DRUMBEAT: Maine men take pride of place at Rathcoole
LAST Friday was the sixth – and last – night of the 2010 Sons of Kai Flute Battle of the Bands.
During the previous five weekends 20 bands had taken part, so Friday featured all five heat winners competing for the overall prize.
In another packed Eastway Social Club, an evening with great atmosphere began when the five band captains entered and took to the floor accompanied by a lone piper.
Shankill Star Flute opened the proceedings, with total silence and respect from the crowd while playing. The Star set the tone for the rest of the night, with excellent pace, crisp and clear fluting and tight and consistent drum corps on display throughout.
East Belfast Protestant Boys followed, opening with Gunrunners and continuing with a selection of tunes all arranged in their own unique way.
The band justifiably said to be the most improved of the last three seasons, Pride of the Shore, were third on the floor. They maintained the high standard, with one of the most notable highlights of their set an original take on the 'Can Can'!
Gertrude Star Flute followed, with another set of excellent tunes well fluted.
Last band of the final were Pride of the Maine Flute Ballymena, the night's sole non-Belfast based outfit. The Ballymena men have always been recognised as playing with their own particular style, and this stood out again for many. Combined with excellent percussion and crisp clear flute corps, a varied set included both traditional and modern tunes plus flute solo. Their all- round performance saw the Co Antrim band come away with the title of 2010 winners of the competition, ending one of the most successful indoor band events in recent years.
Elsewhere on Friday night, Raffery Pipe held a fundraising 'Evening of Praise' in Ballynahinch leisure centre. Over 200 attended, with the varied vocal and musical talent on display making for a great evening's entertainment. One of the highlights were the hosts opening both parts of the night with a selection of hymns on the pipes.
Also in Co Down, South Down Defenders held a concert in Newry Orange Hall, with three bands attending. South Down's Star of Down Flute Maghera and Rising Sons of the Valley Kilkeel both were complimented by the large number of spectators. Third and final band to play, Ballymoughan Purple Guards Flute Magherafelt, ended the evening on a high. Resplendent in full uniform, the Londonderry band gave a superb showing.
In Co Armagh, Kileen Pipe held an original function in the local Orange hall, with pipes, blood and thunder and melody flute all showpieced. A packed venue enjoyed the vastly contrasting sounds from the three well-respected bands. The night concluded with a collaboration between Drumderg Loyalists Flute and Kileen Pipe that was well received.
Another pipe band function took place in the Bentley Night Club, Knockloughrim, this time for the Tamlaght O'Crilly Pipe. The hosts opened the evening followed by Pride of the Orange Flute Limavady and Dunaghy Flute Ballymoney.
On Saturday night the largest event took place in Lurgan Town Hall, where the Upper Band Fusiliers had organised a cultural music night. The small but always entertaining Corbet Accordion Banbridge opened proceedings, getting the crowd into good tune for what was to come. The hosts played next – the amount of work they are putting in to develop and improve very apparent – before Omagh Protestant Boys brought some melody flute to the stage. Castlederg Young Loyalists Flute followed with their own mixture of blood and thunder and melody flute tunes and styles. Newry’s Loyal Sons of Benagh Flute got toes tapping with a selection of rousing marching anthems, before the Omagh band came back to finish the night.
Lambeg Orange and Blue Flute held their annual cultural night, featuring a wide range of music. Lisburn Fusiliers Flute supplied blood and thunder, Lisburn Young Defenders Flute supplied melody while Dunloy Accordion had the crowd singing to a diverse selection of music including a rendition of Sweet Caroline.
Another incredibly busy weekend will see heat two of the Monkstown Young Citizen Volunteers Flute Battle of the Bands take place in Monkstown Social Club; Ballyrea Boyne Defenders Flute host a concert and disco in Ballyrea Orange Hall Armagh; and Pomeroy True Blues have organised a concert in Coagh’s Hanover House Hotel. Star of Down Flute Maghera are holding a 35th anniversary concert in Newcastle Orange hall, while the Blair Memorial Flute host a concert in Omagh’s Utopia Nightclub.
On Saturday night further Battle of the Band heats will take place in the Albertbridge Road Orange hall for Gertrude Star Flute and in Lower Maze Orange hall for Queensway Flute. Cairncastle Flute will have a night at the races in Larne Football Club, Ballycraigy Auld Boys Flute have a band concert in Larne Rangers Club and Moneydig Young Conquerors host a concert in Tobermore Football Club. The Taughmonagh Social Club sees the launch of a battle of the bands for South Belfast Young Conquerors Flute, while the Shankill Road Liverpool Club launches another competition, this time in aid of the Help for Heroes fund. Limavady Football Club is the venue for a concert for Edenmore Flute, and The Rendezvous Bar Newtownstewart is holding a charity band concert. On Sunday the Crown Defenders Forum have organised their second annual charity football tournament. Teams from throughout Belfast will be taking part, with proceedings starting at 10.30am at Ashfield Boys Pitch in East Belfast.
l If you would like to publicise fundraising, competition, cultural or indeed any events related to the large Ulster marching band fraternity, Drum Beat will endeavour to use all information supplied where possible. Drum Beat needs your contributions to continue to promote what is easily Northern Ireland largest voluntary arts grouping, and one of the most unique musical movements in the world. You can contact Drum Beat by ringing or texting 07835624221 or emailing admin@ulsterbandsforum.net, with all contributions, opinions and news from the country’s thriving band movement very welcome.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
