Wednesday, 25 March 2026 will be remembered in Downshire for the successful launch of its new Community Band - a group which brings together the talents of established and emerging brass players, united in a love of music-making.

Downshire Community Band made a memorable debut on 25 March 2026 to a packed St John’s Church Hall, Orangefield, where the buzz of anticipation was matched only by the warmth of the welcome from an audience of friends, family, and participants from the 2026 Couch to Concert programme.

Taking to the stage for the first time, the newly formed band immediately set the tone with a confident and engaging performance. Their programme moved effortlessly from the courtly elegance of ‘Pastime with Good Company’ to the rich familiarity of hymn tunes, before building to the stirring march ‘Slaidburn’. For many in the audience, it was hard to believe that this ensemble had only been playing together for a matter of weeks.

Reflecting on the occasion, the Band’s conductor and Downshire’s overall Musical Director, Michael Alcorn, said: “The new group played their socks off — it genuinely felt like they’d been performing together for years. There was a real sense of enjoyment and connection, both within the band and with the audience.”

The evening began with a vibrant opening set from Downshire’s Ten-Piece Ensemble, directed by Robert Mercer. Their performance brought an immediate sense of energy to the hall, with a lively and engaging selection of pieces that have become a hallmark of their appearances at venues across Northern Ireland. The ensemble’s polished and upbeat programme provided the perfect prelude to a night that celebrated not just musical performance, but the spirit of community and shared achievement.

Altogether, the concert marked a significant milestone for Downshire, highlighting the success of its inclusive approach to music-making and offering an inspiring glimpse of what this new Community Band can achieve in the months and years ahead.

Downshire’s Chairperson Robert Mercer congratulated the band on their outstanding debut and thanked all those who made the event possible: “This has been a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time, and I want to congratulate every member of the Community Band on what they’ve accomplished tonight. We are incredibly grateful to our audience for their support, and to St John’s Church for the generous use of their hall. It’s evenings like this that show the real strength of our musical community.”