In 1816 Peter Wharton founded a brass and reed band in the Yorkshire village
of Queenshead - later to become Queensbury. John Foster, apart from being
the founder of Black Dyke Mills, played French Horn in this band. It has
been said on many occasions that Black Dyke was formed from it, however this
is not strictly true, as "Peter Whartons band went out of existence
through loss of members". In 1833 a new band was formed named 'Queenshead
Band', which may well have contained players from the former band. It is
reported that this Band reached its Zenith from 1838 to 1843, at which time
it consisted of 18 musicians". However it is recorded in the Halifax
Courier of the 15th September 1855 that:
"Queenshead Band formed early in the century by residents came into
difficulties. John Foster & Son, having lately become acquainted with
the depressed state of the band determined to make an effort themselves to
raise it up again. Accordingly they have purchased from that eminent maker,
Mr. Joseph Higham, of Manchester, a new set of instruments which have this
week been delivered to the band, which in future is to be denominated Black
Dyke Mills Band. A new and talented leader, as well as several performers,
have been added to the band which now comprises 18 musicians. Messrs.
Fosters have provided for them a comfortable room in which they will meet
for practising".
Black Dyke Mills Band (About 1865)
Thus the Black Dyke Band was formed. Most of its musicians both lived in
Queensbury and worked at the mill, so a close link between the band and the community was formed which remains to this day. The Band has always been at
the forefront of Brass Band activity, making one of the earliest Brass Band
recordings in 1904 and embarking on a five month tour of Canada and the
United States in 1906, on which it played in over 200 concerts and travelled
over 13,000 miles. Since then the band has toured many different countries,
including Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, Sierra
Leone, and Spain, returning to Canada in 1972. In 1988 the Band took part in
the Bi-centennial Celebrations in Australia, they also had a sell-out tour
in Japan. As well as returning to Weisbaden in Germany to play at the
Rheingau Music Festival the band have had successful concert and master class
tours in Denmark, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden and
Switzerland.
The Band has made over 120 recordings. Former Prime Minister Edward Heath
was guest conductor on one, whilst Paul McCartney and Wings broke new ground
with the Band with another. In 1996 they won The Music Industries
Association Award for the Best CD in the Orchestral category, with their
recording of Sir William Walton's Music, featuring the Shakespearean actor
Robert Portal.
In February 1999 the album that the Band recorded with Evelyn Glennie was
nominated in the 'Crossover Classical Section' for a 'Grammy Award' in Los
Angeles, this was followed in March 1999 with an Oscar nomination for the
best song in a film, "That'll Do" from the film "Babe 2"
the vocalist was Peter Gabriel with backing by Black Dyke. The Band has
enjoyed success with other recording artists including 'Torry Amos' and the
well-known group 'Beautiful South'. Decades earlier they were chosen to
appear on the Beatles hit record 'Yellow Submarine'. Black Dyke Band also
provide the background music written by Jim Parker for the popular UK
Television series of programmes 'Ground Force' and in co-operation with BBC
Worldwide have released their CD 'Ground Force' featuring the music from the
series.
Lady Walton and Richard Baker feature in the Band's CD release of
'Façade', Edith Sitwell's poems set to music by Sir William Walton. The
recording also presents excellent arrangements by Edward Watson of Sir
William's much loved film music, 'Richard III' and 'Battle of Britain
Suite'.
Furthering its connections with all aspect of music making, Black Dyke
Band and Halifax Choral Society have recorded the complete ' Messiah' by
George Frederick Handel, the Band are proud to be connected with the world's
oldest choral society.
In addition to touring and recording, the musical life of the band has
included television shows, films, broadcasts, concerts at Music Festivals,
Universities, The Proms, Fanfare into Europe, Songs of Praise for BBC,
covering the whole musical spectrum, appearing with Lesley Garrett, Elton
John, Evelyn Glennie, James Morrison, Rod Franks, Ian Bousfield, Phil Smith
and many more.
Equally many famous and well known names have conducted the Band,
including the legendary Alexander Owen, John Gladney, Arthur O. Pearce,
Harry Mortimer, Alex Mortimer, Major George Willcocks, Major Cecil Jaeger,
Geoffrey Brand, Roy Newsome, Major Peter Parkes, James Watson and many more.
In October 1993 Black Dyke Band made an historic appearance as the first
British Brass Band to perform at the Carnegie Hall, New York, also in
October 1994 became the first Brass Band ever to perform at The Royal
College of Music. They have subsequently appeared as guests of the LSO Brass
ensemble at the Barbican, performed composer master class sessions for The
Society of Promotion for New Music and have appeared before Her Majesty the
Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
Over the years the Black Dyke Band has produced an abundance of famous
instrumentalists, in the formative years players such as Ceres Jackson, John
Paley and Harold Pinches, were recognised as the very best. In recent
decades, Rowland Jones, the Euphonium player, who had a wonderful voice,
went on to become Principal Tenor at Sadlers Wells. It has to be said that
his training in the brass band, particularly sight reading, was a tremendous
advantage. Jack Pinches was Solo Trombone for Black Dyke at 16 years of age,
he went on to become Principal Trombone in the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Two
former Principal Cornets at Black Dyke, William Lang and Maurice Murphy
achieved the position of Principal Trumpet with London Symphony Orchestra,
William retired in 1995 and Maurice, said by many people to be the greatest
cornet player ever, holds the position currently. Rod Franks a former cornet player with Black Dyke is also Principal Trumpet
with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Peter Graham is the Associate Conductor of Black Dyke Band, his
introduction to brass music came as a young cornet player with the Ayr
Salvation Army Band in his native Scotland. Deciding to make music a career
he studied at Edinburgh and London Universities ( Goldsmiths College ) and
holds a doctorate in composition. He enjoys an international reputation as one of the leading composers of
music for brass band with over 100 publications to his credit, which
include, The Essence of Time, Montage and On Alderley Edge. His latest work,
Harrison's Dream, was commissioned by Boosey & Hawkes for the
prestigious Millenium National Championships of Great Britain. Increasingly
active as a guest conductor, he has worked in that capacity in many European
countries, in the USA with the Star Lake and New York Staff Bands and
regularly in England.
