29th December 2004 Murley Live! Highlights of Murley's performance of Rodney Newton's The King Of Elfland's Daughter are now available. The original recording was made by Komodo Recordings and you will need the latest version of Realplayer to listen. To listen to the recordings, click here. 21st December 2004 Murley finish on a high note The end of 2004 has seen Murley record their highest ever position on the brass band rankings table. According to www.4barsrest.com the band are currently 136th in the world! For more info on this bizarre statistic, click here. 20th December 2004 Clogher Cathderal Carol Service Last night Clogher Cathderal resounded to the sound of organ, voices and brass as Murley provided music for the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The band played well despite being forced to sit on the cathedral pews - particularly awkward if you happen to be a trombonist! The service also featured the cathderal choir and a well choreographed play by the Sunday School children, entitled 'Countdown To Christmas'. 19th December 2004 Murley Christmas Dinner 2004 Friends and members of Murley Silver Band came together for the annual Christmas dinner last night. The event, held in the bandroom, was well attended and the three course meal provided by the wives and ladies of the band was second to none. The after dinner speech, traditionally made by the chairman of the band, was given by Stephen Bloomfield, who began by complimenting and thanking Willy Lyons for all his work as chairman down the years. A brief review of the last twelve months revealed that it had been a year of mixed fortunes. The deaths of several close friends of the band, particularly Alan Haslett and Johnny Malone, were remembered with sadness but there were many positive things to applaud including the band's performance at local contests and the establishment of the Junior Band. Presentations were made to Keith Anderson, David Trimble and James Cooke's father, Alistair. Jim McElroy recieved a presentation on behalf of band president Robert Hall, who has been very ill recently. The annual trophies were awarded to Niall Wilson & Judith Anderson, Caroline Fleming, Boris Pinto and Mark & Ann Bloomfield. Mark Kelly received the cup for 'Best Section' on behalf of the front row cornets and soprano. After the annual draw, organiser Erwin Haslett thanked everyone for the ticket sales and announced that the profit was in excess of £2000. The entire sum will be used to support the Junior Band. The celebrations continued long into the wee hours at Scott's Bar in Main Street. 17th December 2004 Carol Service in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan Ballybay, several miles south of Monaghan town was the location for Murley's latest engagement. After a warm welcome of tea and scones in the parish hall, conductor Keith Anderson led the band through a selection of Christmas carols and hymns as part of the annual Christmas service. Although the setting was provided by the Church of Ireland, members of all the Christian churches were present, including readers from both the local clergy and laity. Afterwards, there was mulled wine and many compliments for the standard of Murley's playing. Fivemiletown and Ballybay are in the process of establishing a cross-border twinning project and this concert has undoubtedly helped to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two towns. 11th December 2004 Festive Fun in Finaghy Saturday evening saw a ten strong group of Murley players, conducted by Ann Bloomfield, provide Christmas carols for the elderly residents of Finaghy, south Belfast. The short concert was held in the parish hall of Lowe Presbyterian Church, following a delicious Christmas dinner. The hundred or so local pensioners were delighted by a selection of lively carols and hymns interspersed with the wicked wit of Willy Lyons. By the end of the concert it was clear that everyone had had a wonderful evening to put them into the Christmas spirit. 10th December 2004 Carol on the march (at last!) 20th November 2004 Murley drop out of Entertainment Contest The committee of Murley Silver Band has decided to withdraw the band's entry to the BBL entertainment contest scheduled for December 5th 2004. The band are disappointed that this situation was reached, but it was felt that certain rules and rule changes regarding the contest were inappropriate. 14th November 2004 Remembrance Sunday in Omagh A crisp autumn morning provided a calm background as hundreds gathered at the cenotaph in Omagh today, in a poignant commemoration of the fallen of two world wars. Murley Silver Band led the march from the British Legion Hall in Campsie to Omagh Academy Grammar School where a short service was led by clergy from the four main Christian churches. The parade then made its way up Market Street and Bridge Street to the cenotaph. During the wreath laying, Murley provided a mood of quiet reflection by playing various hymns including I Vow To Thee My Country and a version of Elgar's Nimrod. Front row cornets Robert Wilson and Lesley Maxwell acted as buglers by performing the solemn Last Post & Reveille. 31st October 2004 NIBA Championships - Murley finish 3rd Murley claimed 3rd place in the 87th Championship of Ireland Band's Contest, held in the Ulster Hall, Belfast last night. The band gave a fine performance of Rodney Newton's testpiece The King of Elfland's Daughter, with soloists Caroline Fleming (cornet) and Mark Bloomfield (euphonium) on top form. The result is yet another example of how Murley's contesting performances have improved over the last number of years. It was a particularly happy occasion for musical director Keith Anderson as adjudicator Mr. Goff Richards awarded 1st prize to Laganvale. Congratulations to Laganvale, who haven't won the NIBA since 1995! Five bands competed in the championship section: Strabane Concert Brass, Murley, Laganvale, CWA Brass & 1st Old Boys (Seacat). The top three places were: 1st Laganvale 193 pts 2nd 1st Old Boys (Seacat) 192 pts 3rd Murley Silver Band 191 pts       Congratulations also go to our neighbours Roughan Silver, who finished 2nd in the Grade 3 section. Well done! 30th October 2004 New website! Welcome to the new website of Murley Silver Band. If you have any news about the band, send an email to: borispinto@doctors.org.uk 25th September 2004 Murley loses a great friend The members and staff of Murley Silver Band are both shocked and saddened at the sudden death of their treasurer Johnny Malone. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Gretta, children Ian, Alan, Roy and Barbara and wider family circle. John Henry Malone 1941-2004 19th September 2004 Open Rehearsal Day 2.30pm @ Wesleyan Hall, Fivemiletown Murley Silver Band are actively recruiting new members for their new Junior Band. If you or someone you know is interested in taking up a brass instrument, please come along to our Open Rehearsal Day 12th September 2004 Troms in the Park The opening of the new Fairgreen Play Area in the heart of Fivemiletown, took place on Friday 10th September. It was the culmination of several years of hard work by a local women's group to convert the originally disused council ground into a modern play park. On Sunday, children played and adults relaxed as Murley Silver Band concluded the weekend with a concert at the new play area. A representative from the Fivemiletown Play Facility Initiative thanked the band for a wonderful afternoon of music which included performances of On The Quarter Deck, Buster Strikes Back (cornet soloist: James Cooke) and Frolic For Trombones. 26th August 2004 Murley takes Silver The Laganvale Social Club was the venue for last Saturday's eagerly anticipated 'Games Night'. Forget the Olympics - this was the place to be, as the members of Laganvale and Murley pushed their bodies (and livers!) to the limit in the pub biathlon. In the opening game of pool, Vanessa Wilson, despite having won the hearts of the crowd with her unorthodox style, narrowly lost out to Laganvale conductor Ernie Ruddock. Unfortunately for Murley, this trend continued throughout the evening as Laganvale took a commanding lead in both the darts and pool. Even the best efforts of Murley's 'Euph & Baritone Dream-Team' could not overturn the deficit and the Wansbeck Street faithful ran out clear winners. It was a great night for all involved and we would like to thank all the members of Laganvale for making us feel so welcome. There was little time for the licking of wounds (or nursing of hangovers) as Murley were called upon to perform an outdoor concert at Antrim Lough Shore the very next day. The miserable weather failed to dampen the spirits of the umbrella weilding crowd, who were treated to a feast of fine music. Among the highlights were Caroline Fleming's sweet rendition of My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, and the hauntingly beautiful, Vitae Lux. Antrim Lough Shore: nice weather for ducks 12th July 2004 NIBA Championship Test-Piece announced The North of Ireland Bands' Association has announced the test-pieces for the 87th Championship of Ireland Brass Band Contest. Rodney Newton Murley and its fellow Championship section bands have been set a new work (literally hot, off the press!) by Rodney Newton. The King of Elfland's Daughter is a musical setting of a fantasy story by Lord Dunsany, and received its premiere just six months ago at the Royal Northern College of Music. The piece is featured on the new BAYV Cory Band CD, Wildfire. 6th July 2004 Murley entertains at the Highland Games The 26th June was the date chosen for the North Fermanagh Ulster-Scots Association's Traditional Scottish Highland Games. The event, held in Kesh, featured traditional Ulster-Scots dancing and music as well as the popular strongest man and woman competitions. Murley's 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys' (and girls!) Murley was privileged to provide a musical background to the proceedings, which included a crowd-pleasing rendition of Loch Lomond/Coming Thro' the Rye arranged by Gordon Langford. The various soloists of the band were also on fine form. Niall Wilson (bass trombone) gave an accomplished performance of the Disney classic, I Wanna Be Like You, while band stalwart Erwin 'The Bard' Haslett played a beautiful version of Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair - showing once again, that the years haven't affected his beautiful euphonium sound. Dicky Little: soprano on strike? No rest for Niall as the trombones face the spotlight again The band was joined in the marquee by the audience (attempting to avoid a sudden cloud burst of rain!) for their finale, Hootenanny. An enjoyable day for all - young and old alike. 