The death has been announced of Roy Roe, one of leading soprano cornet players of his generation, who later became a much respected adjudicator. He passed away on Monday 14th January, aged 76.

Roy Roe inherited a youthful singing talent from his father, but it was a friend that took him to his local Salvation Army Corps where he took up playing a brass instrument.

Progress

He soon took the soprano cornet and such was his progress that he became a member of the National Youth Band of Great Britain, subsequently moving from his local colliery band in Dinnington to Foden's Band at the age of 17.

He stayed there for four years before departing to Fairey for a further five (winning an Open and National title) and then to Yorkshire Imperial at the height of their powers under Trevor Walmsley, being part of the band that won the British Open in 1970 and 1971, as well as 1978 National Championships of Great Britain.

In 1979 he moved the Brighouse & Rastrick, enjoying further success, including his third National victory in 1980 and European win in 1981, before retiring after a six-year tenure in the role.

He was a specialist at winning solo prizes at the famous Whit Friday contests and over his career he had a number of solos written for him. His playing can be enjoyed on numerous LP recordings.

Conducting and adjudicating

He also enjoyed conducting with the likes of Lofthouse Colliery, Hepworth, Meltham & Meltham Mills and the Rochdale Band, before later became a much respected adjudicator, judging at every level including the Championship Section of the 1998 Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall.

He was a specialist at winning solo prizes at the famous Whit Friday contests and over his career he had a number of solos written for him. His playing can be enjoyed on numerous LP recordings4BR

Funeral details

He is survived by his wife Patricia; son Darren and his wife, Wendy, of Essex; son Andrew and his wife, Rachelle, of Washington, D.C., and three grandchildren, Bronte, Lewis, and Jackson.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, 8 February 2019 at Noon at Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell, Leeds; a reception follows. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Research or Dementia UK.