Newstead Brass has acted quickly to appoint a brand new principal cornet player following the departure of James Screaton to top section rivals Virtuosi GUS.

Contest debut

22 year old Mathew Hampton takes on the role with the Leicester BBA Champion with immediate effect, and will make his contesting debut at the forthcoming Midlands Regional Championships in Bedworth in March, as Newstead look to return to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 2009.

The former principal cornet at the all conquering Youth Brass 2000 comes to the band after enjoying a successful tenure as top man at Foresters Brass, and is regarded as one of the leading young cornet talents in Midlands banding.

Exciting time

Newstead MD Duncan Beckley told 4BR: “We are delighted that Mathew has joined at such an exciting time for the band, and with a number of projects on the horizon.

He has already fitted in well, and I have to thank James for the way in which he helped us during what has been a smooth transition. Mathew is a very fine player with enormous potential, who will lead the band with authority.”

Mathew is a very fine player with enormous potential, who will lead the band with authorityMD, Duncan Beckley

Winning start

He added: “We wish James well, but we are determined to get off to winning start in 2015 at the Midlands Area Championship.”