LE8FIVE BRASS QUINTET

LE8 FIVE BRASS QUINTET THE STORY SO FAR THE QUINTET WAS FORMED IN MAY 2018, CONSISTING OF A GROUP OF LOCAL MUSICIANS WHO ALL CAME THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE BRASS BAND FRATERNITY. WITH MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PLAYING, PERFORMING AND TEACHING MUSIC, THESE FIVE INDIVIDUALS DECIDED THEY WOULD LIKE TO PERFORM FOR THEMSELVES, THE MUSIC THEY LOVE AND ALSO GIVE DIVERSITY IN THEIR ARRANGEMENTS, STYLE AND APPROACH, INSTEAD OF THE RESTRAINTS AND DEMANDS OF PLAYING WITH LARGE ORGANISATIONS. THIS HAS SEEN GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE QUINTET, PLAYING AT ALL TYPES OF EVENTS FROM WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, GARDEN PARTIES, ROYAL CELEBRATIONS, MASSED MALE VOICE CHOIR EVENTS, REMEMBRANCE SERVICES, CHARITY CONCERTS, CHRISTMAS AND PUBLIC CONCERTS. WITHIN THE QUINTET THERE IS THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE SPECIAL REQUESTS IF THEY ARE NOT PUBLISHED AS TWO MEMBERS ARE ACCOMPLISHED ARRANGERS. BASED IN COUNTESTHORPE, LEICESTERSHIRE, THEY REHEARSE WEEKLY AT THEIR LOCAL HOSTELRY, THE RAILWAY INN. MEET THE MUSICIANS MICK BEESTON Lead Trumpet, Piccolo, Flugel and Cornet Started playing at the age of 8 with Southfields Concert Band in Leicester, soon joining Leicester Imperial Band, moving through the ranks to become Principal Cornet at the age of 14. In the late 70's he joined Desford Colliery Band, enjoying a few successful years, including appearances at The Royal Albert Hall, Belle Vue Manchester and winning The National Coal Board Championships. For many years then, he played Principal Cornet for bands around Leicestershire along with playing Trumpet and Flugel Horn with Dance Bands, Big Bands and Soul CAROL SMITH Tenor Horn Now residing just over the border in Northamptonshire but originally from Wigston, Carol started her early playing years with Wigston Band at the age of eight. From then, Carol gained experience moving to Kibworth Band, then in the 80's had spells at Enderby Band and Unity Brass (now Oddfellows Brass), then Desford and Ratby. Her early playing years saw Carol playing principal Cornet for 20+ years, winning several solo competitions, moving then on to Flugelhorn and for the last seven years has filled the Solo Horn spot at Kibworth Band, where she has, alongwith her fellow band members, achieved many podium finishes. GARRY SLEATH Tuba Born in Leicestershire, Garry studied Euphonium, Conducting and Piano at The Birmingham School of Music. He became Director of Music at John Cleveland College, a post he held for almost 20 years. JCC Orchestra went on to perform at The Symphony Hall and at The National Schools Prom, playing the finale to a packed audience at The Royal Albert Hall in 2007. Other successes included conducting the JCC Big Band which gained both local and national renown and enjoyed trips to places such as Disneyland Paris and running many Chamber Groups, and now spends time arranging music especially tailored to suit LE8 Fives repertoire. JAN BEESTON Trombone Born and raised in Burbage, Hinckley, Jan started playing at the age of 11 with Burbage Silver Band until her mid 20's, when the lure of contesting bands brought her to play with Croft Silver Band, before joining The Desford Colliery Family, here winning many local competitions and qualifying to play at The National Championships of Great Britain at The Royal Albert Hall. After enjoying many years of playing at all levels, in 2018 left Oddfellows Brass to concentrate on LE8 FIVE BRASS QUINTET, but continues her Brass Band connection playing during her time in Spain with JB Brass Band, Lutterworth Town Band and The Camping and Caravanning Club Brass Band. KIRK TURNER Trumpet, Flugel, Cornet Kirk began his playing career on cornet at the age of 8, joining The Harborough Junior Band, moving on at the age of 10 to the senior band. By the age of 15, he became Principal Cornet at Youth Brass 2000. In 2007, his growing reputation saw him invited to guest as Principal Cornet for Championship Section Newstead Brass at The British Open Grand Shield, thereafter being offered The Principal position permanently, which led to a personal ambition of appearing at The National Finals at The Royal Albert Hall in 2009. In 2013 Kirk had a change of main instrument and took up the Flugelhorn, joining the Ratby Co-operative Band Family. He is now looking forward to a new venture, combining all his skills on Trumpet, Flugel and Cornet with LE8 FIVE BRASS QUINTET.