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15th
December 2007 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.
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.
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. 7th
December 2007 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.
25th
November 2007 The NIBA have released the remarks from the 2007 Championship held in the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh. The adjudicator was Mr Derek Broadbent
20th
October 2007 The committee of Murley Band celebrating victory in the NIBA Championships 2007 with conductor Keith Anderson and President, David Trimble.
13th
October 2007 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!  
5th
October 2007 It has
been an extremely busy and productive year for the junior members of
Murley and their conductor, Lesley Maxwell.
Not content with a successful summer school and attendance at masterclasses
with Huw Thomas and the principals of the Fodens Band, the young players
travelled to Dungannon, where they were treated to an evening with the
recently crowned British Open Champions - the Cory Band from Wales.
15th
September 2007
11th
August 2007 Saturday saw the conclusion of the 7th Fodens Summer School at Armagh Old Boys. It was the largest summer school yet, and several junior members of Murley took part throughout the week. As well as the final concert and disco in the evening, there was a street musicians competition held at various venues around Armagh city centre and the Mall during the day. Murley juniors were represented by the appropriately dressed Disney Dolls (conducted by Lesley Maxwell) comprising Catherine Barton and the entire Maxwell family - Alexandra, Victoria, Roberta and even five year old Matthew on drums! The euph and baritone section of the senior band also took part, with Mark Bloomfield, Boris Pinto, Gunter Liszewski and Erwin Haslett dressing up as the Four Nations. Both groups thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing in the street and entertaining the locals.
7th
August 2007 Murley were delighted to be invited once again to play at the annual Enniskillen Agriculture and Craft Show - the event seems to grow bigger and better each year. While the outdoor stalls were bathed in summer sunshine, Murley provided music indoors. The large crowds were treated to a selection of famous melodies including Memory, For Your Eyes Only and Light As Air. A couple of marches, On The Quarterdeck and The Contemptibles, got the feet tapping before the classic closing number, Hootenanny. 3rd
August 2007
7th
July 2007 Murley Concert Band's first ever Summer School has been a tremendous success. Masterminded by conductor Lesley Maxwell, the week long event held in the Methodist Hall, Fivemiletown, attracted almost all the young members of the band. Each night featured warm ups, musical games, theory and a well stocked tuck shop! The children were taken in small groups or individually by senior band helpers with a full band practice at the end. It was an excellent opportunity to improve overall standard of playing, allow the children to learn new music and most importantly, have fun. Wednesday night was a particular highlight with a special percussion workshop led by Austin Gallagher, a tutor from the Southern Education Board.
The week concluded with a concert and BBQ at the Round Lake in Fivemiletown. Many thanks to all those to took part or helped out in any way. 23rd
June 2007 Murley were invited to play at Blessingbourne as part of a day-long event entitled 'Taste Of The Valley'. Unfortunately, the weather that has characterised the wettest June for fifty years was in full force and the band only managed to play for around twenty minutes before being forced to take shelter.
16th
June 2007 Murley Silver Band currently have vacancies in their bass section. If you are interested, please contact the band through the channels listed on the Contact page. 16th
June 2007 Murley Concert Band performed outside the newly opened Strule Arts Centre in Omagh this afternoon. Unfortunately, the bad weather meant that the band was squeezed into the front entrance to avoid the rain.
9th
June 2007 The annual Cavanaleck parade, to raise money for the Cavanaleck Pipe Band, took place once again in Fivemiletown. It was a balmy evening as the twenty plus bands - a mixture of accordion, brass and pipes - treated the locals to a feast of music on the march. In an atmosphere not too disimilar to Saddleworth, Murley (comprising a staggering thirty-two players!) led the start of the parade. As is traditional, Murley then combined with Cavanaleck pipes at the end to entertain the large crowd with such favourites as My Grandfather's Clock and Killaloe. 8th
June 2007
1st
June 2007 Euphonium players Erwin Haslett, Gunter Liszewski and Boris Pinto took part in the famous Whit Friday Festival in Saddleworth, England this weekend. They were part of Clogher Valley Brass - a brass band formed specifically for the event and comprising players from several local bands including Dungannon, Greystone, Warrenpoint, Armagh and Monaghan. The band (with a uniform sponsored by Guinness!) managed to play at five of eleven villages in the Saddleworth area, which lies in the Pennine hills between Yorkshire and Lancashire. It was 'Last Of The Summer Wine' scenery and the event was blessed with excellent warm, sunny weather throughout. Below
left: Boris, Erwin & Gunter relax before the march in Greenfield
The streets were heaving with people eager to hear and cheer the bands - some of whom had travelled from as far as Switzerland and Norway - and the atmosphere in the villages of Dobcross and Delph were really electric. The band received particular interest every time they played Killaloe - a piece not often heard in the hills of Saddleworth! For more info & photos of Whit Friday 2007, click here. 19th
May 2007
The event was a most enjoyable day out for all who attended. Many thanks again to Dungannon Council and their Mayor for another successful and well organised day. 1st
May 2007 Murley were privileged to be invited to close the Enniskillen Brass Festival 2007. The event was masterminded by the tireless Bob Quick and those who attended the Ardhowen based event were treated to a feast of music.
