The Yorkshire & Humberside Brass band Association celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. One of the younger associations it nevertheless has one of the largest memberships. The association has been planning various ways to celebrate this milestone in its history for the past 18 months and has hopefully come up with something for everyone.

 

50^th Anniversary concert.

A new piece of music has been commissioned from Goff Richards. `A Yorkshire Fantasy’ and it is ready to be premiered at an anniversary concert given by the Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal Band to be held in Ripon Cathedral on 15^th July 2006. A copy of this music will be given to all the member bands of the association after the concert.

 

Conductors workshop - 16^th July 2006 – Ripon.

The following day, Grimethorpes conductor Richard Evans is staying on in Ripon to take a conductors workshop. This workshop is open to anyone who would like to learn from the Maestro, it is a full day event kicking off at 9.30 till 4.30. Tuition etc in the morning followed by practice with the local band in the afternoon. Refreshments including a light lunch are provided and it will be limited to the first 20 applicants. Cost is £20 and enquiries should be directed to Peter Gilby on 01765 600491 or Email: peter.gilby@ic24.net

 

For anyone wanting to spend the weekend in Ripon, the local Rowel players and the Ripon City Band have teemed up to put on the stage play of “Brassed Off” in the local leisure centre on the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th July. Tickets available from Peter Gilby above.

 

York City Centre Concerts.

On Saturday the 6^th May the celebrations got under way with a series of four, one hour concerts in St Samson’s Square in York City centre. Sponsored by the York City Council. The four bands which took part were;

Stanley Newmarket Colliery Band from Wakefield.

The Markham Main Colliery Band from Doncaster.

The York Railway Institute Golden Rail Band.

The York Railway Institute Band.

 

Other bands will be playing in the same area throughout the summer season. Good crowds were present during the whole day and all bands received a good response from them.