthusiasm and high hopes that the band is starting work on the test piece for the regional heats of next year's national championships!
Congratulations to several Newhall players who have brought home prizes from the Autumn Leicestershire Brass Band Association Solo, Duet and Quartet Contest.
Trombonists Jill Fern and Claire Smith won third place in the Open Duet section with the rather appropriate Cheerful Comrades by E Rance
Shiela Dixon, Rebecca Stonehouse, Patricia Woodings and Jo Priestley won third place in the Open Quartet section with Foursome for Brass by Anthony Spurgin
Our stars of the day were winners of the Open Duet section, Rebecca Stonehouse and Patricia Woodings (pictured) who gave a "Great show" with Will O' the Wisp by H Round.
Almost in the prizes were Patricia Woodings who came fourth in the Open Slow Melody section with Demelza by Hugh Nash, Shiela Dixon who came fourth in the Open Air Varie with Percy Code's Zelda, and Shiela Dixon and Sharron Timperley-Smith who came fourth in the Open Duet section with a cornet arrangement of the Flower Duet.
Also playing on the day were Louise Parker who played the Flower Duet arranged as a tuba solo, and Abbie Priestley and MD Kevin Holdgate who joined Claire and Jill to play a new quartet for trombones especially written for the day by Andre Cordonnier.
It is with sadness that the members of Newhall Band announce the death of Dennis Walker, Vice President of Newhall Band. Dennis died on Tuesday 2 September 2008.
Dennis started playing at the age of 10 in 1933 when he began playing with the Aston Band on Euphonium.
When he started work at Derby Railways he joined Derby Railway Band on Solo Euphonium a position he held for 20 years before moving on to Solo horn which he played for 10 years.
Dennis joined Newhall Band in the mid 1980's playing on tenor horn and then later moving on to Baritone.
In the early nineties Dennis was "instrumental" in helping to start the Melbourne Town Band.
He played with Newhall on both occasions they qualified for the National finals both in 1997 at Symphony Hall, one of the highlights of his banding life, and in 2004 when the band once again qualified for the finals at Harrogate. He was a loyal and hardworking member of the band being Librarian of the band and an active committee member and finally, following his retirement from playing, acting as the Band Vice President.
Dennis' funeral is at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 16 September at All Saints Church, Aston on Trent.
Members of Newhall Band will be playing at the Church and anyone who wishes to join them to play at the service should contact Colin Clulow on 01332 792737
ITV Central viewers would have seen and heard Newhall Band playing at Conkers last Wednesday.
On Wednesday 13 August, ITV Central News Summer Tour Bus stopped off at Conkers, the discovery centre at the heart of The National Forest. During the half-hour programme that night the Central News team broadcast features and interviews about The National Forest and the Conkers centre, as well as the weather and sports reports.
Not one of the longest concerts we've performed, we played Radetsky March to an enthusiastic audience near the end of the programme.
Newhall Band are delighted to have been asked to give a 'Last Night of the Proms' concert on Friday 12 September to help celebrate the opening of the new outdoor arena at Rosliston Forestry Centre in South Derbyshire.
Near the heart of The National Forest and surrounded by trees, the natural grassy arena now has a covered and lit purpose-built stage. Now known as The Glade in the Forest, It will be home to a programme of outdoor events including music and theatre.
Close to the end of the BBC Proms season, Newhall Band will be playing a full summer concert, complete with Britannia herself and the traditional Pomp and Circumstance of the Last Night. The music starts at 8pm; further details to be announced.
More about Rosliston Forestry Centre >>
Newhall Band was pleased to take part in anniversary celebrations for St John's Church Newhall, the church the band was founded for over 100 years ago.
On 28 April, members of the Newhall congregation took a walk across fields to Stapenhill church, just as their forerunners had done more than 175 years previously.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very kind, and hot drinks were served before and after the service. A reminder of why the Newhall folks must have been delighted to have a new church in their own village, known as St John's, exactly 175 years ago. Another possible reason for the building of St John's church was suggested during the service - that the crime rate was quite high in Newhall and they needed a church to bring a little goodness into the town!
In the nineteenth century and at the start of the twentieth, Newhall Band was known as the Newhall St John's Band, and still maintains links with the church, and so it felt very fitting for the ten-piece version of today's band to join in the celebration.
More about the history of Newhall Band >>
For some members of the band, a solo contest was a new experience, for others not, but we all had a great day out at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Spring Festival. Members of the band took part in the Junior Slow Melody section, the Open Duet section, Open Slow Melody section, Open Air Varie section and the Open Quartet section.
The new Newhall Quartet (Tricia Woodings, Becky Stonehouse, Jo Priestley, Shiela Dixon) were delighted to collect the prize for third place on their first time out.
LLBA Spring Festival >>
More photos from the day >>
We are pleased to announce that we have appointed Kevin Holdgate as our permanent Musical Director. Please see the news item below (14 January) for more about Kevin's background.