The well-known composer, Philip Wilby is the Musical Associate to the
Band, educated at Leeds Grammar School and Keeble College, Oxford. Philip
attributes the awakening of his interest in composition to Herbert Howells,
whose extra-curricular composition classes he attended whilst a violinist in
the National Youth Orchestra. His commitment to composition developed
further in Oxford and continued afterwards when working as a professional
violinist. He joined the staff at Leeds University at the invitation of
Alexander Goehr in 1972.
Philip's teaching activities have taken him to Dartington and Canford
Summer Schools, Bavaria, Norway and USA. He has received commissions from
California State University-Fresno, St. Paul's, Norwich and Liverpool
Anglican Cathedrals, the BBC and English Northern Philharmonia.
In recognition of its continued success, services to music in general and
the region in particular, the Band, was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the
City by the City of Bradford in 1976. Black Dyke Band has always been
recognised as one of the finest bands in the world and was granted
charitable status in 1997. This will ensure a sound structure for years to
come.
The Band are proud to be appointed the first ever 'Band in Residence' at
the Royal Northern College of Music, many exciting projects are planned to
further brass activities at the College, major concerts featuring soloists
from the RNCM, open rehearsals will be held which students will be
encouraged to attend, new compositions and Gala Concerts.
For almost a century and a half the Band have received acclaim from music
reviewers world wide. In concluding his report on a concert in Toronto
William Littler the columnist and music critic of the well respected
broadsheet 'Toronto Star' quoted; "But if the band had played no more
than the fanfare from Strauss' Festmusik der Stadt Wien, it would have
slackened my jaw. Virtuosity of this order takes the breath away".
Following the Newbury Festival of 2003. Caroline Franklin's praiseworthy
review of the Band's appearance at the 2003 Newbury Spring Festival
"The audience had, like me, gone along to this return visit by the
famous band simply from the love of the sound they produce", " An
afternoon of great playing- surely Black Dyke will be back".
In October 2000 Lady Walton MBE very kindly accepted the invitation of
the Band to become its first Honorary Patron, reflecting the Band's
appreciation of successful and continued ventures with Lady Walton and the
Walton Trust.
March 2001 saw the Trustees and Members of the Band present its first
Honorary Life Member Award to Star of stage and screen, Russ Abbott, in
recognition of his excellent contribution to the world of theatre and
entertainment and as a supporter of the Band over many years.
At the National Championship contest in October 2001 Black Dyke Band
became National Champions, although the Band have not entered the
competition every year, this was the seventeenth time that they have won the
title since 1947.
At the National Championship contest in October 2004 Black Dyke Band
became National Champions, although the Band have not entered the
competition every year, this was the eighteenth occasion that they have won
the title.
In April 2005 they became European Champions and in September 2005 the
band were awarded first prize at the British Open Championship held in
Symphony Hall, Birmingham. In 2006 they won all three prizes at the 'British
Open', Joseph Cook (EbTuba) was awarded Best Soloist, Peter Roberts Best
Soprano Cornet and the Band were placed first.
The double CD recording, 'The
Heaton Collection' featuring Black Dyke Band and the International Staff
Band of the Salvation Army was declared 'CD of the Year 2002' by 'British
Bandsman' and Australia's 'Band World'. The
'Eric Ball Festival Music'
recording was judged CD of 2003 by the journal 'British Bandsman' . In 2004
the celebrated recording of Edward Gregson's
"Trumpets of the Angels" was
voted 'CD of the Year'.
As the recording industry has progressed and developed, from cylinders,
to 78" records, to LP's, to cassettes and to the present day Compact Discs
and DVD's. Black Dyke Band has always been at the forefront, recording a
wide range of music on all formats, including
'Black Dyke Plays Beatles',
'Eric Ball-Festival Music',
'Eric Ball Centenary Concert'
in Video and DVD and 'Black
Dyke Plays Greatest Movie Hits' and many others. The most recent release
is 'Spectacular Classics Volume
5'. The three soloist albums
'Three Stories Three Worlds' - featuring,
Solo Euphonium David Thornton,
'Passport - A musical Journey' featuring Principal Cornet Roger Webster
and 'Monument' showing the
versatility of Brett Baker Solo Trombone. The
'Messiah' and
'Summer Prom with Black Dyke
Band and Halifax Choral Society' have proved popular recordings.
On the 15th. September 2005 the band were proud to celebrate their 150th
anniversary, two of the many highlights are the publication of
"150 Golden Years", a book
by Dr. Roy Newsome, in word and photograph, describing the history and the
progress of Black Dyke Band from 1855 to 2005. Also a unique
'triple CD' covering the
musical history of the band from 1903 to the present day.
In December 2005 a unique partnership was formed when Black Dyke Band and
Leeds Metropolitan University joined together, building upon the success of
the university's cultural links with Opera North, Northern Ballet Theatre,
Harrogate International Festival and the West Yorkshire Playhouse. This
partnership will form a strategy for long-term support.
In January 2006 the celebrated cornet player, Richard Marshall, was
appointed Principal Cornet at Black Dyke Band. His current Solo Album was
voted Best Solo Recording of 2005.
The band logo of the stags head and Latin quotation are taken from the
armorial bearings granted in 1857 to John Foster, founder of the band. The
quotation translates to;
" A C T J U S T L Y A N D F E A
R N O T H I N G "
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