Masters of the brass world go on adding chapters to rich heritage

The Black Dyke Band is one of the oldest and best known brass bands in the world. In 1816, Peter Wharton formed a brass and reed band in Queensbury, West Yorkshire. John Foster, who played French horn in the band, also owned Black Dyke Mills. In 1855, Foster established a new mill band and kitted them out with uniforms from the mill’s own cloth.

The band still rehearses in its original rooms, and their logo of stag’s head and Latin quotation are taken from the armorial bearings granted in 1857 to founder John Foster. The quotation translates as “Act Justly and Fear Nothing”.

The band has always been innovative in terms of recordings, touring and collaborations, and have won many prizes and competitions over the years.

In September 1968, Black Dyke released a Lennon/McCartney instrumental called Thingumybob – the theme to a Yorkshire TV sitcom starring Stanley Holloway – with an instrumental version of Yellow Submarine on the B-side.

The single was produced by McCartney, and was one of the first four singles issued on The Beatles’ Apple label. In 1979, the Black Dyke Band worked again with McCartney on a track for the Wings album, Back to the Egg.

Black Dyke have since worked with Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel and The Beautiful South, and recorded the theme for TV’s Ground Force.

Former Prime Minister Edward Heath was guest conductor on one of their more than 120 recordings.

Black Dyke was the first band to achieve the “Grand Slam” in 1985 by winning the Yorkshire regional, European, British Open and National Championship contests.

They were also voted BBC Band of the Year. Last year, the band won the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain for a record 21st time. The current musical director and professional conductor is Welsh euphonium virtuoso Dr Nicholas Childs.

■ Black Dyke Band, Monday, July 6, 7.30pm, Gala Theatre, Millennium Place, Durham.

Price: £14, concessions £12.

Box Office: 0191-332-4041.