NEWSPLENTY ON18 July 2010 Downshire have plenty on this weather. With a few summer concerts still to go, we will be returning to the studio to complete our CD recording in mid August then heading to Troon at the end of August to compete in the Land O' Burns Entertainment Contest. This year, we will be entering the 1st section (in 2008 we won the 3rd section, in 2009 we won the 2nd section). Fingers-crossed, we will do our friends and supporters proud. Preparations are also ongoing for our 20th Anniversary concert towards the end of the year, watch this space for more details. 11 July 2010 The band would like to take this opportunity to welcome Judith Thompson into our ranks. Judith plays second cornet. She is currently studying occupational therapy at UUJ and is also sings in a local choral group. SPRING FESTIVAL CHAMPIONS24 April 2010 Downshire found themselves in Sunny Strabane today for the annual BBL Spring Festival competition. We proved to be one step ahead of the game as we are now second section champions following our rendition of Philip Sparke's Triptych. Our musical director Michael Alcorn was also awarded the trophy for Best Conductor. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of St Joseph's Brass Band for their hospitality and assistance and also the BBL and Strabane District Council for organising a fantastic day out. RUNNERS-UP AT FMT BUT WE DO PLAY A GOOD MARCH21 February 2010
A great day out! Downshire were in
Fivemiletown yesterday for an Entertainment Contest
organised by the BBL. The band returned with 2nd prize and
also the prize for Best March. OUTSTANDING SUCCESS AT BBL SOLOS AND QUARTETS13 February 2010 Downshire have achieved outstanding success at the BBL Solos And Quartets. The day started early with members of the Junior Band competing in both the under 10 solos where Tom Alcorn achieved 2nd place and the 12 and under ensemble, where they also achieved second place. Senior band members then carried the torch, with Joe Murray coming 6th in the Slow Melodies with "Share My Yoke", Oonagh Devlin coming 3rd in the 'B' Solos on Tenor Horn with her rendition of Demelza, accompanied by piano. It was then the turn of "Downshire 7", the band's septet ensemble playing Ronald Hamner's Seven Up, who achieved 2nd place in the Senior Ensembles, ahead of entries from Championship Section bands. Saving the best to last, the "Downshire Girls" quartet won the "B" Quartets with their superb performance of Irving Berlin's Puttin' On The Ritz (arr Alan Fernie). A very successful day, you're sure to agree. Well done to all involved. BREAK TIME20 December 2009 After a hectic December, Downshire will be putting their feet up for a couple of weeks. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and supporters a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. DOWNSHIRE IN CONCERT26 October 2009 Downshire will be performing in concert on Thursday 26th November. The concert will feature the Downshire Junior Band, Victoria College Chamber Choir and renowned local Bass vocal soloist Wilson Graham. Click here for more details. DOWNSHIRE OFF TO ARMAGH23 October 2009 Downshire are off to Armagh on October 31st to compete in the annual NIBA Championships. We hope to go one step further and better last years 2nd place. Good luck to all the other competing bands as well, here's to a good day of banding! COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE OPPORTUNITY15 September 2009 The band are seeking to appoint a composer-in-residence. Click here for more information. HUGE SUCCESS AT LAND O' BURNS31 August 2009
Downshire are proud to announce that they were crowned second
section champions on their return to Troon for the Land O' Burns entertainment
contest organised by the Dalmellington Band. Many of the band made a weekend of it and enjoyed the Scottish hospitality. Needless to say, there were a few hangovers doing the rounds as a result of the celebrations which ensued. The band would like to take this opportunity to congratulate contest winners Whitburn and also to thank the Dalmellington Band for organising such a fabulous contest. We hope to defend our title next year. NIBRASSBANDS.CO.UK LAUNCHED1 August 2009 To try and overcome the decline in the Northern Ireland brass band scene and to provide an online community for bands and their supporters, Downshire Brass have launched NIBrassBands.co.uk. The website is intended to be act as a central point where band members and supporters can discuss the issues affecting our local brass bands and to act as a medium for information sharing. REHEARSALS NOW 2 NIGHTS A WEEK27 July 2009 As the Troon contest approaches the band has returned to twice-a-week rehearsals. They will now take place 8-10pm on Mondays and Thursdays. DOWNSHIRE FEATURE ON BRASSCAST5 July 2009 Downshire recently recorded a podcast which we are pleased to announce has been accepted for transmission on the ever popular Brasscast website. To have a listen, click here. NEW MEMBERS AT DOWNSHIRE15 June 2009 Downshire are pleased
