The death has been announced of David Horsfield, the highly respected player, conductor, adjudicator and publisher.

Aged 73, he had fought a brave battle against cancer. He leaves a widow Jenny and two sons Graham and Martin. He passed away on Tuesday 18th October at his home in Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse.

Tributes

Tributes have been paid from all corners of the banding world, led by his great friend and fellow James Shepherd Versatile Brass member Gordon Higginbottom.

He stated: "David will be remembered as a fine cornet and flugel player, gracing the stage with Clifton & Lightcliffe, Brighouse & Rastrick, Black Dyke and the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, of which he was a founder member.

In addition he was an active member of the Brighouse Lions, being responsible for the now highly popular Brighouse March & Hymn Tune Contest.

With the support of his family, David founded Kirklees Music and for many years he was an executive member of the Band Traders Association and the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators (ABBA), undertaking many adjudication appointments worldwide."

Good guys

Meanwhile, Howard Snell stated via his Twitter account: "Brass banding has lost a gem of a man and musician."Steve Sykes added: "Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of David Horsfield. A really nice man — one of the good guys."

These were sentiments recorded by many who passed on their condolences to the Horsfield family.

Admired

The 'Boy from Brighouse' — the title of his admired autobiography, enjoyed a long and highly successful musical career — one that started and ended as a player at the Clifton & Lightcliffe Band over a span of 60 years.

After making a name for himself as a talented young cornet player with Clifton he became the youngest principal cornet player in the history of Brighouse & Rastrick when he took over the end chair at the age of 16 — making his British Open debut in 1960 under Alex Mortimer.

In 1968 he moved to Black Dyke on repiano cornet and was part of a band that won three National, one World and two British Open titles before joining his friend James Shepherd as a founder member of his iconic Versatile Brass.

He remained there for 12 years enjoying a period of unprecedented success for the ensemble and travelling the world.

Clifton delight

In later years he gained just as much delight in being able to join his family in playing once again with the Clifton & Lightcliffe B Band — and was a proud member alongside his sons and grand-daughter when they won the Yorkshire Area title in 2014.

He was also a member of 'Kings of Brass' and in 2004 was awarded the silver medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

After making a name for himself as a talented young cornet player with Clifton he became the youngest principal cornet player in the history of Brighouse & Rastrick when he took over the end chair at the age of 164BR

Respected

David Horsfield also become a highly respected adjudicator throughout the banding world — enjoying his appointments at all levels from Australia and Europe to his own banding doorstep in Bradford.

In 1984 he set up the highly successful Kirklees Publishing Company which is now run by his sons, introducing many leading composers to the brass band movement.

Further details and funeral arrangements will be announced later.