Here’s where you could help us. Nowadays, we feature the biographies of our conductors regularly in our concert programmes. Back in the 1920s and 1930s they barely got a mention. So we know that J Fletcher Sykes took up the baton as conductor in 1920 and that he was succeeded by F W Sykes sometime in the early 1930s. But beyond that – we know next to nothing about either of them!
Musicians reputedly have long memories but even we can’t yet trace these two to any significant degree. Is there anyone out there with information or leads they can suggest to us? We would be delighted to hear from you. Please post a comment on the site or use the contact details to e-mail us if you prefer. It was through the previous website that we obtained the details about William Henry Cross that feature there, so there is every chance of success.
Conductors encourage players to hunt the tune within the orchestra – now you can all play hunt the conductor with us!
Just to mention, as a young lad I was a trombonist with the orchestra in the late 1950’s before transfering to the bass section (in those days bass my second instrument) in 1962. I continued to play bass with the Phil until I left the district in 1967.
Your request for details of conductors J Fletcher Sykes and F W Sykes set me thinking. Could I suggest you contact Huddersfield & District Family History Society with a view to requesting a mention of this in their quarterly Journal. I would not be surprised if some society members know of descendents or relatives of the men in question. The Society’s Secretary is Alan Stewart-Kaye and his email address is secretary@hdfhs.org.uk.
Incidentally, after something over 50 years of bass playing I’m still as enthusiastic as ever – now with Cardiff Philharmonic (virtually a professional outfit putting on between 15 and 20 concerts a year)
I’ve very happy memories of playing in the Hudds Phil with alongside bass colleagues Bamford Hoyle, Harold Bray, Roland Iredale, Doug Jackson and Cyril Bottomley ex-Halle & Arthur Burgan ex-CBSO (all sadly passed on). I suspect there would no-one in the Phil who would remember me now.
Kind regards Edward Hellewell