The Sheffield Region Brass Network is a not-for-profit organisation originally established in 2013 by Rachel Veitch-Straw, David Morris and Stuart Young to increase the profile and visibility of brass bands in the Sheffield City Region UK through Information, Education and Advocacy by facilitating regular networking meetings and providing relevant online support where available.
The Sheffield Region Brass Network is now administered by Joy Newbould, Stuart Young and Sophie Anderson.
Joy Newbould BA PGCE – Chair
Joy began her banding career aged 10 in Carlton Silver Band (Nottinghamshire); her highlight there, winning 3rd Section (1978) in London. Joy studied for a music degree at Bretton Hall College. Whilst there, Joy played with several Yorkshire bands under such luminaries as Peter Kitson, Ray Farr, Trevor Walmsley, Major Peter Parkes, and Graham O Connor, and, at rehearsals, not daring to open her mouth and reveal her Nottinghamshire accent in a band room full of Yorkshire miners during the 1984-85 miners’ strike.
Joy’s banding dedication meant that in 1986 her honeymoon was postponed because her band reached the finals at the Royal Albert Hall. Family life then intervened until Sheffield Region Brass Network Secretary Stuart persuaded her to restart with a local Sheffield band and her son, George, aged 9, quickly followed via the training band on 3rd cornet.
In the early 2000s Joy worked for several years as a brass instrumental teacher both privately and in the Sheffield Music Service. From there Joy moved through several bands and was proud be able to play in the top section once again, this time in the midlands, with son George on principal cornet.
Joy is now back playing in Yorkshire at Old Silkstone with George conducting. Banding has been a huge part of Joy’s life; she is a firm believer in the many values of music education and cannot imagine a life without music.
Stuart Young MA BA (Hons) – Secretary
Stuart plays a wide variety of instruments and has performed and recorded with all sorts of music ensembles in venues large and small across the UK and Europe.
During his tenure as Secretary of a local brass band, Stuart was approached to help establish a network hub for the local brass band community which became the Sheffield Brass Network in September of 2013. Work and family commitments intervened, as they often do and, coupled with the decision to undertake an MA in Ethnomusicology at the University of Sheffield, Stuart stepped down from active brass banding in 2018 which released more time to concentrate on the Sheffield Region Brass Network.
Stuart continues to play brass and several other instruments in various ensembles. He has a passion for leisure-time-ensemble music-making and realises the significant role it plays in many individuals lives, allowing people to make time for themselves, to follow their creative instincts as well as generating friendships, and contributing to a larger community.
Stuart is also a certified Mental Health First Aider and is DBS checked.
Sophie Anderson MMus BMus (Hons) – Treasurer
Sophie is a trombone player and completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Music at the University of Huddersfield, specialising in Musicology and studying performance under Jonathan Beatty.
Upon graduating Sophie went on to manage the UK’s largest music hire collection, the Yorkshire Music Library, and also as a Business Development Manager for Doncaster Arts and Culture, before working with the Barnsley-based Brass Bands England organisation to establish their Training and Development Program.
Sophie is the Chair and Principal Trombone of the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra and is an active deputy for brass bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles and big bands throughout Sheffield and the surrounding area.
Like Stuart, Sophie is a keen advocate for leisure-time and community music making and the positive effects it has on people’s lives. Sophie is DBS checked.
The Sheffield Region Brass Network is a Sheffield Music Hub Associate Partner, a member of Brass Bands England and associate of Making Music UK.
If you think you have some expertise to compliment that of the existing team shown above then please get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.