to announce the arrival of several new members. DOWNSHIRE TO RETURN TO TROON15 June 2009 After a superb result last year, Downshire are to return to Troon on the August bank holiday weekend to compete at the Land O' Burns Entertainment Contest. The band are all looking forward to a fun weekend, where we will participate in this fantastic event and hope to further improve on last year's result RUNNERS-UP AT BBL5 April 2009 Downshire travelled to Strabane on 4th April to compete in the Annual BBL Spring Festival. The contest was hosted this year by St Joseph's Brass Band and The Alley Theatre. Despite an excellent performance by the band, in which Adjudicator Alan Fernie referred to us as "one heck of a good band", a win was not to be. We fell just one point short of section winners St Josephs. However, a brilliant day was had by all and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate St Josephs on their win and to thank them for a great day out. Adjudicator's remarks available here
DOWNSHIRE TO PERFORM IN CARMEN AT THE WATERFRONT24 March 2009 Downshire Brass have been invited to perform in the popular opera, Carmen on 6th April at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The Ellen Kent Opera & Ballet International company who are staging the show, have requested Downshire to open the opera with a performance of Spanish Gypsy Dance. The band are absolutely thrilled to have been given the opportunity to perform at such a prestigious event. For more information, click here to visit the Ellen Kent website ALL SET FOR BBL22 March 2009 Downshire will travel to Strabane next Saturday 4th April to take part in the Annual BBL Spring Festival. The Band's chosen piece is Kenneth Downie's Purcell Variations. This will be Professor Michael Alcorn's first contest at the helm, and we hope to do him proud. Wish us luck! AGM SET FOR 26TH JANUARY15 January 2008 At a recent meeting of the band committee, the date was agreed for the band's Annual General Meeting. It is at this meeting that we elect officers for the incoming year. We also take the opportunity to discuss the band's progress over the year gone by and also to make plans for the year ahead. SEASONS GREETINGS FROM DOWNSHIRE BRASS21 December 2008 Downshire would like to wish all of our friends and supporters a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year. After a hectic winter engagement schedule, the band will be taking a well deserved break, with rehearsals recommencing on Monday 5th January 2009. DOWNSHIRE PIPPED AT THE POST02 November 2008 Downshire travelled to Armagh yesterday (1st November) to take part in the 91st NIBA Championships Contest. The band played very well under the baton of Dr Windsor Hylands and achieved a very commendable 2nd place. Despite the result, great craic was had by all. The band would like to thank Dr Hylands for his work with the band leading up to the contest and on the day. Congratulations to St Joseph's Silver Band from Strabane for their well deserved win. We would also like to thank Gerry Strawbridge from St Joseph's for helping us out on percussion on the day. Congratulations also to the Wellington Memorial and Murley silver bands on winning their respective sections. DOWNSHIRE REHEARSALS NOW TWO NIGHTS A WEEK02 September 2008 Now that our busy summer schedule is over, senior band rehearsals will now be returning to twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm. JUNIOR BAND RETURNS 8TH SEPTEMBERJunior Band will be returning after their summer break on Monday 8th September. If you would like to learn how to play a brass instrument and are 7 years old or over, please feel free to come along and see what Junior Band is all about. SUCCESS AT TROON23 August 2008 Wow, what a weekend! Downshire travelled to Troon for the annual Land O Burns entertainment contest organised by the Dalmellington Band. Despite a very early start for many of the band who found themselves in sunny Larne at 6am, the band were on top form and won their section by 5 clear points. Not only that, but we were placed 6th overall, which is a phenominal result, considering the higher standard of the Scottish competing bands. Only 6 points separated us and overall winners Whitburn and we found ourselves placed ahead of 1 championship section band, 2 first section bands and 2 second section bands. The band were also highly commended on their dress and deportment. The band played a very entertaining programme, starting with the lively American quick march "Shield of Liberty" then moving on to Bizet's "Galop", the compulsory orchestral arrangement of the contest. It was then the turn of our Principal Trombonist Warnock Patterson who played Hoagy Carmichael's "Star Dust" superbly. The ever popular "And All That Jazz" from the the musical Chicago went down well with the audience and was followed by tenor horn player Oonagh Devlin's enchanting rendition of "Suil a Ruin" from Philip Sparke's "Cry of the Celts". The band finished with "Breakout", also from "Cry of the Celts" and were commended on our effective percussion which included xylophone and irish Bodhran.
The band would like to pass on a huge thank-you to Stephen
Cairns who conducted us on the day and to Robin Clinton, Alan Hunter, Peter
Mercer and John Coates who helped out. We would also like to thank the
Dalmellington Band for their hospitality and congratulate them on a very
enjoyable and well ran contest. PAUL HAMILTON TO LEAVE DOWNSHIRE03 June 2008 It is with regret that Downshire announce the departure of our Musical Director, Paul Hamilton. Paul has recently accepted a teaching post in the Isle of Man and will be moving to the Island with wife Elaine and daughters Sophie and Amy in time for the new school term commencing in September. The officers and members of Downshire would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for all his hard work in helping to achieve our recent successes and to wish him and his family all the best for the future. Downshire are therefore seeking a new Musical Director. Please see our vacancies page for more details. DOWNSHIRE REHEARSALS NOW ONE NIGHT A WEEK01 June 2008 Due to the number of upcoming engagements, Downshire will only be rehearsing on Monday evenings through the months of June and July. Thursday rehearsals will resume in August, when we will be working towards the Land O' Burns contest. DOWNSHIRE HEADING FOR LAND O' BURNS01 June 2008 The band have recently
entered the Land O' Burns Entertainment contest which is due
to take place on 23rd August in Troon, Scotland. This is an
invitation contest, for which there will be only 18
entrants. Downshire will contest in the 3rd Section. For more information on the Land O' Burns contest, please visit the Dalmellington Band website by clicking here RUNNERS-UP BUT BEST SOLOIST12 April 2008 Downshire achieved second place at today's Brass Band League Spring Festival in Glengormley. Despite our best endeavours, playing Peter Graham's "Shine As The Light", a win was not to be. Congratulations to our Principal Cornet player David Corry on winning the inaugural Ross Aiken Memorial Trophy for Best Soloist. Adjudicator David Horsield described his solo as a "Champagne Moment" during the day's proceedings. Congratulations also to the 3rd Carrick Band on their well deserved win. DATE SET FOR AGM02 February 2008 At a recent meeting of the band committee, a date was set for the band's Annual General Meeting. It is at this meeting that we elect officers for the incoming year. We also take the opportunity to discuss the band's progress over the year gone by and also to make plans for the year ahead. CONTESTS AHOY02 February 2008 The band has a busy few
weeks ahead. AU REVOIR KIERON02 February 2008
Kieron Ferris, one of our Bass players has had enough of the
Norn'Irn weather for a while. He is off to sunnier climes of Toulouse in France
for a couple of years to build planes (or at least to watch someone else
building them) with Bombardier. Kieron's son Patrick is currently an up and
coming star in our junior band. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM DOWNSHIRE BRASS21 December 2007 Downshire would like to wish all of their friends and supports a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year. WHAT A NIGHT13 December 2007 Downshire Brass entertained the masses in Malone Presbyterian Church hall last night. Our concert was a fabulous success and certainly led to some foot tapping by members of the audience. We would like to thank Victoria College Junior Choir for their superb performance, it certainly set a festive note. We would also like to thank all of our friends and supporters for coming along and also everyone who helped to make the evening possible. DOWNSHIRE CLEAN-UP AT NIBA AWARDS25 November 2007 Downshire members attended the annual NIBA Dinner Dance and Prize Giving held at Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch on 24th November 2007. We collected several awards on the evening: Second Section Champions, The Jean Savage Memorial Trophy for Best Cornet Section, The John Beckett Memorial Trophy for Best Bass Section, and The Herron Memorial Trophy for Winning Conductor. A superb night's craic was had by all and our thanks go the NIBA for organising a great event. See here for photos. TICKETS FOR CONCERT NOW AVAILABLE17 November 2007 Downshire Brass will be joining with Victoria College Junior Choir and Downshire Junior Band to present "A Musical Extravaganza" on Wednesday 12th December at 7:45pm. The venue is Paton Halls @ Malone Presbyterian Church, Lisburn Road, Belfast. Ticket prices are £7 for adults and £5 concession. Tickets for the event are now available from the following sources
Our online shop
For further information, please contact Gary on
07939 98 68 13 MD COMPOSES TEST PIECE8 November 2007 Our Musical Director, Paul Hamilton likes to spend some of his spare time composing and arranging music for brass bands. He has recently received one of the highest accolades by having his composition entitled "Psalm 98" selected as a test piece for the2008 Irish National Band Championships to be held in Limerick next March. Psalm 98 will be performed by bands competing in Section 2 Brass. Check out the IABCB website for further details. Congratulations Paul! DOWNSHIRE TO ENTERTAIN IN CONCERT7 November 2007 Downshire are set to entertain the masses on Wednesday 12th December when they perform in concert at the Paton Halls, Malone Presbyterian Church. Special guests will be the Victoria College Junior Choir and our own Junior Band. Everyone is encouraged to come along and allow the band and guests to entertain you with "A Musical Extravaganza". A light supper will be provided during the interval. Tickets will be available shortly - watch this space. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!13 October 2007
What a day! Downshire travelled to Armagh to compete in the
90th NIBA Championship of Ireland and achieved a hat-trick! JUNIOR BAND RETURN 10TH SEPTEMBERJunior Band will be returning after their summer break on Monday 10th September. If you would like to learn how to play a brass instrument and are 7 years old or over, please feel free to come down so see what Junior Band is all about. WELCOME BACK OONAGH20 August 2007 Tenor horn player Oonagh Devlin has recently returned from America having spent the last 3 months teaching kids fencing (with swords, not barbed wire) at summer camp. EVER INCREASING NUMBERS26 July 2007 And so our numbers continue to climb. Our trombone section received a welcome addition recently with the arrival of Renate Braunschweig. Renate is originally from Germany but has spent the last 3 years working in Dublin where she played with St George's Brass Band. Renate joins Graeme "who's Russell Brand?" Erskine on Bass Trombone. BARITONES SWELL28 June 2007
The band would like to welcome our latest recruit Norman
Hamilton to our Baritone section. FIRESIDE QUIZ WINNERS ANNOUNCED28 June 2007 The band are pleased to announce the winners of the recent Fireside Quiz. In 1st Place, Michelle Slane from Belfast, in 2nd Place Dawn Murphy from Rathcoole and in 3rd place Robin Kirkpatrick from Antrim. We would like to thank all who participated in the quiz for their continued support. A NEW EUPHONIUM PLAYER?6 June 2007 The band would like to welcome Ruth Stepehenson to its ranks. Ruth was born on 5th June 2007 and weighed 8lb 7oz. Proud parents Neil and Sandra, and sisters Chloe and Megan are suitably delighted although Neil reckons than he'll have no chance of getting the TV remote now that there are 4 women in the house. On the plus side however, at least the dinner will always be on the table when he gets home from work. Ruth cannot yet manage a chromatic scale but I'm sure we'll soon be finding her a space in the learners' class. ADIÓS AMIGO12 May 2007 We are sorry to announce that the miserable weather has finally got the better of our percussionist Cliff Morton. Cliff and Linda have recently packed their bags, and a transit van, and headed for the sunnier climes of Torrevieja in Spain. The band would like to wish them well for the future. Cliff remains a member of the band, albeit that he can't make 1 or 2 of the rehearsals. He should hopefully be joining us for the NIBA contest in October. NEW CONDUCTOR26 April 2007 The band would like to announce the appointment of Paul Hamilton as Musical Director of Downshire Brass. Paul brings many years of banding experience and expertise and hopefully will aid the band in going from strength to strength. More details to follow PIPPED AT THE POST31st March 2007 We are proud to announce that Downshire were Runners-Up in today's Brass Band League Spring Festival 2nd Section. Only 1 point separated us and the winners Ballyduff Silver Band. Our selection for the own choice contest piece was Kenneth Downie's Purcell Variations. Congratulations to Ballyduff on a well deserved win. RUNNERS' UP BUT STILL BEST CORNETS28th October 2006
After a hard fought contest, Downshire
managed 2nd place in today's NIBA Championship of Ireland Intermediate Section.
Although disappointed not to achieve first place as we have done on the past two
occasions, we are however proud to have retained the "Jean Savage Memorial Cup
for Best Cornet Section". JUNIOR BAND RECOMMENCES MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
Rehearsal starts at 7pm. If you are not a
member, and would like to see what Junior Band is all about, why not come along
to a rehearsal at Malone Presbyterian Church on the Lisburn Road, Belfast.
STARS IN THEIR EYES13th May 2006 The band is very proud to offer their congratulations to Downshire Junior Brass for achieving 2nd Place in the under 15 ensemble section and to Amy Doherty for achieving 2nd place in the under 15 solos section at this year's BBL Solos and Quartets Contest. DOWNSHIRE RUNNERS UP AT BBL8th April 2006 Despite our best efforts, Downshire were pipped at the post at this year's BBL spring festival. Congratulations to Ballyduff on their well deserved win. (1st Ballyduff 187pts, 2nd Downshire 186pts, 3rd 3rd Carrick 184pts) FIRESIDE QUIZ WINNER ANNOUNCED16th February 2006 The draw of completed entries for the Christmas Fireside Quiz took place on Monday 13th February 2006. The winner was Emer Owens. NEW PHOTOS AVAILABLE11th January 2006 Pictures are now available in our photo album of our recent engagement in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast where we helped the charity Christian Aid celebrate their 60th Birthday. Click here to visit our photo album. THE TROPHIES KEEP ON COMING2nd December 2005 Downshire are winners again. This time at the NIBA Entertainments Contest held in the Queen’s Hall, Newtownards. The band successfully competed in the 2nd Section and also obtained the Best March prize for their stunning performance of R.B.Hall’s Death or Glory. WE’RE ON A WINNING STREAK!29th October 2005 What more can we say… Downshire have retained the 2nd Section title at 88th NIBA Championship of Ireland. Not only were we the best band, but we were also awarded the Jean Savage Memorial Trophy for Best Cornet Section. For details of all results please click here to visit the NIBA website. MORE DOWNSHIRE BABIES16th September 2005 Many congratulations go to Mark & Donna Sefton on the birth of Lana and Albert & Anne Shaw on the birth of Hannah (6lb 10oz). A NEW RECRUIT?19th June 2005 Many congratulations are due to Kathryn Stronge on the birth of Megan, who weighed in at 6lbs 11oz. We’ll hopefully see Megan in the learners’ class soon. 187 OUTTA 1000’s AINT BAD16th May 2005 That’s right, Downshire have now made it into the World Rankings! As listed on 4BarsRest, the band are currently ranked 187th in the world. I am sure that you will agree that this is no mean feat when you consider how many contesting bands there are. IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE WATER?6th May 2005 It would appear that band members have no luck when purchasing reliable television sets as several have broken down within weeks of each other. This appears to have led to much of the ‘other’ activity as they have had plenty of spare time. We now have 3 pregnancies to contend with: Mark Sefton (& Donna), Albert Shaw (& Anne) and Kathryn Stronge are all expecting. Our congratulations go out to them all and we hope to see many new members in the beginners’ class soon. DOWNSHIRE TO PLAY THE WATERFRONT HALL6th May 2005 The charity Christian Aid has invited Downshire Brass to play at the prestigious Waterfront Hall, Belfast for their annual concert in November. More details too follow… THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL10th April 2005 What more can we say…! The band competed at this year’s BBL spring festival AND WON! We faced stiff competition from the likes of 3rd Carrick and Ballyduff but when push came to shove, the best band won on the day. Congratulations also go to our conductor, Dr Windsor Hylands, on being awarding the Best Conductor’s trophy. To see the rest of the results click here. NEARLY BUT NOT QUITE4th April 2005 After a long day travelling Belfast to Athlone and back again, the band are pleased to announce that they were awarded a very respectable 3rd at yesterday’s Irish National Band Championships. This was a great result for the band and a great day’s craic was had by all. NATIONALS HERE WE COME12th March 2005 The band are pleased to confirm that they will be competing at the 40th IABCB National Band Championships to be held at Athlone Institute of technology on Sunday 3rd April 2005. HISTORIC BBL AND NIBA CONTEST RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE6th March 2005 Historic NIBA and BBL contest results are now available on our webpage. Many thanks to Cliff Morton for the many hours spent compiling this information. Click here to see the results. CHAMPIONEES!30th October 2004 The band are very proud to announce that they managed to secure 1st place in this years NIBA Championship Contest held that the Ulster Hall, Belfast. They were also awarded the trophy for Best Cornet Section. For details of all results please click here to visit the NIBA website. THEY’RE DROPPING LIKE FLIES…7th August 2004 The band would like to congratulate Mark Sefton on his marriage to Donna and wish them many happy years together LOVE IS IN THE AIR…4th June 2004 The band would like to wish the newly married Albert Shaw all the very best for the future with his missus, Anne (née Thompson) DOWNSHIRE BRASS ARE BBL RUNNERS-UP3rd April 2004 The band are proud to announce that they were runners-up in the BBL Annual Spring Festival in Ballygowan. They faced stiff competition in the 2nd Section where standards are continuously on the rise and were pipped at the post by only 1 point. The band wish to congratulate St Joseph’s Brass from Strabane on their win. |
