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Black Dyke
News
Room
Issue 20
Following the 'Brass Band World' award last year for BAND OF THE CENTURY, Nicholas Childs, Music Director and Principal Conductor and the members of BDB started the first year of a new century with a brilliant performance of the Test Piece 'ALBION' at the Royal Albert Hall to become National Champions once again, although the Band have not entered the competition every year, it is the seventeenth time they have won the title since 1947.
This was also an instance of history repeating itself, exactly fifty years ago in 1951 Black Dyke won the 'National' conducted by Alex Mortimer, taking the title from his brother Harry Mortimer who had been the winning conductor in 1950. This year it was the turn of Nicholas to take the title from his brother Robert who was victorious in 2000.
Black Dyke's David Thornton Awarded Euphonium Player of the Year
Our
own David Thornton was presented with the Euphonium Player of the Year Award on stage
at the Royal Albert Hall, after his solo, during the National Championship
Gala Concert. Geoffrey Whiteley, Black Dyke Band Administrator, was there
and described the moment for us:
“While sat on stage waiting for the results I knew that there was going to be a winning presentation, this was not a clairvoyant prediction. A few days earlier Nicholas [Childs] and I had been told in strict confidence that David was to be presented with the award. Normally I would not have a problem keeping a confidence, but it was pushed to the limit, I had a chat with David's parents who said that they might have to leave early to catch a flight, I was sorely tempted to tell them. However, everything turned out fine; they were able to be there, David played absolutely brilliant and was justly rewarded with fantastic applause from the audience.”
The shield, presented by Trevor Austin, has many illustrious names on it, including Nicholas J. Childs.
Bandroom
Improvements
It is the intention of the Trustees to continue with the development programme at the bandroom. Without the much needed additional
funding (see below), this will take longer than first envisaged. Thanks to donations from supporters through phase one of our Appeal and funds earned by the Band, coupled with hard work by volunteers, the achievements so far include; Purchase of the Bandroom, the complete library of music has been up-dated, catalogued and entered on to the computer, vital roof repairs have been completed, a new office and meeting room area has been created, the assembly area, merchandise room and library, have all been redecorated.
Because the Trustees are aware that percussionists frequently experience difficulty in finding suitable teaching and rehearsal facilities, it was decided that this would be the first priority, work should be completed very shortly on the creation of a 'percussion teaching, training and rehearsal area'. It will particularly benefit young people, both locally and from other regions.
Lottery Funding
Although the Band were unsuccessful in their application for lottery funding, the area did not miss out altogether, a local Asian Dance group based in Bradford are to receive £1.5 million pounds, we wish them much success with their ventures.
Latest Recording
Our latest recording "The Messiah", featuring the Halifax Choral
Society, is now available from our on-line
catalogue. As usual a track has been selected for addition to our Juke
Box. All CD's purchased directly from the Band will now bear a Black Dyke Roundel featuring the Band logo and
Latin quotation in gold (see below).
The sale of CD's and merchandise all help the Band to survive, as a thank you, all CD's purchased directly from the Band will now bear a Black Dyke Roundel featuring the Band logo and Latin quotation in gold. On receiving their recordings enterprising fans peel them off and use them as instrument case stickers.
The latest addition to our leisurewear range is the Black Dyke Band 'T' Shirt with usual logo in gold thread, these are available from our merchandise stand at concerts or by mail order.
Or new ties with the woven shadow logo, are now available in a presentation sleeve which also features the new ' Black Dyke' roundel.
Russ Abbott, ‘Gentleman of the Theatre’ and
long-time supporter of the Black Dyke Band, has been awarded Honorary Life
Membership as a mark of respect for his contribution to the world of
entertainment.
Mr Abbott, whose father was a cornet player, said on
receiving the award “If my father were alive today he would be so proud
of the honour which Black Dyke have bestowed on me. Dad always admired
Black Dyke and kept a record collection of which I am now the proud owner.
One thing I did learn from him was you can always tell a good band when
you hear one and this is so true when you listen to Black Dyke.”
Russ Abbott is member No. 1 of the Friend of Black Dyke – why not join him and our other members in supporting the band in this unique way.
| The Black Dyke Band on location with the Ground Force Team |
Historic Day for Black Dyke
Through the generosity of
many people the Charity has been able to complete the purchase of the historic Queensbury
Bandroom. As President I was delighted to receive the Deeds of the property on behalf of
the Trustees and now along with my colleagues look forward to the exciting stage of
refurbishment and development. The Band has rehearsed in the Bandroom since 1855 and the
present members are proud to be a part of such a distinguished heritage and are conscious
of the need to maintain the high standards of musicianship and deportment for which the
Band is famous. The real work of transforming the premises into a Centre of Excellence for
Music, particularly the playing of brass instruments, now begins. To achieve all its
objectives the Charity still needs to raise some £300, 000 which we trust will be
partially funded by a grant from the National Lottery. However we hope the supporters of
the Black Dyke Band throughout the world will realise how much the Band appreciates
and relies on their backing. I do hope that those people who are still considering the
best way to encourage the realisation of the aims of the Charity will decide that the
special place occupied by Black Dyke Band in our National Heritage warrants their
continuing wholehearted support. For now, a sincere thank you to the many individuals and
organisations who have helped us to achieve this historic step of owning our own Bandroom.
Donald Hanson.
Our "Building for the Future" appeal continues to
be a major source of funding for the above project and we would be pleased to receive any
pledge from our followers worldwide. Many thanks to those of you who have already given
your generous support to this worthy cause and don't forget to take a look at our Appeal Totaliser and see how your donation is helping us
to reach our target of £100,000. For full details of this unique appeal and how you can
help, please see the Appeal
section of the web site.
We have a special offer on the cassette version of our
celebrated collaboration with Edward Gregson. For a
limited period this recording can be purchased direct from ourselves for only £4.80
including postage and packing. For more details on the Gregson recording and to take
advantage of this unique offer please visit the Recordings section of the site. 
This unique collectors item has been
specially manufactured in the UK to commemorate the founding and development of the Black
Dyke "Centre of Excellence", which will be based at the new bandroom. The
ornamental plate is 103/4 Inches (27cm) in diameter and features historical
information about the band and costs just £20.00. A brief history and illustration of the
new bandroom is depicted on the reverse of the plate. Please refer to the Merchandise pages for ordering details.
Full Concert Schedule
'News Room' Archives
- Issue 19
- Issue 18
- Issue 17
- Issue 16
- Issue 15
- Issue 14
- Issue 13
- Issue 12
- Issue 11
- Issue 10
- Issue 9
- Issue 8
- Issue 7
- Issue 6