Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band
The Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band is without doubt one of the jewels in the crown of the brass band movement. The band was formed in 1999 following the amalgamation of two of the finest bands in Leeds - the Yorkshire Imperial Band and the Rothwell Band .
The Rothwell Band was founded in 1881 and was a traditional band with Temperance roots based in Rothwell near Leeds. Known as the Rothwell Temperance Band the group grew from strength to strength and even spourned a junior band call the Rothwell Temperance 'B' Band. The senior band later became known as the Wallace Arnold Rothwell Band.
The Yorkshire Imperial Band was founded in 1936 by the Yorkshire Copper Works company based in Stourton, thanks largely to the efforts of Kenneth Fraser who became the band's first President. The band's first set of instruments, it is said, cost the company £2,500, but that was not their only expense because they also provided each member with two uniforms - one for the summer and one for the winter. Due to an industrial merger in 1958, the name was changed to Band of the Yorkshire Imperial Metals but this was altered again in 1980 to IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band.
When the Rothwell Band and Yorkshire Imperial Band merged in 1999, the name changed again to incorporate the name of their new sponsors and became the DUT Yorkshire Imperial Rothwell Band. However, in 2002 the name was revised to the shorter and more recognisable Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band - but the band still retains its popular name, the Imps.
The original Imps experienced a lean period in terms of awards during the 1950's and 60's but then progressed to become one of the leading bands in the country. They had successive wins at Belle Vue - in 1970 under the baton of Trevor Walmsley DFC playing Herbert Howell's test piece 'Pageantry', and then again in 1971 playing Eric Ball's test piece 'Festival Music'. Despite these high achievements they had to wait until 1978, then playing under the baton of Denis Carr, to win the national title playing 'Checkmate' by Sir Arthur Bliss playing off number 9.
Between 1970 and 1980 the Imps were the band to beat. They had four major victories (National Champions 1978, and British Open Champions on no less than three occasions), Yorkshire area champions five times out of seven along with their triple success at the Edinburgh Festival Invitation Contest.
More recently the band has added various titles including several Yorkshire Area titles, Brass in Concert Champions in 1995 and more recently in 2005 the band were crowned "First Section National Champions of Great Britain" making the Imps the first band ever to win both a National and Lower Section National title.
The band has always been quick to rise to new challenges and has not fallen short in terms of contest success. Their accomplishments are well documented. Whilst contest success and its attendant publicity are important and highly valued, it is the concert platform and the nurturing of young talent that is the 'lifeblood' of the band.
The band regularly performs throughout the UK and Europe playing an extensive repertoire of both traditional and popular music. The Imps love to thrill and entertain, irrespective of context, venue or medium. Their music can be found on numerous recordings and the Imps are regularly featured on BBC Radio 2's "Listen to the Band".
Visit the band's site at www.yorkshireimps.co.uk.