TWO hundred years ago on July 10, 1815 – 22 days after the Battle of Waterloo – five instruments were bought for Kirkbymoorside to set up a town band.

The serpent, two bassoons and two horns were to be the property of the people of Kirkbymoorside, and to this day the band, in all its forms, and the town have been intrinsically linked.

Over its long history, Kirkbymoorside has provided essential support for the band and in turn they represented the town across the country and internationally, teaching its residents to play and appearing at events from Armistice to fairs, weddings and funerals.

To celebrate this bi-centenary, Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band have commissioned an original piece of music for the town.

John Woodward, musical director, said the band was keen that the piece would not only celebrate the bi-centenary, but also celebrate the town itself, its myths and legends while also being a piece of outstanding quality within the brass band movement.

“In order to meet this challenge and create a work of the highest quality, we approached Dr Rodney Newton, a world-renowned composer, arranger, conductor, adjudicator and music journalist.

“Dr Newton was captivated by the band and Kirkbymoorside and the fact that it is still fully funded by the town whose name it bears, with over 100 players across five bands.”

Mr Woodward said the resulting piece, Chirchebi Tales’, a suite in five movements, was outstanding.

“Dr Newton has captured the essence and beauty of Kirkbymoorside, whilst producing a piece of true note, not to mention difficulty for the brass band world,” he added.

The suite begins with the Rising of the North.

In 1569, Charles Neville, Earl of Westmorland, whose family residence was in Kirkby Manor House, known locally as Kirkby Castle, led an unsuccessful rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I, attempting to depose her and place Mary Queen of Scots on the throne of England.

This opening movement is full of turbulence and quotes a short phrase from the Gregorian Credo, I believe in one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

It next moves to a soaring second movement, Surprise View, relating to a point outside Gillamoor, two miles north of Kirkbymoorside, which affords the observer a panoramic vista of the surrounding, breathtaking countryside.

A plaque on the wall of the nearby church bears the legend “Thou, who hast given me eyes to see and love this sight so fair, give me heart to find out thee, and read thee everywhere”.

From the top of Surprise View, you can see Lowna Bridge and here is where the third, haunting third movement, Sarkless Kitty, begins.

In 1787, after a quarrel with her fiancée, a young Gillamoor girl called Kitty Garthwaite drowned herself in the deep ford at Lowna Bridge.

Kitty’s Ghost, now minus its Sark (dress), haunted the river and this movement reflects this ghostly story in the style of a Valse Triste with dark undertones.

The fourth movement, Kirkdale Caves, takes the listener back to Kirkbymoorside’s prehistoric past.

Kirkdale is the location of a large cave which may form part of a vast system of caves and natural tunnels running beneath Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

The fossilised bones of many creatures, including hyenas, hippopotami and elephants were discovered here in 1821.

This movement is a slow Fugato with lines weaving in and out of each other like the caves and tunnels.

Choral-like passages in the low brass show off Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band’s award-winning bass and trombone sections, symbolising the darkness and mystery of the cave.

The last movement, The Last Hunt of George Villiers, is a true finale.

In 1687, the colourful 2nd Duke of Buckingham, George Villiers, came hunting near Kirkbymoorside. He caught a severe cold which turned into a fever and he ultimately died.

This movement cleverly depicts the exciting hunt, then, after a huge musical sneeze, comes sombre funereal music. However, the work ends in a lively fashion as his spirit lives on, his name immortalised in old Yorkshire hunting songs.

Mr Woodward said: “We are very proud to be Kirkby’s town band. We wanted to do something for our bi-centenary that was a celebration of the town, an ultimate musical gift to the town from the band to say thank you for all the support they give us.

“We went to Dr Newton as he is world renowned across many musical genres and we knew the piece would be exceptional. He has, however, exceeded our expectations. The piece is awesome, he has captured the essence of Kirkbymoorside and district, produced a legacy for the town and an outstanding piece that will stand the critical examination of the brass band world.”

Kirkbymoorside Brass Band will be welcoming Dr Rodney Newton and the Brass Band Press to the World Premiere of the piece at a concert for the culmination of the bi-centenary celebrations on Sunday, June 14 at Helmsley Art Centre.

Tickets and further details are available by visiting the website ryedale.co.uk/kirkbyband or by phoning 01751 431886.