4BR has been informed of the death of Geoffrey Harrison, a euphonium player of distinction well known in West Yorkshire and Lancashire.

He passed away peacefully in the morning of Wednesday, 15th October at his home in Midgley, near Halifax. He was 74. His partner Ann was with him.

Skills

Born in Cresswell, Derbyshire, Geoffrey was the son of John and Edna Harrison.

John was the soprano player of the renowned Cresswell Colliery Band at the time, later becoming the respected MD of Crossley's Carpet Works Band in Halifax before moving to St. Dennis in Cornwall in 1955 where Geoffrey honed his playing skills.

Later, Geoffrey played solo euphonium with Craghead Colliery Band as well as enjoying spells with Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge) and Crossley's Junior Band, before being appointed solo euphonium at Crossley’s (above) under his father, making his début at the Royal Albert Hall on ‘Le Roi d' Ys’.

Le Roi d'Y's

Although the winners, Black Dyke, played the test piece on television after the results, when Geoff Whitham famously gave his second performance of the day, the first nationwide rendition of the famous solo was by Geoffrey.

Earlier in the day the contest was halted for seven minutes for a prearranged slot in the BBC Light Programme when Crossley's (and Geoffrey) played to the nation. The band eventually came fifth.

Successes

Geoffrey played solo euphonium until the band's demise in the late 1960's including their two podium prizewinning performances at the Albert Hall, their Yorkshire Area Championship victory and British Open podium finish in 1962. He played on all the band's LP recordings.

Subsequently he went on to join Geoffrey Whitham, playing tenor horn with Hammond's Sauce Works before rejoining his father at British Vita, Lindley and Hebden Bridge Bands.

In the 1990's, John Harrison was asked to come out of retirement to help re-establish Elland Silver and enjoyed further spells with Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge) and Middleton — and was part of their Third Section Nationals win of 2007.

Earlier in the day the contest was halted for seven minutes for a prearranged slot in the BBC Light Programme when Crossley's (and Geoffrey) played to the nation4BR

Regular

Shortly afterwards, Geoffrey joined his last band, West Yorkshire Brass, a non-contesting band and was a keen regular attender until ill-health prevailed.

Service

His funeral service will take place at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, West Yorkshire on Monday, 27th October, 2014 at 1.30 pm. A reception will be held afterwards at Elland Cricket Club.