Composer honoured by university

Mr Howarth has worked with orchestras across the world

A composer has been honoured by the University of Huddersfield for his services to classical music.

Elgar Howarth, 73, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a ceremony at The Civic, in Barnsley.

Mr Howarth was born in Cannock, Staffs, and has worked with many orchestras. He has also conducted operas.

Before the ceremony he led a procession through the town with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who performed the King Cotton march by Sousa.

Mr Howarth was educated at Manchester University and the Royal Manchester College of Music.

He studied as a composer and trumpeter and played in the Royal Opera House Orchestra and London Sinfonietta.

In 1972 he conducted the premiere of Gyorgy Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre in Stockholm.

His work has recently been performed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.