This was an afternoon to remember. 

Hardcore Pondashers as well as banding supporters packed into Huddersfield’s magnificent Victorian Town Hall to enjoy a musical celebration of the world’s most famous brass band - one that paid exemplary tribute to its glorious past, imposing present and exciting future.

Future

The latter came first - with Prof. Nicholas Childs leading the Yorkshire Youth Band through a brace of pieces to give notice that the heartland of UK banding beats with remarkable young talent - some of who are surely destined to fill a seat or two in the Queensbury outfit.

With Alan Fernie's 'Prismatic Light' and James Curnow's 'Jubilation' (a piece that very much summed up the day) neatly dispatched, the remainder of the first half saw the current incumbents of the famous black, red and gold jackets on impressive, polished form. 

With their 2015 trophy haul in front of them, Dyke’s spotlight contribution saw substantial works from Peter Graham - both of which also served as a reminder that once the contest season recommences they have no intention of relinquishing those coveted ‘major’ baubles.

Gift

His anniversary gift of 'Symphony of Scarlet and Gold' was unashamedly nostalgic - from echoes of the signature ‘Queensbury' march through a central section that paid homage to the ‘greats’ of James Shepherd, John Clough and Frank Berry. 

Tailored perfectly for the soloists and ensemble, it brought the house down. It is also sounded neatly tailored to be an ideal First Section level test piece.

Demanding

Not so 'Metropolis 1927' -  which despite the space constraints limiting its integral choreography, still showed itself to be a work of demanding substance: It looks destined to remain in the Queensbury library for some time to come. 

With Chairman of Trustees, David Allen surprising the MD with a silver salver acknowledging his fifteen years at the helm, there was still time for Richard Marshall to deliver a flawless 'Miss Blue Bonnet', Gary Curtin flash more notes than can be found in a Greek bank machine in 'Carnival of Venus', and the popular Big Band trio of 'Song of the Volga Boatmen', 'What a Wonderful World' and 'Sing, Sing, Sing' spotlight classy showmanship. 

Memory lane

Having stocked up with the latest CDs, the audience returned for a second half trip down memory lane as the 'Reunion Band' squeezed onto the stage.

The cavernous acoustic certainly resonated to the sounds of 'Queensbury', before former principal cornets, Matt Baker and James Shepherd joined Richard Marshall to perform 'Trumpets Wild'.

Impressive

Guest Conductor, Derek Broadbent led on his new arrangement of 'Yellow Submarine' before the mood was calmed with an impressively controlled (especially given the numbers all wanting to play) 'David of the White Rock' and John Miles' 'Music'.

To close, the piece that brought Dyke its 1967 National triumph: Eric Ball's 'Journey into Freedom'. 

With some of the players who played that day on stage, Prof Childs led a performance of respectful musicality and refinement - one that left a feeling of deep musical satisfaction as the triumphant final chord rang through the air.

Despite the calls for more (what could top it?) that was it.  The memories will last a very long time for those lucky enough to have been present.

Malcolm Wood