Judging duty for bandsman
VETERAN bandsman David Horsfield is travelling to Switzerland this weekend to be a member of the jury for the 38th Swiss Brass Band Championships.
David was recently made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians which, in addition to being awarded the Freedom of the City of London, is one of his proudest achievements in his 60 year musical career.
He is the main organiser of the annual Brighouse Lions Marching Contest held in the town centre every summer.
He said: “It is more than 50 years since British-style brass band music was encouraged in the Alpine region of Switzerland. It all started when a few pioneering enthusiasts invited top British bands to give concert tours across the country.
“I was a member of the Black Dyke Mills Band tour in the late 1960s. Black Dyke, along with Brighouse and Rastrick, CWS (Manchester) Band, Munn and Feltons Band made these early trips.”
Later, as a member of the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, Mr Horsfield went on four concert tours to Switzerland and since then he has adjudicated at national championships in Belgium, Holland, France and Australia as well as the UK.
“The standard in Switzerland has really improved over the years,” said David. “The winner in Montreux this weekend will represent their country at the European championships in 2013 and compare very favourably with the top UK bands.”
Accompanying the Bailiff Bridge musician will be former B & R player Dr Robert Childs, whose son David once played solo euphonium with the band, and Frank Renton. The jury line up will include three Swiss and two Belgian judges as well as a composer from the Netherlands.
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Weather for Halifax
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
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Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
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