The 15th of July witnessed an historic moment for David Childs and the world famous Black Dyke Band. The band took to the stage at the Chichester Cathedral forming a highlight of the Chichester Festivities with a euphonium section '91on loan'92. David Childs played principal euphonium and on co-principal was his father Robert. Robert was the Black Dyke Band'92s principal soloist and bandmaster from 1990 '96 2000.

The concert was given to a capacity audience and featured the music of Johan DeMeij, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Walton. A particular highlight of the evening was a soloist showcase which featured the phenomenal talents of Richard Marshall, Peter Roberts and John Doyle, before guest soloist David stepped up to the front to give a firework display of Peter Graham'92s Fantasy on Rule Britannia, Brillante. Following David'92s solo performance, the audience were treated to an encore as father and son, Robert and David performed Bizet'92s operatic Aria, '91C'92est toi'85 Au fond du temple saint'92 known to many as the famous '91Pearl Fishers Duet.'92 This really was a moment of history and meant a great deal to David who commented,

'93In 1996 I performed a duet with my father and the Black Dyke Band as a 15 year old in the inaugural concert of Manchester'92s Bridgewater Hall. That was a very special moment for me, but 10 years on this performance eclipsed that experience. Dad was on superb form leading passionately throughout, and with my uncle at the helm and my sister performing as a guest player in the cornet section the performance provided a very special memory that will be everlasting for me.'94

Naturally there was a great audience ovation following the duet before the band left the audience with scintillating renditions of the 1812 Overture and their encore, Riverdance.

The following day on July 16th David again performed with Black Dyke, but this time at the other end of the country in the Leeds Metropolitan University Summer Prom. In addition to the British Open Champions, the concert featured the Leeds Met Singers and the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band who had assembled earlier in the day for some tutorage from members of Black Dyke, including their guest David Childs. Philip Wilby led a composers forum that featured solo performances from Joseph Cook and Paul Woodward together with a world premiere of a contemporary euphonium solo entitled '91Oratories'92 by Adam Fripp performed by David Childs and accompanied by a chamber group comprising of Black Dyke players.

The Yorkshire Youth Band were featured live on the BBC's Politics Show before the highly successful Prom concert began. Black Dyke's contributions included John Williams' '91Olympic Fanfare & Theme', Brahms '91Academic Festival Overture', Monti's '91Czardas' featuring Joseph Cook, Holst's '91Jupiter' and '91Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' opening with a quartet comprising of Morvern Gilchrist, Gareth Brindle, David Childs and John Doyle, before Bass Trombonist Adrian Hirst took the limelight performing the identifiable tune.

Andrew Dean was at the helm to direct the band and the Leeds Met Singers through '91Zadok the Priest', '91Speed Your Journey' and the Hallelujah Chorus before Nicholas Childs returned to engage the audience's participation in the '91Patriotic Fantasia of British Sea Songs', '91Jerusalem' and '91Pomp & Circumstance March Number 1' ('91Land of Hope & Glory') with Bridget Budge leading the singing.

The weekend proved a great success with both concerts in Chichester & Leeds demonstrating brass playing of the highest order.