Midlands Championship contenders Newstead Brass has announced the immediate appointment of 20 year old James Screaton as their new principal cornet.

Expert eye

The third year music student formerly played for Enderby Youth and Enderby Senior bands and has been studying under the expert eye of Ian Porthouse and Richard Marshall at Birmingham Conservatoire.

He will make his contest debut with Newstead at the Midlands Regional Championship in Bedworth in March.

Real star

Newstead MD Duncan Beckley told 4BR: "We are delighted that we have been able to sign James. I believe he will be a real star of the banding movement in the years to come. I can’t wait to start work with him leading out excellent cornet section as soon as possible."

He added: "Everyone at Newstead would also like to take the opportunity to thank Kirk Turner, who was an outstanding principal cornet player for the band for the past six years. We wish him all the very best for the future."

Newstead is an ambitious band and I am really looking forward to the challenges playing principal cornet with them will bring – starting with ‘Harmony Music’ at the AreasJames Screaton

Ideal opportunity

Meanwhile, James added: "This is an ideal opportunity for me to develop as a player.

Newstead is an ambitious band and I am really looking forward to the challenges playing principal cornet with them will bring – starting with ‘Harmony Music’ at the Areas."