:: Murley Silver Band ::

15th June 2008
Omagh Band Festival

Tickets are available for the Gala Concert - click here.

14th June 2008
Busy summer with new conductor

Murley have been very busy over the last few weeks with several concerts including playing at Richmond Primary School (Ballygawley) and the Portora Royal School Ball at the Killyhevlin Hotel. Next week's engagments include a recording for BBC Radio Ulster and a concert at Omagh's Midsummer Carnival.

The band are delighted to have William Hill as musical director for these forthcoming gigs. William is Head of Music at Glengormley High School has been working hard with the band over the last month.

17th May 2008
Murley hit national airwaves!

Murley Silver Band were featured last night on BBC Radio 2's famous Listen To The Band. Presenter Frank Renton chose Murley's performance of Vitae Lux (Frode Alnaes arr. Agaard-Nilsen) for inclusion in the first of two programmes featuring music from the Europeans in Stavanger. Frank also interviewed conductor Keith Anderson about Murley's first experience of European competition.

11th May 2008
More success for Murley youngster

Congratulations to Alexandra Maxwell (12), the principal cornet of Murley Concert Band, who has secured a place in the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain (NCBB). Her audition with Mark Wilkinson (Fodens Band) in Armagh last February was successful and she will join up with other talented youngsters (aged 12 and under) from across the UK.

The NCBB Summer Course will take place at Bromsgrove School (near Birmingham) from July 23rd to July 27th 2008, under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Childs. This is a fantastic acheivement and opportunity to develop musically - well done Alexandra!

8th May 2008
Musical Director position - VACANT

Murley Silver Band are seeking to appoint a new musical director, preferably with previous conducting experience. If you are interested, please contact Ann Bloomfield (secretary):

E-mail: thebloomfields6@btinternet.com

Tel: (028) 8952 2299
Mob: 07855 599 680

Postal address:
Ann Bloomfield,
144 Clabby Road,
Camgart,
Fivemiletown
BT75 0RD

6th May 2008
Keith Anderson departs from Murley

Murley Silver Band have parted company with Musical Director Keith Anderson.

Murley would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Keith for all his hard work, effort and dedication over the last nine years. Keith was the first conductor to realise the band's dream of becoming NIBA champions and playing in the European Championships; we wish him well with all his future endeavours.

Murley Silver Band were privileged to participate in the European Brass Band Championships for the first time in their 84 year history this weekend. Murley were in the B-section with three other bands from Italy, Norway and Germany.

The band (plus supporters!) arrived in Stavanger on Friday morning to find themselves drawn fourth in the competition. At the rehearsal in the hotel that evening, euphonium player Boris Pinto discovered that his instrument had been badly damaged by the airport baggage throwers. Fortunately, although the damage would be expensive to fix, it was cosmetic - at least the valves still moved!

An early start on Saturday morning saw the band make the short journey to the beautiful and intimate Stavanger Concert Hall at the Bjerstedt Park (above). After a warm up and photographs, the band took to stage announced by compere, Frank Renton. Murley, conducted by Keith Anderson, opened with Summon The Dragon, followed by the set test piece, Cornucopia. After a lovely rendition of Vitae Lux, featuring Robert Wilson (flugel) and principal cornet Caroline Fleming, Boris Pinto (euphonium) took the spotlight with Peter Graham's tricky solo Whirlwind. After a gentle version of I'll Walk With God, Murley concluded with Shine As The Light.

Sadly, the band could only manage fourth place, but it had been an exhilarating experience for all the players in Murley's first foray into European brass competition. In true Fivemiletown style, the players still had a great night at the European Party in Atlantic Hall, rubbing shoulders with the celebrities of the brass world. Sunday was a more relaxed affair with a boat trip along the famous fjords and a wonderful evening of singing in the Alexander Bar.

Many thanks to all those who helped to make Norway 2008 such a great trip - Stephen, Ann and Mark Bloomfield; our conductor Keith Anderson; our sponsor George White; Ciaran O'Hare and Erne Travel; guest players Kieran McBride (Strabane) and Gareth Downey (Laganvale) and tour manager Boris Pinto. A special word also for George 'The Geordie' Liddiard, our guide in Stavanger!

Murley Silver Band took part in the BBL Spring Contest today at Glengormley High School. Unfortunately, the current Northern Ireland champions didn't perform to their best abilities, which is essential against such good bands as 1st Old Boys. The band's performance of A London Overture by Philip Sparke was placed fourth.

If you would like to sponsor the band, please contact us or approach any of the members on the day or beforehand. All proceeds in aid of European tour to Norway to represent NI in European Brass Band Championships in May 2008.

Murley have received the set work for the European Brass Band Championships, entitled Cornucopia. Composer Craig Farr (below right) commented:

You can now listen to some of the music featured in Murley's programme from the Entertainment Contest in the Valley Hotel last weekend. Windows Media Player is
required and each file is around 2MB in size.

