In 2015 Brighouse & Rastrick was forced to bring seventy years of massed band concerts at this wonderful Victorian venue to a temporary halt, as urgent renovation was required to keep Huddersfield Town Hall open to the public.
And whilst there is still work to be done before the building is fully restored to its former glory, enough renovation has been completed to allow the band’s famous twice yearly concert series to be resumed.
Exuberant
With over 1,000 people taking to their seats, the West Riding outfit was in exuberant musical mood after a successful autumn contesting season and a high profile concert itinerary, whilst guests Grimethorpe Colliery were also determined to provide the audience with a vibrant taste of their well known entertainment talents.
The theme was 'Stage and Screen' (with the odd tenuous link); light, entertaining fayre delivered with an admirable level of polish, as both bands seemed to feed off each other under the excellent direction of David Hirst.
Barnsley accent
The concert opned with Grimethorpe as the lead ensemble and music from 'Star Wars' and 'Disney Fantasy', which were soon knocked off with slick precision; whilst Kevin Crockford reinforced his place on the pantheon of soprano greats with a beautiful rendition of 'Bring Him Home'.
Familiarity did not breed any contempt as they then trotted out 'Brassed Off!' classics with 'Death or Glory', 'Danny Boy', and 'Concerto De Aranjeuz', featuring an excellent Laura Hirst, whilst the 'Finale' from 'William Tell' saw some terrific cornet work from Jamie Smith.
The ‘James Bond’ tribute may have had you wondering what 007 would have sounded like with a Barnsley accent, but by the time 'MacArthur Park' rounded the first half off (including an outrageously brilliant finish from Kevin Crockford) the audience was lapping up every minute of the music making.
Not outdone
The home team of Brighouse took more of the spotlight after the break as 'Let's Face the Music and Dance', 'The Dambusters', 'Gabriel's Oboe', a touch of Glenn Miller and John Williams was interspersed with superb solo features from Sheona Wade and Ryan Watkins.
The evening also gave an opportunity to pay respects to former players Peter Hainsworth and David Horsfield, who were friends of not just both bands, but of many in the audience. The fitting tribute of Elgar's 'Nimrod' brought more than a few tears to eyes.
Great form
The two men would have thoroughly enjoyed themselves on the night as the grandest of old 'pot-boiler', '1812' brought proceedings to a formal close, before 'Radetzky March', sent a well satisfied audience on their way after hearing two of Yorkshire's finest on great form.
Malcolm Wood