28th June 2004 Congratulations and qualifications! Well done to both Linda Gray and Mark Kelly who completed their music studies at University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Linda obtained a 2nd class honours degree to join the ranks of the "Bmused" (!), while Mark is still awaiting his result. Linda also announced that she and long-term boyfriend Adrian are engaged - congratulations to them both and we wish them all the best for the future. 15th June 2004 Senior Members Retire Following the AGM in May, David Trimble has retired from the band both as secretary and drum major. David has given over 40 years of dedicated service to the band, both as a player in the early years and as a dedicated non-playing member in the 80's, 90's and since the millennium. He will be missed in both roles, but hopefully, will retain a keen interest in the band and we look forward to seeing him often. David has been made vice-president of the band. Herby Robertson has also recently decided to retire. Like David, Herby has been a dedicated member, having moved through many sections, from cornet to bass, during his long career with the band. He has been the big drummer on parade for many years and has always showed fine talent in his metronomical measure of time! Herby has also served in the region of 40 years with the band and we hope he will continue to support us at concerts and events. We wish both men a long and happy retirement. 12th June 2004 Murley musicians make the grade Congratulations to Keith Anderson (Grade 8 Tuba), Judith Anderson (Grade 6 Trombone) and Caroline Fleming (Grade 6 Piano) who all passed their exams with flying colours. Well done! "All Creatures Great & Small" at Castlederg Carnival The weather was perfect for one of the most colourful carnivals ever in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone on Saturday. The parade featured vintage vehicles, Trixxters Motorcycle Club, local rock band 'Jest', fire jugglers, stilt walkers and the Derg Samba band. But the centrepiece was a giant 200 ft long multi-coloured dragon float which dwarfed buildings and people alike. Murley, missing some key players, entertained the large crowd with a string of well-loved marches including The First Parade, Death or Glory and Colonel Bogey. 29th May 2004 Concert Brass Entertain Strabane Concert Brass showed, last night in the An Grianan theatre, Letterkenny, why they are one of the top bands in the country. Led by the young and charismatic James McCafferty, the band eased their way through a diverse selection of music including John Williams' Olympic Theme & Fanfare, The Prayer (arranged by principal trombonist Ronan Doherty) and Gaelforce. The talents among the band were shining bright in no less than six solos, including a very tongue-in-cheek version of Bass in the Ballroom (Gerard Bradley) and a sizzling performance of Helter Skelter by Brendan Breslin. The highlights of the night were Mark Bradley's stunning flugelhorn solo, The Children Of Sanchez and a moving tibute to the late Harry Gault in the form of the hymn tune, Lloyd. It was also encouraging to see many new young faces in the band's ranks. The concert also featured Strabane's Brandenburg String Quartet, Leona McWilliams (soprano) and Karen McGillian (clarinet). 22nd May 2004 BBL Solo & Quartet results The beautiful Courtyard Theatre, Ballyearl (between Glengormley and Larne) was the setting for the annual BBL Senior Solos & Quartets contest. Murley had an extremely successful day, picking up prizes in both the solo sections and small ensemble competitions. Boris Pinto (baritone) won the B solos at his first attempt with a solid performance of James Curnow's Rhapsody for Euphonium. Caroline Fleming (cornet) came second with a fine rendition of the challenging Soliloquy by Philip Sparke and Andrew Mulligan's (Eb Bass) interpretation of Variations On A Welsh Theme was good enough to grab third spot. The standard of the A solos was high with particularly virtuostic performances by Mark Ruddock (Laganvale) and James McCabe (CWA). However, the adjudicator, Mr. Alfie Burch was most impressed with Kelly Kaya's (Laganvale) cornet solo, The Debutante. Congratulations to Kelly! Murley 'A' came a close second to Wellington 'A' in the large ensemble. The septet consisted of Robert Wilson, Ann Bloomfield, Rose Withers, Boris Pinto, Mark Bloomfield, Judith Anderson & Andrew Mulligan. It was also a good day for Murley conductor Keith Anderson, who picked up 1st prize in the small ensemble section playing the duet In The Army alongside fellow Laganvale player, Mark Ruddock. Full Results: C Solo 1st: Adrian Crozet (Ballyduff) Bb cornet B Solo 1st: Boris Pinto (Murley) Baritone 2nd: Caroline Fleming (Murley) Bb cornet 3rd: Andrew Mulligan (Murley) Eb Bass A Solo 1st: Kelly Kaya (Laganvale) Bb cornet 2nd: James McCabe (CWA) Bb cornet 3rd: Mark Ruddock (Laganvale) Eb cornet Slow Melody 1st: Adam Smith (Ballyduff) Bb Bass 2nd: Ryan Gray (CWA) Euphonium C Quartet 1st: Roughan B Quartet 1st: Wellington A Quartet 1st: CWA Small Ensemble 1st: Laganvale (duet) Large Ensemble 1st: Wellington 'A' 2nd: Murley 'A'