25th February 2010
Valley Entertainment Contest 2010

It was another great day of brass music in Fivemiletown on Saturday, with 14 bands from across the province competing at the 2010 Valley Entertainment Contest. Run now by the Brass Band League, the event continues to enjoy major sponsorship from GR White & Son Electrical Contracts.

There were 4 bands in the Championship section and Murley drew the number 1 spot. They wowed the crowd with a dazzling opening number, Joy Peace & Happiness, featuring the various sections of the band walking (and in some cases, dancing!) into the hall. The trombone section received special praise from adjudicator Stan Lippeatt (pictured), while entertainment judge Ivor Stevenson commented: "What a happy gathering!". Murley strode straight into their march, Cross Of Honour, standing in true Whit Friday style. The mood calmed as euphonium soloist Boris Pinto stepped up to give a gentle account of Evelyn Glennie's The Little Prayer. This was followed by spirited performances of Puttin' On The Ritz (featuring the trumpet playing of Lesley Maxwell) and Make His Praise Glorious. The band, lead by William Hill, finished their programme with the moving Mansions Of The Lord, featuring the singing of David Robertson and the sound of Highland pipes.

Unfortunately, despite gaining the highest marks for entertainment and tying on total points with Laganvale, Murley had to settle for 3rd place. It was an enjoyable day however and the band were pleased with their performance. Special thanks to Mark (our Highland piper) and George Graham (our roadie!).

DVDs of the event are available from Robert Lyons Digital Productions at £10 each.
To order, click here.

15th February 2010
Murley Juniors sweep the board


Saturday 13th February saw the annual BBL Solos & Quartets contest in the Patton Halls, Belfast - and it was a very successful day for Murley's junior players. The young Concert Band musicians won an impressive 5 junior sections out of a possible 7 and took 3rd place in another with large entries in all the various classes.

Chloe Eagleson (pictured) won the under-11 section playing Bb cornet. She came top in a field of 33 entries to take home the newly dedicated Tom Mercer memorial cup & medal.

Stephen Crooks (Eb Bass) took the under-18 title while Alexandra Maxwell (Bb cornet) took 3rd prize in large under-15 section.


Murley also won the under-13 and under-18 ensemble sections, but the highlight of the day was the Concert Band's winning performance, under the direction of Lesley Maxwell, in the Junior Band section. There were six entries, but it was Murley who found favour with adjudicator John Houston. He made the following comments about the two pieces played:

Maryland March: "Overall an impressive ensemble sound and tight rhythmic playing."
As The Deer: "A beautiful arrangement – beautifully played. I liked this a lot."

Well done to all the young Murley players and especially conductor Lesley Maxwell and the regular senior band helpers.

31st January 2010
Brass Bands Entertain

Don't miss the forthcoming Brass In Concert 2010 @ The Valley Hotel Fivemiletown. Brass bands from across the province will converge on the Tyrone village on Saturday 20th February.

As always, it promises to be a great day of easy listening brass music. The contest starts in early morning and Murley will be competing in the Championship section.

The contest is sponsored by
George White & Son Ltd.

24th January 2010
Vacancies

Murley are currently looking to fill vacancies within the band. If you play Bb Bass/Tuba or Eb Horn and are interested in playing music to a high standard, please contact us. You will be made most welcome!

17th January 2010
Murley player gets Euro call-up!

Murley are delighted to announce that young tuba player Stephen Crooks has been chosen to represent Northern Ireland in the 2010 European Youth Brass Band. He will join 25 of the finest young brass players from around Europe at the European Brass Band Championships in Linz, Austria.

A spokesperson for the band commented: "We are absolutely thrilled that Crooksy has won a place in the European Youth Band. He is a very talented and dedicated member and if anyone deserves this, it's Stephen." The young tuba player was also awarded Best Youth Player and Junior Bandsperson of the Year at the recent Murley Christmas Dinner and heads off to the Austrian Alps in April.

16th January 2010
Christmas Dinner Success

The annual Murley Band Dinner was held just before Christmas 2009. It was a special occasion as an era was coming to an end; David Trimble and his team of dedicated Murley ladies were able to take their seats in the bandroom and enjoy 'retirement' from cooking duties! A wonderful meal was provided by the staff of Edfield Restaurant, and there were the customary speeches from chairman Stephen Bloomfield, vice-president William Lyons and sponsor, George White. The annual prizes were also given out:

Best Attendance Gunter Liszewski
Junior Player of the Year Stephen Crooks
Junior Bansperson Stephen Crooks
Senior Bandsperson Robert Wilson
Senior Player of the Year Linda Emerson
Best Section Euphoniums

A special thanks to David Trimble and the Murley ladies for their great service over the years, and to Mark Bloomfield and Edfield Restaraunt for this year's meal.

8th January 2010
Murley on the wireless

Tune in to BBC Radio Ulster this Sunday 10th January @ 4.30pm to hear the band conducted by William Hill. The show is repeated on Tuesday night @ 7.30pm. Link here.

7th January 2010
Happy New Year!

The start of 2010 is a busy time with several events coming up in the local banding scene, including the BBL Solos and Quartets and the Valley Entertainment Contest, Fivemiletown. More details here.

Armagh Old Boys are celebrating the 10th year that the Fodens Band from England have visited the Cathedral city and there are several events in early February 2010. For more information, vist their website at http://www.armagholdboys.com/

 

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