Memories of former Professional Conductor James Watson were stirred at Brighouse & Rastrick this week.

Musicianship

Brighouse MD Sandy Smith told 4BR: "The pre-rehearsal chat inevitably centred on Jim and his time at the band in the mid 1980’s. There are still members in the organisation who benefited from his enormous musicianship, both at Brighouse, and also during his tenures at Desford and Black Dyke."

He added: "One thing which was commented on was that Jim’s concert programmes were always hallmarked with an abundance of quality music, both original compositions and arrangements from many genres — the music always had a ring of quality about it."

One thing which was commented on was that Jim’s concert programmes were always hallmarked with an abundance of quality musicSandy Smith

Elegy

The band concluded the rehearsal with the ‘Elegy’ from John Ireland’s ‘Downland Suite’ in memory of their former conductor, and will include it in their concert in Huddersfield Town Hall next month — appropriately the venue where the band won the Yorkshire Area contest in 1984, playing the Berlioz overture ’Waverley’.

Welsh contribution

Jim Watson’s contribution to Welsh banding has also been rembered to with a tribure from Keith Griffin and the National Youth Band of Wales.

"Jim was one of the foremost trumpet players and teachers nationally and internationally. His long association with National Youth Arts Wales commenced in 1982, when he was the soloist in the inaugural concert of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.

He returned later as a highly successful music director of the ensemble, and then as founder-Director of National Youth Symphonic Brass Wales."

Keith concluded: "Jim's rehearsals were always enlivened by his very dry sense of humour (woe betide the mobile phone user), his encouragement of young players, and above all his musicianship. We will miss him greatly!"