BBL SPRING FESTIVAL STRABANE, SATURDAY 8TH APRIL, 2017

The band enjoyed travelling in the spring sunshine yesterday to compete in the Spring Festival at the Alley Theatre in Strabane organised by the Brass Band League NI in Association with North West Music Festival. The band thanks the BBL and the Alley Theatre for an enjoyable and well-organised event.

In a closely fought Championship section with six bands competing, Downshire took third place with Philip Sparke's "Tallis Variations". The band enjoyed playing the piece and thanks all the players for their continued commitment and going that extra mile particularly in the run up to the contest in order to achieve a consistent performance on the day. In particular we thank all soloists and Ellen Mullen, Duncan McKluskie, and Wesley Thompson.

Congratulations tp 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band and Stephen Cairns for their win with the Raid by Oliver Waespi and Langanvale (Metal Technology) Band and Stephen Crooks on second place with Gilbert Vinter's "Salute to Youth".  Huge congratulations to Wellington Memorial SIlver Band and Gary Proctor for winning Band of the Year. Well done also to all the other competing bands for making it a great day of music-making.

As always, the band thanks their Musical Director Prof. Michael Alcorn for his leadership, energy and expertise. His continued input with the Junior and Youth bands is also hugely appreciated and crucial to the ongoing vitality of Downshire Brass and the band's ethos of music-making for all. 

The band now has a busy month ahead preparing to compete for the first time in the 97th Spring Festival at Blackpool on 14th May. The invitation is an exciting venture for the band. This would be impossible without the continued support of family, friends and supporters and is hugely appreciated.  We welcome involvement with junior/youth/senior bands, fund-raising, promotion, logistics etc.  Just contact info@downshirebrass.com to find out more and get involved.

Downshire Brass