Black Dyke's star soprano player Benjamin Richeton will be leaving the Yorkshire Champion after four years in the role.

During his tenure he helped the band to European, British Open, National and Yorkshire Area success, and was an integral part of high profile tours made to New York, Japan, Switzerland, and most recently, the world famous Glastonbury Festival.

Outstanding musician

Director of Music Prof Nicholas Childs told 4BR: "My thanks go to Benjamin for his superb playing and commitment to Black Dyke over the last four years. He is a wonderful player, an outstanding musician and such a talented, personable young man with a great future ahead of him.

His playing on the concert and contest stages was always exemplary and his soprano sound added an extra dimension to our performances. He remains a great friend to us all, and I and everyone at Black Dyke thank him and wish him well."

I feel honoured to have been a part of this iconic institution. The standard and dedication from everyone at Black Dyke is second to none, and those memories will stay with me foreverBenjamin Richeton

Honoured

In response, Benjamin added: "I feel honoured to have been a part of this iconic institution. The standard and dedication from everyone at Black Dyke is second to none, and those memories will stay with me forever.

I wish my friends and colleagues the very best and I look forward to the next chapter — which starts with adjudication training and an upcoming recording project for charity."

Benjamin's final concert with the band will be at the concert to open the band's Heritage Centre in Queensbury on Thursday 13th July.