Work will begin right away on the programme for our forthcoming concerts; the Tamworth lifeboat appeal and Stapenhill Spring Festival.
Thank you to the others who were interested in the role and came to spend some time with us.
We were very pleased with our performance at the Area contest on Sunday 9 march, and would like to thank Kevin Holdgate who has done a sterling job at rehearsals and on the day. He stepped in just three weeks beforehand to pick up the baton from Allan Morris.
Unfortunately the judges didn't select us for a prize, but we have been praised by independent reviewers, including 4 Bars Rest:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2008/art824.asp
Kevin Holdgate will be conducting Newhall Band at the Midlands Area contest on 9 March.
Yorkshireman Kevin is an accomplished player. Since the age of 6 he has played with many bands and orchestras, including solo trombone at Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band and a 12 year stint as solo trombone at Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Since leaving Grimethorpe he has played as a freelance trombone player with a number of championship brass bands and jazz big bands in the Midlands.
During the day he is a brass teacher and combines this with composing and arranging.
The band members are sorry that Allan Morris has found himself unable to carry on, but are extremely grateful for the very hard work that he has put in.
Newhall Band are pleased to announce that Allan Morris has agreed to come out of retirement to knock the band into shape for the Midlands Area contest in March.
Allan comes with a wealth of experience in the brass banding world.
Rehearsals are underway and going well. The band are very pleased with this appointment and are optimistic about their chances in the contest under the new leadership.
Two new trophies were awarded at Newhall Band's recent annual social event.
Every member of the band had a chance to vote for their 'Bandsperson of the Year'. The award went to Patricia Woodings, the band's librarian, treasurer and solo horn player.
Second cornet player Sam Halton, one of the band's younger players, was awarded 'Most Improved Player' after a unanimous committee decision.
Denis Riley, president of the band, awarded the trophies.
Congratulations to both players; both awards were very much deserved.
We are very sorry to announce that Mark Phillips has decided to leave the band after seven years as MD, because of family and work commitments.
We are sad to see Denis Riley step down after playing with the band for 29 years. He has been a dedicated player, was chairman of the band for 14 years and has also stepped into the middle to conduct when necessary.
Denis will continue to make a contribution to the band, as he has been recently been re-elected President. He'll also be kept busy with his work as MD of Wilnecote St John band.
At the recent AGM, the band decided to name an annual trophy after Denis in recognition of his service to the band.
On a happier note, we are very happy to welcome Mark Smith to the band's second euphonium seat.
The band is rehearsing hard in preparation for the Pontin's contest early next month. The third section test piece is Peter Graham's Northern Landscapes, and our section will start at approx 2pm on Saturday 3rd November. The top cash prize is £1,750 so there's everything to play for!
Newhall Band are band number 9 out of 14, and have been drawn to play 14th out of 14, so we won't have a very long wait to hear the adjudicators' results.
Read more about the Pontins Contest (3rd section) >>
The band is pleased to welcome two new members.
Alan Gifford, who also plays with Amington Band, came along with us to the Whit Fridays and has guested with us since. He will now be playing regularly with Newhall Band in the top trombone seat.
Braden Stonehouse also joins the band on cornet. Braden has made great progress since joining our junior band and will now be playing regularly with the senior band.
A great time was had by all at yesterday's Whit Friday Marches. Teaming up to form The Newhall & Wellington United Brass was a huge success. The weather remained sunny and warm, players had a great time and spectators in a dozen or so villages enjoyed the huge free show. We had 6 on our agenda, and managed 4; Greenfield, Friezland, Uppermill and Delph, playing Mephistopheles as the contest piece and marching to the slightly less traditional 'Sex Bomb'.
Our results: Friezland: 12, Greenfield: 40, Uppermill: 39, Delph: 46
Full results table >>
Read more about the Whit Friday Marches >>
Members of Newhall Band and Wellington (Telford) are teaming up next Friday for the Whit Friday marches.
The Newhall & Wellington United Brass will be seen taking part in "the greatest free show on Earth" in the Saddleworth area next Friday.
Read more on 4 Bars' Rest >>
Read more about the Whit Friday Marches >>
MD Mark Phillips recently spoke to Peter and Lucas at Brasscast about the past, present and future of Newhall Band.
In the podcast released on May 13th 2007, you can hear four pieces from our CD, Lord of the Dance, as well as the interview with Mark. To hear the podcast, visit www.brasscast.com. To find out more about the CD, click the picture on the right.
The year was again quite busy with the first event of the year being the New Year Party. Great way to start!!
Preparations for the Area contest are always intense with no concerts beforehand. After that the year took off with a rush of concerts at venues spread far and wide.
The junior band having worked so hard under the guidance of Patricia Woodings, had five players progress to the senior band. Well done to all of you and of course to Patricia for training you!!
This web site is receiving messages, e-mails and many visits from around the world. Thank you to everyone who has been keeping in touch.
As always the 2007 calendar is beginning to fill up with concerts and contests so anyone wishing to book the band needs to get details to the secretary very soon.