*
banner

Quintet boost for Derwent ahead of Corby challenge

New players join the ranks at an exciting time for Derwent Brass.

Derwetn Brass
  Derwent have been boosted by the arrival of the new players

Derwent Brass will be looking to continue the upward path of success in 2023 following the end of a year in which they were presented with a BBE 'Innovation Award', hosted a string of successful Christmas events, delivered a world premiere and was nominated in the annual 4BR 'Band of the Year' category.

2023 starts with a quintet of player additions, with Scott Pearson stepping into the principal EEb tuba role and with his wife Sarah joining the back row cornet section. Both arrive with significant experience having performed with the likes of Ransome, Thorntons and more recently Thoresby Colliery.

Solo winners

Meanwhile, Ed Culpin moves onto euphonium having previously played solo baritone with the Leicester Co-op Band. He fills the role following the departure of James Emberley due to work commitments.

Ed already has a fine CV of achievements to his young name; being a British Open Slow Melody (U17s) Champion and being awarded 'Best Soloist' at Youth Brass in Concert Championship and Butlins Youth Championship.

Another solo prize winner joins in the form of trombonist Dan Garland. Tutored by Brett Baker, he was previously solo trombone at Rockingham Band and won the 'Best Soloist' accolade at the 2021 Bolsover Festival of Brass.

The quintet is completed by the welcome return of Steve Thompson to the first horn seat. Steve previously played with Ransome, Carlton Main and Desford Colliery, whilst an additional internal move sees Conor Harron make the switch from first to second horn to fill the vacancy left by Abbey Bower, who is now taking time away from banding to raise a family.

These continue to be exciting times at Dewent Brass. There is so much going on, but nothing is more important to us than maintaining a full and committed membershipDerwent Brass

Exciting times

Band Manager Chris Leonard told 4BR: "These continue to be exciting times at Dewent Brass. There is so much going on, but nothing is more important to us than maintaining a full and committed membership.

We are delighted to secure the talents of all our recent signings who combine experience and an injection of youth with their undoubted talents. We are certainly looking forward to how the next few months develop starting at the Midlands Regional Championships."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Paul Hindmarsh

Hindmarsh promotes importance of brass band conduit to classical world

September 25 • Paul Hindmarsh has promoted the importance of the brass band movement as a pipeline of talent in an article in the leading 'Classical World' magazine.


Watkins

Watkins takes further adjudication steps

September 25 • The Hepworth Band MD, Ryan Watkins is to undertake the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators Development Programme.


Valley Brass

Bet on Valley Brass

September 25 • Valley Brass will be featured on prime time ITV television this weekend alongside the one and only Johnny Vegas.


Luke Barker

Shirley and Luke shine for packed Proms

September 25 • The Shirley Band was joined by Flowers Band cornet star Luke Barker for a sold-out 'Last Night of the Proms'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Music from the Bandstand, Montpellier Gardens

Sunday 28 September • Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UW


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Quartet

Friday 3 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band

September 24 • BASS TROMBONE. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Ascot Brass

September 23 • Ascot Brass is seeking a Solo horn, tenor trombone, and BBb bass (good quality bass available to borrow if needed) players. We're a friendly, passionate, non-contesting band that performs regular concerts behalf of major charities.


British Airways Brass Band

September 22 • Flugel, tenor horn and trombone. Having just secured a new musical director we are excited to rebuild and develop the band. All instruments welcome. We rehearse on Wednesday evening 20:00 - 22:00 at Heston British Legion, 79 New Heston Road, TW5 0LG


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd