Drum Beat: Four counties unite for evening of music
Maghera Sons of William flute band
SEVERAL high-profile indoor band events took place at the weekend, with Co Antrim and Co Tyrone venues.
On Friday night Dunloy Accordion held their annual concert in the Braid Theatre, with a diverse musical selection appearing. The host band’s concert ensemble opened proceedings, with highlights including the march Punchinello, Scottish traditional air After the Battle and a vocal rendition of Caledonia.
The hosts were followed by the 3rd Carrickfergus Brass Band, who brought a massive band of over 30 on to the stage, supplying a full rich sound that filled the hall. An entertaining set included some instantly recognisable anthems including film themes, Glenn Miller and Gershwin standards.
Londonderry band Maiden City Beat provided a change of tempo and approach after the interval, before the Regimental Band of the Ulster Volunteer Force brought a close to the proceedings.
The east Belfast band treated the audience to a superb selection of marches and traditional tunes, with a fantastic insight given into both the band’s concert and ‘on the road’ capabilities.
During the evening drum major Davy Mercer made the impressive presentation of £3,000 to a representative of Help the Heroes, raised by the Beating Retreat event staged in Seaview last year. On Saturday night the focus switched to the Tyrone village of Coagh where the Tamlaghtmore Flute held a concert to raise funds for new band uniforms.
In all four bands from across four counties performed, each bringing their own particular style to the proceedings.
Dunmurry Protestant Boys Flute were first with some strong Blood and Thunder, closely followed by the Barron Accordion from Donemana. The youthful accordion band membership got a great crowd reaction with a very energetic performance.
Freeman Memorial Flute Coleraine supplied another powerful showing, before the night’s final band appeared in the form of Synotts True Blues Flute South Armagh. The Newtownhamilton men and women are a relatively new addition to the band scene, but had the crowd singing along to a set of time-honoured favourites.
Indoor events continue this weekend with Friday night seeing a Burns night concert in the Cookstown British Legion in aid of the Tullylagan Pipe.
On Saturday night the Shankill Star Flute holds the first heat of a battle of the bands in Liverpool Social Club. Bands appearing include Goldsprings True Defenders, Dunmurry Protestant Boys and Portavogie Flute.
Elsewhere on Saturday night the Ulster Grenadiers Flute are the organisers in Barn United Football Club, with Village Flute Ballycarry, Ballylesson Old Boys and Ulster First Flute on the bill.
Drum Beat will be continuing throughout the winter, however the focus will change to the ever- growing schedule of indoor band events, the formation of new bands and the ongoing work and practice of our existing bands.
If you would like to publicise fundraising, competition, cultural or indeed any events related to the large Ulster marching band community you can contact Drum Beat by ringing or texting Quincey on 07835624221 or emailing quincey@ulsterbandsforum.net, with all contributions, opinions and news from the country’s thriving band movement very welcome.
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Weather for Belfast
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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