*
banner

Neish market

With a new tuba under his arm Les Neish has been putting it to good use.

 

After receiving his new Besson 980 Eb tuba, Les Neish has wasted no time in putting it to good use.

This week saw him make a very quick visit to Northern Ireland to visit a school in Belfast that boasts no less than seven tuba players in the music department.

Paces

Les visited the school and put all of the tuba players through their paces with warm up exercises and games before each of the players performed a solo of their choice. Les also took the players through some large group pieces which included new arrangements of 'Baby Elephant Walk' and 'Londonderry Air'.

Les has been an inspiration to these young players who range from grade 3 to grade 8. I feel the day was summed up by the shouts of “GO ON SON!Organisers

Technical brilliance

Later in the afternoon, Les performed as part of the Methody Celebrity Recital Series performing arrangements including Saint Saens 'The Swan', 'Carnival of Venice', 'Fnug' and an incredible encore 'The Warrior comes out to Play'.

All works were well received by the audience and some of the younger members of the audience were amazed by the technical brilliance of Les as he leapt around the instrument with such ease. The concert then finished with a group item 'Peter Gunn' involving all of the tuba players in the department.

Fantastic

Les told 4BR: "It is fantastic to see so much tuba playing going on in one school. The players here are of such a high standard and very keen to learn and I really hope to be able to build links with the school and come back very soon. You never know, there might even be more tuba players by then!"

Commenting on the day, organiser Nathan Power told 4BR: "It’s been a real privilege to have one of the best Tuba players around at Methodist College today."

Inspiration

He added: "Les has been an inspiration to these young players who range from grade 3 to grade 8. I feel the day was summed up by the shouts of “GO ON SON!” (a popular Belfast saying) from the tuba players in the audience after Les’ blistering rendition of The Carnival of Venice.

Highlight

"Another highlight for the young audience was when Les played his own version of happy birthday where he managed to play/sing and say the words of the song!

Methody continues to foster great young brass players (Alumni include Niall Keatly and Jonathon Corry) and it appears that this recital reflects their commitment to encouraging young musicians.

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    


Bedworth

Midland bands ready for Bedworth return

March 6 • The Midlands Regional Championships return to Bedworth Civic Hall over the next two weekends.


Perth

Scottish bands prepare for Perth title battles

March 6 • 52 bands will take to teh stage to compete for the 130th Scottish Championship title honours.


swbba

Bands ready for Torquay qualification tests

March 6 • There is a full weekend of competitive action to enjoy in Torquay this weekend at the West of England Regional Championships


EBBC

European Championship line-ups confirmed

March 6 • The list of competing bands at the 46th European Championships in Stavanger have been confirmed by EBBA.


Contest: Yorkshire Regional Championships

Sunday 2 March • Corporation Street, Huddersfield HD1 2TA


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 2 March • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street, . Greenwich, . London, SE10 9BJ


Contest: Scottish Championships 2025

Saturday 8 March • Mill Street, Perth PH1 5HZ


Contest: West of England Regional Championships

Saturday 8 March • Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ


Contest: West of England Regional Championships

Saturday 8 March • Upton Vale Baptist Church, St Marychurch Road, Caste Circus, Torquay, TQ1 3HY


Granite City Brass

March 5 • Musical Director/Resident Conductor Needed! Lead Granite City Brass's 1st section contesting band in Aberdeen. Rehearsals: Sundays & Wednesdays, 7:45 PM - 9:45 PM.


The Hepworth Band

March 5 • We're looking for a repiano or front row cornet player to come and join us. There's lots to look forward to including the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October.


North SomerCommunity Brass

March 3 • The band are delighted to announce the appointment of a new MD, Mr Colin Hogg ARCM FVCM, and would now like to recruit a 2nd Baritone, Solo and 1st Horns, more front and back row cornets and a percussionist. We are a friendly, lively, non contesting band.


Alwyn Green

LRAM, LTCL
Conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher and soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd