THE ‘TREBLE MAKERS’ WIN THE DAY IN THE DOWNSHIRE BRASS BLACKPOOL FUND-RAISING QUIZ!

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A wonderful evening of fun and the flexing of brains was held at the brilliant facilities of Cooke and Instonians Rugby Club in Belfast on Saturday 18th March, 2017.  Over eighty band members, family, friends and supporters of all ages came together under the watchful eyes of Deborah and Roger Doherty.  Huge thanks to Deborah and Roger for putting together such a slick and well managed event.  As the judge’s decision is always final Deborah kept a firm rein on the enthusiastic quizzers! 

The competition was lively with tactics and team names kept under wraps until the last minute. Creative imaginations were evident in names ranging from Weapons of Brass destruction to ‘Tallis’ The Answers.  However, the Treble Makers won the day, followed by the B Sharps with La La Band and Adarose taking joint third.  This is a considerable achievement considering that the questions required a range of knowledge from the Tellytubby’s and 70’s sit-coms to Geography, Science, History, Sport and Music.  

Our MD Professor Michael Alcorn presented the prize cups and chocolate goodies. The evening was interspersed with a raffle comprising an amazing array of kindly donated prizes and vouchers.  

We appreciate the support of businesses here such as the Willow Massage Centre, No Alibis (Bookshop) and Fred J. Malcolm Ltd (Jewellers). Mark Sefton kept everyone’s energy levels up with crisp supplies and the hose pipe was an interesting (and hotly contested!) addition to the range of prizes on offer. The band also thanks the numerous donors who were unable to attend on the night. It also appreciates the efforts of everyone involved in the evening, including the bar staff.  Taking the band to compete in the 97th Spring Festival in Blackpool in May involves considerable organisation and travel costs.  The band is self-funding and the evening raised over £700.00 to help send the band on its way.  The band would be keen to attract on-going sponsorship and donations and has an ethos of encouraging participation in music-making across its Junior, Youth and Senior Bands.  If anyone would like to donate specifically to the Blackpool trip or discuss wider sponsorship/advertising opportunities, please contact us on info@downshirebrass.com.

Enjoy the photographs and look out for the next Downshire Brass event!

BBL Brass in Concert

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The band had an enjoyable day competing in Fivemiletown yesterday in the BBL Brass in Concert Entertainment Contest at the Valley Hotel.  With a 1970s-80s themed programme, Downshire Brass was pleased with an overall second place and particularly pleased to win the Entertainment prize in the Championship Section with some slick moves and well executed choreography.  

Special thanks to our MD Prof. Michael Alcorn for all his energy, encouragement and hard work in putting together such an entertaining, innovative and enjoyable programme - not least with the disco lights (thanks Dave Bird) and 'illuminating' conducting style in the Village People Medley.  It was nice to see the audience getting into the groove and supplying the choreography!

Congratulations to Hannah Copes, Leah Forsythe and all the soloists for their performances and thanks all the band members and supporters who enable us to get 'on stage’. 

Finally, the band wishes to congratulate 1st Old Boys on their first prize and all of the competing bands and prizewinners across the sections.  Thanks also to the BBL and contributors who helped create a fantastic day of music making. We look forward to seeing everyone in Strabane.

Christmas and New Year 2016/17

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This year, the band’s Christmas season began on 11th November and ended on Christmas Eve.  Band members played at the Kennedy Centre, the Park Centre, Greencastle Methodist, Belvoir Methodist, St. Nicholas’ Parish, Belfast City Hall, Conlig Presbyterian, St. Thomas’ Parish, the Abbeycentre, Whitehead Methodist, De Courcy Centre, Tesco Lisburn Road and Hillsborough Village Centre.  

One of the highlights in the Downshire Brass calendar is the annual ‘Christmas Spectacular’ event which was held in St Thomas’ Parish Church.  Grosvenor Chorale was the band’s guest choir who, once again, entertained a packed house with a wide variety of music.  Downshire Junior and Youth Bands also took to the stage to show off all their hard work from the previous few months which was greatly praised by audience members.  The band would like to thank Grosvenor and their Musical Director Edward Craig for their wonderful contribution to the evening and to Rev. Paul Jack and the Select Vestry of St Thomas’ for allowing them to have the use of such a beautiful building.    

It has been a very busy couple of months and the band would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who invited them to play at the various events and for the support from those who attended concerts, bought CDs or donated money at shopping centre collections.  As you can see from the photographs, the band thoroughly enjoyed the festive period!  

The first event of 2017 for Downshire Brass was at the wedding of baritone player Gary Dodsworth to Catherine Woods, solo cornet player of The Wellington Memorial Silver Band.  The band thoroughly enjoyed playing at the service and evening reception, all agreeing that the new Mrs Dodsworth and her bridesmaids were stunning (and the groom scrubbed up well too!) Many congratulations Mr and Mrs Dodsworth!

 

 

Bass vacancy at Downshire Brass

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We are currently seeking to recruit a Bb Bass player to join Downshire Brass!

Our friendly band offers a good mix of contest, concert, and recording work and welcomes players both young and old.  The Band enjoys excellent attendance at rehearsals and has a steady schedule of events lined up over the next 12 months including participation in the British Open Spring Festival in May 2017 and work on the band's 4th CD. 

If you interested in joining this ambitious group, then please contact Paul on +44 7867 831327 or via email info@downshirebrass.com for more information about this vacancy, or to arrange to attend one of our rehearsals.

Downshire Brass rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.00pm - 10.00pm in Malone Presbyterian Church Halls, Lisburn Road, Belfast.

Autumn 2016

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NIBA 2016

Armagh NIBA 2016

Armagh NIBA 2016

On 22nd October 2016, Downshire Brass took to the stage at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh for the 99th North of Ireland Bands’ Association Championship of Ireland contest.  The band played the set test-piece ‘Music for the Common Man’ by Kenneth Downie in the Championship section and came in 3rd place. 

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Congratulations must go to our principal cornet player Hannah Copes who, after a great performance on stage, was announced as the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ of the section by adjudicator Steve Sykes.  The band thoroughly enjoyed the day listening to the other sections and catching up with friends from the other bands.  Congratulations to Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band on qualifying for the 2018 European Brass Band Championships in Utrecht. Members of the band attended the NIBA Dinner and Presentation of Awards held at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim in November.  Thank you to the NIBA Executive for organising a great event!

 

 

Festival of Brass 2016

The bands’ next event was the Brass Band League (NI) Festival of Brass at the Whitla Hall, Belfast on Saturday 26th November where both the youth and senior bands participated.  Both bands were awarded 2nd place in their sections and the youth band was also awarded the ‘Best March’ prize.  Everyone in Downshire Brass is extremely proud of the members of the youth band for a great performance at the contest and a special mention goes to Cathryn Lynch for a fantastic xylophone solo!  Six members of the band had not participated in a contest before and for some, this was also their first performance with the band.  Be sure to catch them at the ‘Downshire Brass Christmas Spectacular’ on 9th December!  

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During the awards ceremony, on behalf of Downshire Brass, secretary Robert Mercer presented the ‘Harry Dalzell Memorial Trophy’ to Isobel Dalzell in memory of our friend Harry.  This was then presented to Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band as winners of the Championship Section.  Downshire Brass hopes that this trophy will serve as a tribute to Harry for many years to come. Congratulations to all the prize winners at the Festival of Brass.

 
 

 

Downshire Brass would like to thank their MD Michael Alcorn for all his work with the band in preparing them for all of the events this year.  The band has enjoyed all the challenges you have set! Now, let’s get stuck into Christmas! 

 

 

 

 

Music in the parks 1930s style

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Members of Downshire Brass took part in a performance of historical brass band music alongside players from CWA, 1st Old Boys, Wellington, Ballyduff, Laganvale, 3rd Carrick, Sydneham Salvation Army and Temple Salvation Army.  

It was a great excuse to break out the full Downshire uniform which haven't been used since summer 2012.

The programe included: 

Hymn - Abide With Me,

March - The Elephant

Selection - The Student Prince

March - Colonel Bogey

Waltz - Amorette

Selection - Memories of Ireland

 

 

Hannah all set for the European Youth Brass Band

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On 22nd April, Hannah Copes, Downshire’s Principal Cornet, will be representing Northern Ireland in France, in the European Youth Brass Band for an exciting week of music making with an awesome array of talented musicians from across Europe. This will give her the opportunity of playing in venues including Valenciennes, Roubaix, Douai and, of course, Lille; where the European Championships are taking place. Our best wishes go with Hannah as she approaches, what will be a very challenging, but rewarding experience.

Cornet and Bass Vacanices at Downshire Brass

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We are currently seeking to recruit back row cornet players and a Bb Bass player to join Downshire Brass.  Our friendly band offers a good mix of contest, concert, and recording work and welcomes players both young and old.  The Band enjoys excellent attendance at rehearsals and has a steady schedule of events lined up over the next year.

If you interested in joining this ambitious group, then please contact Gary Dodsworth on 07939 986813 or via email gary.dodsworth@downshirebrass.com for more information about these vacancies, or to arrange to attend one of our rehearsals.  Downshire Brass rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.00pm - 10.00pm in Malone Presbyterian Church Halls, Lisburn Road, Belfast.

New Associate Conductor at Downshire Brass

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Downshire Brass is delighted to announce the appointment of Wesley Thompson as Associate Conductor.

Working alongside the Band's Musical Director, Michael Alcorn, Wesley will be helping the band prepare for a busy schedule of concerts, contests and recordings during 2016 and beyond.    

Wesley has been Musical Director of Comber Silver Band since 2010 and until recently, euphonium with the 1st Old Boys Band.  In recent years he has also been much in demand as a brass teacher.

Wesley said "I am looking forward to working with Michael Alcorn and Downshire Brass, and I'm excited by the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead."

 

 

 

 

New Year - New Opportunities

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Downshire Youth Inititative is on a major recruitment drive in 2016 to expand its Youth, Junior and Learner Bands.  

Downshire is actively seeking to recruit children for its beginners class on Monday nights - children from 7 years and up who are interested in learning a brass instrument will receive free tuition and a free instrument during the remainder of the academic year.   Expert tutors will provide group and one-to-one tuition over the first 12 weeks before children progress to the Junior Band.

We are also recruiting young players of around grade 1standard for our Junior Band and more experienced players of around grade 3 standard and above for our Youth Band.  The band is based on the Lisburn Road in Belfast with more than 30 children involved in the current Youth Programme and a further 35 players involved in the senior band.

Please get in touch via this link if you want to find out more about participating in any of our Youth Ensembles. 

See below for a recent performance by our Youth Band at the Festival of Brass at Queen's...


Downshire goes Digital

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The latest Downshire CD is now available to download on iTunes and Amazon.  The new disc marks the band's 25th Anniversary and is the 3rd CD that Downshire has released since 2011. 

The new CD includes the following tracks:  Strike Up The Band, When Thunder Calls, Blaze Away, Cry Me A River (Flugelhorn Soloist: Amy Wilson), Lady Stewart’s Air, Sway, My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose (Cornet Soloist: Hannah Copes), Aces High, Mr Sandman, Shepherd Song (Euphonium Soloist: Edward Wilson), Copacabana, The Witch of the Westmerlands, O Magnum Mysterium, Goldcrest, and the testpiece, Salome.

Downshire Brass releases a new CD to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Band

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Excerpts from Downshire's new CD which is available to purchase through the Band website or at any Downshire performance in the coming weeks and months.

Tracks: Strike Up The Band, When Thunder Calls, Blaze Away, Cry Me A River (Flugelhorn Soloist: Amy Wilson), Lady Stewart’s Air, Sway, My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose (Cornet Soloist: Hannah Copes), Aces High, Mr Sandman, Shepherd Song (Euphonium Soloist: Edward Wilson), Copacabana, The Witch of the Westmerlands, O Magnum Mysterium, Goldcrest, Salome.

Bb Bass Vacancy

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We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced Bb Bass player to join Downshire Brass.   Our friendly band offers a good mix of contest, concert, and recording work and welcomes players both young and old.  The Band enjoys excellent attendance at rehearsals and has a steady schedule of events lined up over the next year.

If you interested in joining this ambitious group, then please contact Gary Dodsworth on 07939 986813 or via email gary.dodsworth@downshirebrass.com for more information about this vacancy, or to arrange to attend one of our rehearsals.  Downshire Brass rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.00pm - 10.00pm in Malone Presbyterian Church Halls, Lisburn Road, Belfast.

In memory of Harry Dalzell

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The members of Downshire Brass are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Harry Dalzell, one of the band's most popular and endearing members.  Harry joined Downshire Brass in 2009; he was a stalwart of the Bb bass section and played a major part in the band’s progression to the championship section and its various successes in recent years.  


Harry began his brass band playing career at the age of ten on 2nd cornet with Rathfriland Silver Band. At 14 he progressed to the front row, and continued playing with Rathfriland until he moved to Belfast for work and college and joined Whitehouse Silver.

Later in life Harry moved to Crumlin and became a member of the Pakenham Band for nine years. During this time he also got great pleasure from playing trumpet with a big band for several years; he often recalled memories of wonderful arrangements and talented musicians. In 1980 Harry joined the Hillsborough Band, staying for seven years before his work and business commitments took him out of banding for 18 years. However, Harry wasn’t lost to the world of banding and made a comeback with the Wellington Band in 2003; later, he played with Laganvale Band for five years and then joined Downshire Brass.  He continued to enjoy contesting right up to Downshire's win at the 2015 BBL and the band's trip to the 2015 European Brass Band Championships in Freiburg.

The Conductor, Committee and members of the band convey their sincerest condolences to Harry’s wife, Isobel, and the wider family.  

 

Harry passed away this morning (25 August 2015) and his funeral will be held in Maze Presbyterian Church on Friday at 1.30pm.   

 

Congrats and Farewell...

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Congratulations to Brendan Coyle on his appointment as a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Aberystwyth.  

Alas it means that Brendan and Amy will be moving on from Downshire to begin their new life in Wales.  Amy, previously the Band's principal cornet and more recently flugelhorn player has been a key member of Downshire in recent yeatrs.  Brendan's achievements with the band have included many prizes as a trombone soloist, and solo performances for radio and CD.  He has also led the Youth Band since its inception two years ago.  

Fingers crossed they will be back working in Northern Ireland again in the near future.   But for now, we wish them well on their move to Wales.

In the meantime, the band will be seeking to fill these important seats as quickly as possible and the Youth Band will continue its fine work under Downshire Brass Musical Director, Michael Alcorn.
 

Life Membership for Cliff

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The 25th Anniversary Formal on 27 June 2015 was the perfect moment to recognise one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Downshire Brass. Clifford Morton has been a key figure in the band over the last 45 years and was the first Chairperson of the newly-formed Downshire Brass in 1990.

 

Cliff joined Reid Memorial Silver Band in 1970 as 2nd euphonium, and also played solo cornet, euphonium & drums on various parades. He was Secretary and then Chairman of Reid Memorial Silver Band from 1972 until 1990, and then moved on to become a founder member and first Chairman of Downshire Brass. He played principal euphonium with Downshire from 1990 until 2004, winning 3 BBL and 5 NIBA Championships plus the Irish National Championships in 1992.

Cliff emigrated to Spain in 2007, but retained his involvement with Downshire, being appointed Vice-President in 2008, and travelling back to compete with the Band until 2009.  In February 2008 he joined LA Concert (Rojales) playing percussion, and joined Just Brass (San Miguel) in April 2011 playing percussion.

The Band presented Cliff with an engraved silver pocket watch with the inscription "Downshire Brass, Honorary Lifetime Member, Cliff Morton 2015". Cliff joins Billy Harbinson as a Lifetime Member of the Band.

Speaking of the award, Cliff said:

"I am absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this way, I have always considered Downshire to be my band and the friendship I receive from members, quite a number of whom weren´t even born when the band was formed, is fantastic. I am truly honoured and very proud to have been made an Honorary Life Member of the Band.  But don´t worry, I´ll continue to pay my dues each month..."
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of Year Concert

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The collective forces of the Junior, Youth and Senior Bands were on display at Downshire's annual end of year concert on Monday, 15 June 2015, performing to an audience of families, friends and supporters of the three bands. 

This year's concert shifted from Downshire's usual base at Malone Presbyterian Church to the church hall at St Nicholas' Parish Church on the Lisburn Road, and the move seemed to find favour with  performers and audience alike.  

Downshire Brass provided the warm-up act to the Junior Band and Youth Bands.  The Junior Band, under conductor Roger Doherty, played five short, contrasting pieces including 'When the Saints go Marching In' and 'Super Trouper' - super sounds all round!   The Youth Band with conductor Brendan Coyle then took centre stage with performances of 'March of the Cobblers', 'Viva la Vida' and the ever-popular 'Hawaii Five-O'.  

The short concert was rounded off with three pieces by the Senior Band including the theme music to Jurassic Park and Paul Lovatt Cooper's big band-inspired 'You've Been Warne'd'.  

The evening included a short awards ceremony with David Bird, Downshire's Youth Development Officer, announcing the winners of certificates and prizes.  This provided an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work done by all the children in the youth and junior bands.

 

The Sam Doherty cup was awarded to all the children in the junior band in recognition of their collective contribution and progress.  Each one was presented with a medal by Michael Alcorn and each will get a chance to keep the trophy for a few weeks over the next year.  The Doreen Alcorn cup was awarded to youth band tenor horn player Knox Wilson.   

Our thanks to St Nicholas' Parish Church for the use of their hall, and to the parents and guardians who do so much to support and encourage the young musicians in the two bands.