Meet our vice-president, Arthur Butterworth

Arthur Butterworth took over as conductor of Settle Orchestra in 1969. His tenure lasted 21 years until his retirement in 1990, after which he was invited to become the Orchestra's Vice-President.

Vice-president,
Arthur Butterworth

A well-known and distinguished composer, trumpeter and conductor, Arthur has produced well over 100 compositions including several symphonies, choral works and pieces for brass band. He has worked with and supported many orchestras and bands throughout the north of England and elsewhere over many years, and was awarded the MBE in 2005.

Since his retirement as Settle Orchestra's conductor, Arthur has continued his links with the Orchestra and has been seen at many of our concerts. He has also written several works which the Orchestra has performed - these include the overture, 'Ragnarok' (performed in June 1988), 'Path Across the Moors' (November 2001) and 'A Dales Suite' (November 2004). In 2009, Arthur composed a one-movement work, 'Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra', in order to provide an opportunity for a young soloist to perform new and unknown music with the orchestra he conducted for so many years. The piece premiered on 13 March 2010 and featured local 17 year old violinist, Layth Hanbali, who performed the work with 'great sensitivity and virtuosity' (Craven Herald, 18 March 2010).

We were honoured that for our 40th anniversary in 2007 Arthur completely re-wrote a work first composed in the late 1960s. This new work, 'Creatures in the Night' ('Entre Chien et Loup'), was performed at our special gala concert to mark the retirement of Arthur's successor, Howard Rogerson, in June 2007.

In 2011, at the age of 88, Arthur is still actively conducting and composing, and is currently the conductor of the U3A (University of the Third Age) Orchestra in Skipton.