Emley Band has announced that after 17 years at the helm, Musical Director Garry Hallas will leave the band after this year's Yorkshire Third Section Regional Championships.

It is understood he will now concentrate his conducting with Yorkshire Imperial, who he has been working with alongside Emley for the last 12 months.

Fantastic time

Garry told 4BR: "I've had a fantastic time with Emley and had the honour of working with many great musicians and made so many lifelong friends over the 17 years together.

I'll miss the unique atmosphere in the band room, and I wish the band every success in moving forward.

Taking on the MD role at Yorkshire Imps has simply meant too many demands on my time, and having dedicated so many years at Emley I didn't want it to become something I wasn't putting 100% into."

Highly respected

During his Emley tenure the band gained a highly respected contest and concert reputation.

Victories have been secured at the Malton, Pogson Bray, Wychavon, Bolsover, Mayor's Challenge, NEMBBA and Oxfordshire contests, whilst they also qualified for the National Finals in 2006 and 2012. They band started 2020 with a fine runner-up finish at the Butlins Mineworkers Championship.

Garry leaves behind a great organisation that would not be what it is today without his time, effort and dedication over the yearsEmley Band

Thanks

A band spokesperson added: "Garry leaves behind a great organisation that would not be what it is today without his time, effort and dedication over the years.

We are also sorry to be losing Elizabeth Hallas who will be joining Garry at Imps. The band would like to thank Liz for all her great performances and hard work behind the scenes during her time with us."