The main attraction was the legendary cornetist, Roger Webster, who dazzled the audience with his beautiful tone and frightening technique. The Tuesday evening saw several local bands including Churchill and Bob Quick's own band, St. Mary's Tempo. Murley, conducted by Keith Anderson, opened with the circus style march Jubilee! This was followed by Valero, Swedish Hymn, America (Neil Diamond) and a selection from Mary Poppins. The band exited in style with the ever popular Muppet Show. A special word of thanks to Kevin Harley from Strabane Concert Brass who kindly filled in for our 'out of action' soprano, James. 27th
April 2007 Murley's Spring Concert 2007 was a thoroughly enjoyable evening of musical variety. The concert in the Wesleyan Hall was well attended and featured the band playing some of the pieces which won them second place in the Valley Entertainment Contest. James Cooke had unfortunately broken his arm playing football (again!), so Laganvale soprano superstar Mark Ruddock kindly stepped into the hotseat. He gave a hair-raising performance of He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother which thrilled the crowd. Not to be outdone, Caroline Fleming (cornet) showed off the local talent with a beautifully shaped account of Swedish Hymn. This was followed by Robert Wilson's debut on Flugelhorn, with the heart warming solo, She. After a fine set from a local piper, Murley Concert band took to the stage for the third time at the Wesleyan hall - and with their largest band yet! Led by conductor Lesley Maxwell, the band gave polished accounts of Rondeau by Henry Purcell and Four Dances by Stuart Johnson. The highlight of the night, for many people, was the return of the Murley Choir. Choral Director Ann Bloomfield drew some lovely vocal sounds from the Murley singers in three songs - You Raise Me Up, All In The April Evening and It's A Wonderful World (starring Mark 'Satchmo' Kelly!). Conductor Keith Anderson returned to the stage with the senior band for a rousing finale of Hymns of Praise and Gaelforce (complete with Irish dancers!). The shouts for encore led to the popular march The New Colonial. Many thanks to conductor Keith Anderson, organiser George Graham and guest players Mark Ruddock and Davey Carson. 30th
March 2007 The Murley AGM was held this evening in Murley Bandroom and chaired by Stephen Bloomfield. Ann Bloomfield read the minutes of the 2006 AGM and Mark Bloomfield gave his treasurer's report. After a general open floor discussion about various aspects of the band, the new committee 2007-8 was elected by ballot.
24th
February 2007 Saturday saw the return of the famous Brass In The Valley Entertainment contest. After a ten year absence, the contest was resurrected by Keith Anderson and generously sponsored by George White and Sons Electrical Contractors. There was brass music to be heard from early morning until late in the evening from bands of all standards and from all four corners of the province. For older members of the various brass bands, the day brought back many fond memories of previous Valley contests while for the younger players, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day with an opportunity to hear some excellent brass playing.
Murley were the last band to play and received a tremendous reception from the packed hall. They opened with a dazzling account of the Latin-American style Valero followed by a circus style march Jubilee! - which won Best March. Then followed The Muppets and Barrie Gott's Swingtime Religion. Willy Lyons brought the house down dressed as a gorilla and doing his best to distract Bass Trombone soloist Niall Wilson in his rendition of I Wanna Be Like You. The band, accompanied by two Irish dancers, brought a fantastic day of music to a foot-tapping conclusion with Peter Graham's Gaelforce. Adjudicator Chris Wormald enjoyed his first taste of the Ulster band scene and congratulated all the bands for making the day so memorable. He also thanked entertainment adjudicator Mita Bell, Keith Anderson and George White. Hopefully the contest will return next year and become an annual fixture. The results are as follows:
17th
February 2007
15th
February 2007 Saturday
24th February 2007 - Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone. Grade
5 (Starting at 9.30a.m.) Grade
4 (Starting at 12.30 p.m) Grade
2 (Starting at 4.00p.m.)
Championship Section (following Section 2) Music
Adjudicator: Mr Chris Wormald 4th
February 2007
There are sections for all standards of band from Championship to Unaffiliated, and some excellent cash prizes on offer. So come along and enjoy the fine food, drink and brass music! 3rd
February 2007 Armagh Old Boys proudly hosted the Foden's Richardson Band (below) from Manchester last weekend. It was the seventh year in a row that the current English National Champions came across the Irish Sea - testament to their enjoyment of this annual event. Eighteen young soloists had the privilege of once again performing with one of the finest brass bands in the world. Two young players represented Murley at the event - Alexandra Maxwell (11) and Philip Bleakley (17). Alexandra played the gentle cornet solo The Sunshine of Your Smile, while Philip performed the beautiful melody Machusla on euphonium. The standard of solo playing has increased year after year, and much of this can be attributed to the hard work of the Foden's players, who give so much time and guidance to the young players.
The Saturday evening concert was a real snorter with some magnificent ensemble playing, solo performances and dry wit from conductor Derek Broadbent. Congratulations again to Ivor and Heather Stevenson for the hard work they have put into this project. The next event will be the annual Armagh Brass Summer School in August - so watch out for details and give your support! 22nd
January 2007 Some photographs of the band from previous years have been added to the gallery. 1st
January 2007 The members and staff of Murley Silver Band would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful new year. This year looks to be a busy one with engagements and contests, so keep an eye on the EVENTS page.
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