Fivemiletown was a busy place on Saturday, with bands from across Northern Ireland attending the Brass In Concert event at the Valley Hotel. This is the second year the contest has been held since George White & Son began a new sponsorship programme last year. From the first notes played at 10am in the Grade 5 section until the Championship section in the evening, there was a large and enthusiastic crowd in the hall.

There were only two bands in the top section, but both Murley and 1st Old Boys acquitted themselves well. Murley began with Summon The Dragon followed by The Champions - which was awarded Best March. James Cooke (soprano cornet) took the spotlight with the solo Memory as did prinicpal euphonium Boris Pinto, who played Whirlwind. The band also played That's A Plenty and concluded with Bill Bailey (Won't You Please Come Home?). Unfortunately, despite the support of the home crowd, Murley had to settle for second place as adjudicator Alan Fernie awarded top prize to 1st Old Boys. Congratulations to the Belfast outfit and their principal euphonium Alan Haworth, who picked up the prize for best soloist.

Many thanks to the contest organisers lead by Keith Anderson and Rodney White and to all those who bought tickets to support George White's chosen charity, Chest, Heart & Stroke. Lets hope there are even more bands next year!

Murley's recent successes have brought them to the attention of brass enthusiasts across the world, including New Zealander's Peter Ryan and Lucas Burns. The Kiwi pair run a website called Brasscast featuring bands from around the world which attracts a weekly audience of over 6000.

Murley are the guests this week and you can find Brasscast.com on the Links page or download the podcast from http://www.brasscast.com/main.htm

The Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen was the venue for Murley's first major concert of 2008 and was a celebration of their new status as "Champions of Northern Ireland". The capacity audience was treated to a feast of music which showed off not only the band itself, but its many talented young soloists.

Fivemiletown College was filled with the sound of brass as young players from across Fermanagh and South Tyrone participated in an event kindly sponsored by Ivor Stevenson of Armagh Old Boys. Murley were delighted to accompany the young soloists from Murley, Ballyreagh and Maguiresbridge who ranged in age from eight to eighteen.

Saturday night was the annual Christmas Dinner in Murley Band room. Although it is a traditional event which has changed little for the last 25 years, this year was particularly special considering the band's recent successes.

Jim McElroy presents the cup for Best Section to the Flugel & Horns
L-R: Avril, Robert, Carol, Alanagh and Ann

Chairman Stephen Bloomfield paid tribute to conductor Keith Anderson, the committee and all the players for their hard work this year. He also urged everyone to give the commitment needed to make 2008 another special year by continuing to raise the standard of playing. In response, Robert Wilson thanked Stephen for his total dedication and leadership of Murley in their 'Champion Year'. George White also made an announcement that his company, GR White & Son Electrical Contractors, have agreed a two year sponsorship deal to support the band's development.

Left: Robert Wilson holds aloft one of Murley's Championship trophies
Middle: Stephen Bloomfield, who was thanked for his work as Chairman
Right: The band's new sponsor, Mr George White

The Murley ladies excelled themselves once again with a fine roast beef dinner and the revelry continued long into the wee hours at Scott's Bar.

Friday night was quiz night in Fivemiletown as band members and friends gathered in the British Legion Hall. Although the quiz appeared to be a two-horse race between the Robertson clan and Rab Wilson's 'A-Team', it was Niall Wilson and his three lovely lady friends who came out on top in the final round. Many thanks to those who took part - the event raised over £200.

The NIBA have released the remarks from the 2007 Championship held in the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh. The adjudicator was Mr Derek Broadbent

The committee of Murley Band celebrating victory in the NIBA Championships 2007 with conductor Keith Anderson and President, David Trimble.

Back row (L-R): Boris Pinto, Avril Johnston, George Graham,
Mark & Ann Bloomfield, Robert Wilson
Front row: David Trimble, Keith Anderson, Willy Lyons
Missing: Stephen Bloomfield

Conductor Keith Anderson celebrating with principal players
Boris Pinto, Caroline Fleming & James Cooke

It was one of the greatest days in Murley Band's long history; from a third place draw, the band gave a fine performance of Bramwell Tovey's Coventry Variations that not only ended a 20 year wait for a senior trophy, but also gave the band their first ever NIBA Championship and the title of North of Ireland Champions. Judging from the rapturous applause immediately after the performance and the warm congratulations from fellow bandspeople, it was clear that Murley had deserved victory this year.

Adjudicator Derek Broadbent praised the soloists and particularly conductor Keith Anderson's interpretation, which pipped last year's winners, 1st Old Boys, to the title. As Champions, the band also qualify for the EBBA European Brass Band Championships 2008 in Stavanger, Norway.

It was a day of high emotion for all concerned, particularly those who had played in Murley's last senior competition victory back in 1987. Band Chairman Stephen Bloomfield was full of praise for all the players and in particular, conductor Keith Anderson. "Keith has put an unbelievable amount of time and energy into the last few weeks and our preparation this year has been second to none," he said. That preparation was augmented by the talented Welsh conductor Huw Thomas who was present at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh to savour victory with the band. Needless to say, the celebrations went on long into the night in Fivemiletown!