Meet the Band

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 Bands around the country, the latter of which he continues to enjoy.

LE8 Five has now become his latest passion, allowing his wide range of playing styles to be played through their extensive repertoire.

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, before moving back to Kibworth some thirty years ago where she remains one of the most loyal, long serving members of the band.

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.

During this time The College Orchestra forged a national reputation, winning The Leicester, Peterborough and Oundle Music Festivals and qualifying for The finals of The national Festival of Music for Youth on ten occasions between 1996 and 2010.

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.

In 1999 Garry was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for services to Music and a medal of honour by The Hinckley and Bosworth Council for his contribution to Music in schools.

A former member of Harry Mortimers world famous “Men O Brass, Garry is also President, Trustee and Life Member of The Enderby Band, and for 18 years had much success as Musical Director of Wigston Band, 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 gaining a greater understanding for the importance of 100% commitment for maximum fulfilment,  winning many local competitions and qualifying to play at The National Championships of Great Britain at The Royal Albert Hall.

Eventually in 1988 joining Unity Brass(now Oddfellows Brass) in Leicester, enjoying many tours abroad both to Europe and several times to Barbados where the band had Oddfellowship connections, raising much needed funds for Church restoration on the island.

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 and with 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.

His first experience of  National Finals came with The Ancient Order of Foresters Band, and then went on to become Principal Cornet at Wigston Band for 12 years, with gaps for his University studies, and with Wigston enjoyed band tours abroad, contest success and soloist awards.

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, shortly after becoming Band Manager also.

Here is where you will still find Kirk enjoying great success with a 5th place at the National Finals in 2021 and once again in October 2022 will be performing at The Royal Albert Hall with Ratby.

He is now looking forward to a new venture, combining all his skills on Trumpet, Flugel and Cornet with LE8 FIVE BRASS QUINTET.