A CONCERT at a packed St Paul’s Hall in Huddersfield showed a brass band at the top of its form.

Hepworth (Cookson Homes) Band had the audience in the palm of its hand from the opening Hymns of Praise, containing the 10 most popular hymns as voted for by viewers of the BBC’s Songs of Praise.

Principal cornetist Rob Westacott performed Eric Ball’s technical and spectacular cornet solo Glory to His Name.

Principal euphonium player James Fieldhouse stepped into the limelight as the second soloist of the night with Norman Bearcroft’s A Better World.

Carol Stephens, the third soloist, then proved it isn’t only exceptional brass playing the band is noted for with her unaccompanied marimba solo, Evelyn Glennie’s phenomenally difficult Little Prayer.