The first Newark Brass Festival at the weekend has been hailed a success.
Charlie Nicholson (9) of Syerston, playing the French horn during the workshop. - 240109MW7-1
Musicians from mainland Europe and Russia took part in a music competition — the main feature of the two-day festival, which also included a workshop at The Grove School, Balderton.
About 30 musicians took part in the contest at Barnbygate Methodist Church. They competed in three categories determined by grade rather than age.
International entrants, who learned about the event via the internet, took part alongside pupils from major British music schools, including the Guildhall School of Music.
The organiser, Angela Smith, said a strong judging panel gave the competition credibility.
The judges were trumpeter Mr Paul Archibald, French horn player Mr Nigel Black, trombonist Mr John Kenny, tuba player Mr Stephen Wick and festival patron Mr Denis Wick.
Mr Archibald said the big national musical schools were keen to back the festival as it was the only competition for soloists in the UK.
Pete Grimshaw (17) of Wheatsheaf Lane, Long Bennington, was among competitors in the festival competition. - 240109MW9-9
On Saturday, youngsters of varying ability from throughout the Newark area had the chance to learn from musicians from the Guildhall School of Music in the workshop at The Grove.
The 27 participants learnt a piece of music, Summer Nights In Spain, written by Mr Archibald, which they performed alongside their tutors in front of parents and friends at a gala concert that rounded off the festival on Sunday.
Angela Smith, of Valley Prospect, Newark, was delighted with the success of the festival and hoped the event, to be repeated next year, would grow in stature.
“This has brought people with amazing talent into Newark who would not normally have ever come here. The feedback has been brilliant,” she said.
The competition began on Saturday and, after initial rounds, four players from each category competed for a place in Sunday’s final.
One from each category received a £250 prize, and the overall champion won the chance to play a concerto with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra in November.
The category winners were: grade 5-6, Charles Standen of Grantham; grade 7-8, Michael Buchanan of Berkshire; conservatoire, Edd Leech of the Royal Northern College of Music. The overall winner was Michael Buchanan.
Sunday’s gala concert, at Barnbygate Methodist Church, attracted 150 people, and included performances by the Guildhall School of Music’s Brass Ensemble.
The children who performed were led by brass teacher Mr Paul Wilson, of Grantham.
