"Its been a busy weekend, but rewarding on so many levels. After an enjoyable Friday evening with family in Yorkshire I made my way to Lancaster for the University Brass Band Championships - a superb Entertainment Contest run by students, for students. 

Most of Saturday was spent listening to (adjudicating) the various University Brass Bands as they competed for the title UniBrass Champions 2013. I did however find a little time to practice too! Over the years I've competed in and attended many brass band contests, but this one was unique with a very special atmosphere. Bands were playing, then rushing back into the auditorium to support the next group! All the music programmes had something to offer, but the general camaraderie was so great to see. 

Huddersfield University Brass Band were the eventual winners taking top honours with an entertaining programme performed extremely well. However, all the other university bands should be very proud of their efforts: Oxford, Keele, Southampton, Manchester, York, Warwick, Durham, Lancaster, Birmingham, Bangor, Cardiff, Hull & Cambridge.

From Lancaster I journeyed to Cambridge for a Festival of Brass featuring the Tube Quintet, Bones Apart trombone quartet, and the Hadstock & Haverhill Silver Bands. I was fortunate to be performing solos with all the groups and after some brief afternoon rehearsals we collectively gave a gala concert in aid of Cancer Research UK which I'm told raised over £3000. 

I played Czardas & Donegal Bay with Bones Apart; Endearing Young Charms with Tube; Varied Mood, Jenkins' Lament, Grandfather's Clock & Hot Canary with Haverhill, before starting One Voice with the massed bands of Haverhill & Hadstock. It was certainly a workout, but also a great deal of fun!

The concert took place in the West Road Concert Hall, part of Cambridge University's Faculty of Music - I honestly never thought I'd end up at Cambridge University (I'm sure my school teachers didn't either!), but it was a pleasure to perform in such a wonderful setting, with like minded musicians for a great cause. 

Many thanks to the UniBrass 2013 organising committee, and Dr Lisa Jardine-Wright, the brain child behind Cambridge's wonderful Festival of Brass." David Childs

David with the Bones Apart Trombone Quartet: