Brighouse and Rastrick back as kings of the county
BRIGHOUSE and Rastrick are back on top after securing the title of Yorkshire champions when they won the Yorkshire Brass Band Championships at St George's Hall, Bradford.
The victory means that B. & R. will represent Yorkshire at the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London, widely regarded as the most prestigious event in the banding calendar. The band last won the title in 2007.
B. & R. gave a powerful and emotional performance in the championship section of the test piece, George Lloyd's 'English Heritage', which challenged every member of the 13 competing bands. The Adjudicators' Award, judged for outstanding musicianship by Derek Broadbent and C. Brian Buckley, went to B. & R.'s principal euphonium player Steve Walsh.
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, conducted by Philip McCann, were runners-up and will also be invited to London along with Black Dyke Band and Rothwell Temperance who will be there as a result of last year's placings.
B. & R. were conducted by their new professional conductor Professor David King who travels from Australia where he now lives to finalise the band's performances of the test piece and then conduct the band on the contest stage.
Professor King is acknowledged as one of the world's leading conductors and was previously musical director of Yorkshire Building Society Band, one of the most successful brass bands in recent history.
Paul Beaumont, president of B & R, said: "The band gave a fabulous and hugely musical performance of an extremely difficult test piece. This was Prof King's first Yorkshire regional contest at the helm of B. & R. and this momentous victory bodes well for the upcoming contest season.
"Every player in the band gave their all on the contest stage and has done over the last 10 weeks of preparation for the contest. I am very proud of their achievements but it is no more than they deserve – they are a massively talented team."
Third place in the championship section went to Rothwell Temperance, fourth place to Black Dyke and fifth to Grimethorpe Collery.
B. & R. will be in action at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday, March 20 when they will share the stage with Enfield Citadel Band. Tickets are available from 01484 223200.
Pictures: Gordon Ratcliffe
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
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