The death has been announced of former Black Dyke resident conductor Michael Antrobus. He was aged 73.
Foundations
His musical foundations came first as a child chorister at Chester Cathedral, before he took up the trumpet, progressing to become a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as a teenager.
Spells as a musician in the RAF and as a peripatetic teacher in the south of England were followed by a highly successful teaching career in and around the St Helens area where he also began to work with a number of local bands, enjoying success with the likes of Poulton-le-Fylde, Goodshaw and Lockwood.
Black Dyke
He was appointed resident conductor of Black Dyke in March 1978 and enjoyed a two-year tenure; although it was the amount of administrative paperwork, which included the organisation of two major overseas tours to Germany and Norway that eventually led to his resignation.
He conducted the band for the last time in a concert at Wembley Conference Centre in March 1980.
Norway
The tour to Norway with Black Dyke also opened up a number of exciting future musical possibilities — ones that eventually saw him move to the country in 1981.
He soon became one of the most popular, and successful conductors in the emerging Norwegian brass band scene; almost immediately leading Manger Musikklag to second place at the 1981 European Championship.
More success followed — including a Norwegian National/Siddis Entertainment title 'Double' in 1983 and a further Siddis success in 1984.
He also worked closely with Stavanger (1989-1993) and Eikanger Bjorsvik (1987 — 1990 and 1993 -1994) over many years, helping them both greatly as they went on to achieve domestic and international success.
All levels
Over the following years he also enjoyed worked with bands at all levels — winning National titles in the Second Division in 1988 (Radoy Brass) and National Schools Band Championship in 1989 (Manger Skulemusikklag).
Two more Siddis titles came with Flesland Musikklag in the Second Division in 2001 and in the Third Division with Tysnes Musikklag in 2004, as well as numerous podium finishes.
He conducted at the National Championships for the last time in 2011 when he led Brottum Brass to third place in the Second Division, and at the Siddis Championship in the same year with Sola Brass in the Elite Division.
His last conducting appearance came at the 2015 Swedish National Championships where he led Lunds Brassband to second place in the First Division.
The tour to Norway with Black Dyke also opened up a number of exciting future musical possibilities — ones that eventually saw him move to the country in 19814BR
Close UK links
Over the years he maintained close links with the banding world in the UK — leading Cory to the Welsh Regional title in 1994 as well as to a memorable podium finish at the European Championship in 1993.
He also conducted Yorkshire Imperial Metals and CWS Glasgow at the National Finals and the British Open, and was for a time the conductor of James Shepherd Versatile Brass.
Quick wit
A highly accomplished all round musician, he also adjudicated in Norway over a 32 year span and was renowned for his quick wit, generosity of musical spirit and willingness to assist bands and players at any level. He was also a very dedicated supporter of Everton Football Club.
The thoughts and condolences of the brass band movement are with his family. Further details will be announced shortly.
