Renaissance for Children in Need!

Following the busy Entertainment season for Brass Bands, Foresters turned to the Leicestershire Brass Band Association.

Joining fifty-four bands from all over the UK drawn to the midlands for the competition, Foresters Brass took part in the First section. Out of a pool of fifteen, we chose to perform Peter Graham's Renaissance, the upcoming Butlin's competition piece.

Foresters were awarded fourth place after a difficult section and were the highest placed band performing Renaissance. This gives us a huge boost when we go to Butlin's in January to stake our claim to a trophy that has eluded the band, where this is the test piece. We were commended on our style as well as our soloists during the performance. We have aspects to work on, but Foresters Brass are confident of delivering a stronger performance in the new year.

The LBBA contest gave us a chance to debut our new Ebb Tuba, John Grealey. John joins from Nottingham University, where we have already attracted a strong student pool of talent. MD John Davis stated, "We've had a number of new signings at the band which is good to see. We're making sure we can repeat our win at last year's area contest, and the new signings will give us a chance to work and recreate that achievement."

Grealey commented, "There's been a few players already drawn from Notts Uni, so it was an easy choice to try out and ultimately join Foresters. The band is well supported and we all get on well, so I'm looking forward to the rehearsals and contests we've got coming up."

The rehearsal before LBBA gave us a chance to raise some money for Children In Need. We brought in cakes, biscuits and treats and dressed in whatever pyjamas we could get away with in order to raise as much cash as possible.

By the end of the rehearsal, we had raised £84 in just two hours! Well done to all players who supported this fantastic cause!