Symphony of success for Calderdale brass band

It was a record breaking weekend for the Black Dyke band, as they won the British Open Championship for the 30th time, extending the band’s achievement as the most successful in history.

Professor Nicholas Childs, the director of music, said: “The band was in stunning form, the soloists were on fire and when the audience erupted at the conclusion we knew we had created something special.”

The band performed the test piece Vita Aeterna Variations by the Dutch composer Alexander Comitas.

Brass bands were invited from all around the world, including Brighouse & Rastrick and Yorkshire’s Grimethorpe.

The Best Soloist Award was won by Black Dyke’s Zoe Hancock and the Outstanding Euphonium also went to a member from Black Dyke - Gary Curtin.