The finale from Beethoven's 5th Symphony got the evening off to a crisp, bright start.
All sections of the splendid Calderdale Youth Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Langdon, were watchful and focused and the tricky ending was spot on.
Incisive brass dialogued with mellow, perfectly pitched strings in Holst's Jupiter from The Planets conducted by Brian Snellgrove.
Halifax Music Centre Strings displayed their versatility in the tender Feather Theme from Forrest Gump, conducted by Linda Davidson, and some lively Celtic and American reels conducted by Glenis Ireland who also directed the Fiddle Group in The Rocky Road to Dublin and John Ryan's Polka, the audience clapping along to the irresistible beat.
Michele Northam conducted the enthusiastic Adult Class String Group in expressive, refined accounts of the 3rd movement of Bach's demanding 2nd Brandenburg Concerto and the Minuet Trio and Rondo from Mozart's String Quartet no I in G major K80.
The Violin Quartet gave a well-paced account of Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.
James Wood, Laurie Moss and Lucie Breton, confidently playing violin solos accompanied by pianist Diane Davison, are all musicians with promising futures.
As are Helen Wright, so memorable recently in Calderdale Theatre School's superb Caucasian Chalk Circle and Calderdale Youth Orchestra leader, and flautist Hannah Wood who both received special trophies from the Mayor.
Julia Anderson