Newstead Brass has welcomed a number of personnel changes as they prepare for the coming contest season.

Experience

The experienced Jim Davies (above) comes in to lead the band for the Brass at the Guild and Midland Regional Championship, allowing regular MD John Davis to prepare reigning Midlands First Section champion Foresters Brass in the defence of their title.

Meanwhile, Dan Cheadle returns on solo euphonium once James Emberley completes his commitments to the band.

Dan has enjoyed successful periods playing for a number of bands in the Midlands and North West Areas including Derwent, Gresley Colliery, Ratby and Cooperative Funeralcare North West.

Newstead is also strengthened by the arrivals of Nick MacDonald and Bob Mercer on cornet, who join recent signings Martyn Carlisle (EEb tuba) and Kevin Parkin (bass trombone). All four will make their contest debuts at the forthcoming Preston contest.

We're delighted to have secured the services of Jim Davies and are enjoying working with him on the test-piece 'Odyssey'. We hope our musical relationship will continue beyond thisBand spokesperson

Delighted

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We're delighted to have secured the services of Jim Davies and are enjoying working with him on the test-piece 'Odyssey'. We hope our musical relationship will continue beyond this.

We're also pleased to welcome the return of Dan who will lead a young and talented section into what we hope will be an exciting time ahead, which include the commissioning of a new work for band and massed choirs to be premiered at the International Byron Festival in the summer."