Sounds in Lockdown

Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Downshire Brass is busy working on a collaborative online project with Dynamic Brass, Wellington Memorial Silver Band and Harmonic Sounds Concert Band, which will result in two online performances in the weeks ahead.

Downshire’s Musical Director approached three other bands in late Autumn in advance of submitting a funding application that has helped secure recording equipment for the project and the four bands have been working on pieces since the start of 2021.

Downshire’s MD, Michael Alcorn said “It’s been great for the Musical Directors and representatives from four bands to meet and plan this project, sharing ideas on repertoire and technology and where necessary, helping each other out with any player gaps in ensembles.”

Speaking about the initiative, Thomas Woods, the Chairperson of Wellington Memorial Silver Band said “This initiative by Downshire Brass has enabled use to get involved in a project with all the bands to produce a musical programme for everyone to enjoy. We have been doing some recordings on our own, however this project brings all the bands together to share skills and ideas to promote brass banding to a wider audience. We all look forward to a time when we can meet again and perform together in public.”

Patricia Evans from Dynamic Brass added, “This has been a great encouragement as we continue this year with Covid restrictions in place since March 2020. It’s great to be together in music with other bands, sharing our passion for brass band music. To have something for our team to focus on each week at our Zoom workshops is a real encouragement.”

Speaking on behalf of Harmonic Sounds Concert Band, Musical Director Paul Hamilton said, “Like many other ensembles locally, we have been unable to meet in person since March last year, but have kept in touch and worked on producing some video footage last year. The band are excited to work on this project and have enjoyed the opportunity for all bands to share good practice together in a safe, respectful environment with the objective of generating online material for musicians and supporters alike. It is also hoped that members of youth bands from Downshire and Harmonic Sounds can be encouraged to join us in our love for making music.”

The first of two concerts will be streamed next Saturday 6th March 2021 at 7pm and will include pieces by all four bands.