37 years after they last performed at the Yorkshire Regional Championships, Queensbury Music Centre Band will return to the contest in 2025.

The last time they played in 1988 Rick Astley is riding high in the charts, and the band is hoping that their return will be also be enjoyed by someone still going strong in their former MD, Colin Hardy, who took them on their Championships Section appearance on 'Ballet for Band' on that last appearance at St George's Hall.

First period of success

Formed in 1969 as a youth band, the band went on to enjoy considerable success — from becoming National Youth Champions in in 1969 and 1971 to winning the National Fourth Section title in 1976, the Senior Cup in 1978 and the Yorkshire Second Section Area title in 1983.

Their last national level victory came at Pontins in 1985 and their last contest appearance came at the Yorkshire Area in 1988.

Community band

From that time the band enjoyed being a small, friendly ensemble, playing in various engagements and supporting the local community.

However, since the arrival of Chris Lewis as MD in 2023 solid progress has been made to start contesting again, with successful start at the Hebden Bridge Contest in June where they claimed the 'Best Fourth Section/Unregistered Band' award.

The decision to take part in the Yorkshire Area Contest in 2025 has given everyone a real sense of purposeQueensbury Music Centre

Sense of purpose

Now, following a visit by the Yorkshire Regional Committee to assess their playing standard they will return in the Fourth Section, with a delighted MD telling 4BR: "The decision to take part in the Yorkshire Area Contest in 2025 has given everyone a real sense of purpose.

Andrea Price's 'Daedalus' is a wonderful test piece, and we're really looking forward to playing it at Huddersfield Town Hall, to as many old and new friends and supporters as we can."

The band is still in need of a few players, so please contact the through their Facebook page if you can help them out.