It is with immense sadness that we pass on to our supporters news of the passing of Dr. Roy Newsome. He died aged 81 peacefully at home early this morning surrounded by his family.
Whilst never directly associated with Corus Brass Ensemble many members of the group played under him during his highly successful tenure as Professional Musical Director to the Besses o'th' Barn Band. The highlight of which was probably the victory at the 1982 British Open Brass Band Championships in its first year to be held at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester on a wickedly difficult test piece for conductor and band alike - 'The Three Figures' by Herbet Howells.
Roy Newsome devoted his life to the Brass Band movement and especially the development of young musicians at the former Salford Technical College - now part of the University of Salford in the UKs first full degree in Brass Band Musicianship. He was also Musical Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for 14 years during which time some of the finest of the countries brass musicians passed through his care. He even had a stint presenting the popular 'Listen to the Band' show on Radio 2 after the retirement of great Charlie Chester.
Born in Yorkshire, Roy made his name on the east side of the Pennines as resident conductor of the Black Dyke Mills Band before migrating west to Lancashire and the Besses o'th'Barn Band, taking over the baton from Ifor James. He was an immediate hit and won the BBC Band of the Year and took Besses to the National Finals as North West Area Champions in 1978 where they were narrowly pipped for the National title on CheckMate by Arthur Bliss. He finally captured the National title with the Fairy Band from Stockport in 1986 and also went on to lead several different bands to victory in the British Open.
Corus Brass Ensemble sends it deepest sympathies to Roys widow - Muriel and his sons Neil and Martin at this difficult time, you are in all our thoughts...
The great man was held in highest esteem both as a person and as a musician and we salute all the fantastic achievements he made throughout his lifetimes devotion to music.
Rest in Peace Roy! | 
