The University of Nottingham Brass Band is gearing up for its first ever appearance at the UniBrass contest, which will be held on 14th February at Warwick Arts Centre.

Positive

Comprised of a mixture of undergraduate, post graduate and alumni who studied in the city, it will be the first time they have been in a position to enter, although Band Manager Andrew Claydon felt positive about their debut chances:

“It’s been an exciting start to the academic year, with an influx of new players moving to the city from all over the country,” he told 4BR.

“We have some real talent in the band, with a number of students also playing for some of Nottinghamshire’s best brass bands. It’s taken a lot of organising, but everyone is really excited about representing the university on stage for the first time."

Compositional help

The band also revealed it had teamed up with two local composers, whose work they will feature on the contest stage.

Chris Knapp, who recently graduated from the university and is also a former conductor of the band, has provided an original composition, whilst Foden’s cornet player Andrew Stevenson, who is also the Composer in Residence at Thoresby Colliery Band and Foden’s Youth Band has also provided a work.

Andrew hails from the North Nottinghamshire village of Blyth and despite studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, still maintains a keen interest in bands in the area.

It’s taken a lot of organising, but everyone is really excited about representing the university on stage for the first timeUniversity of Nottingham

Thoresby link

University of Nottingham Brass has also developed a close relationship with Thoresby Colliery Band, and was delighted to host an open rehearsal with them last year as part of their Midland Regional Championships preparation.