15th December 2008 Carols in the Castle Murley's recent successes have brought them to the attention of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward MP. Murley were invited to play carols at Hillsborough Castle at the Secretary of State's Christmas reception for the business and voluntary sector. Despite the cold December evening, the band enjoyed playing to a crowd of over 800 and rubbed shoulders with a few Ulster celebrities! Murley members with Shaun Woodward (L-R): William Lyons, Linda Emerson, Ann Bloomfield, Sandra Richmond & Avril Johnston 8th December 2008 Murley break 100 For the first time in Murley's long history, the band have broken into the World Of Brass official top 100 brass bands in Europe! The band have jumped to 92nd place - the highest ranked band from Northern Ireland. To view the table, click here. 28th November 2008 Prizes galore Last weekend saw the annual NIBA prize-giving ceremony and dinner dance in Ballynahinch. Several Murley members including president David Trimble were on hand to collect the prize for Senior Brass Band Champions, Ulster Tourist Board Trophy (best performance) and a conductor's prize for William Hill. It was an enjoyable night for all concerned. Pictured are David and Daisy Trimble with NIBA president, Margaret Campbell. The comments of the adjudicator, Markus Bach, are available to download here. Friday night was another busy social occasion as the band hosted a quiz in the British Legion Hall, Fivemiletown. Thirteen teams competed, but it was the combined brain power of Universally Challenged who pipped Clabby Donkeys to first prize. Many thanks to all those who donated prizes, quizmaster Boris Pinto and to Gael Haslett for the lovely supper. 19th November 2008 Quiz Night QUIZ NIGHT ! Friday 28th November @ 9 PM British Legion Hall, Fivemiletown £10 per table - EVERYONE WELCOME! 6th November 2008 Photos from Norway A slideshow of photographs from the European Championships, Norway, is now available to download. You will need PowerPoint to view it. Click here. 2nd November 2008 Murley - Irish Champions for another year! What a weekend for 'wee Murley' from Fivemiletown! Having become Irish Senior Champions for the very first time in their 84 year history in 2007, the band confirmed that it had been no fluke by retaining the title with victory on Saturday at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh. Murley's performance of the set testpiece, Voyage Of Discovery, was good enough to place them two points ahead of second placed 1st Old Boys. Adjudicator Markus Bach also awarded the band the prize for most musical performance of the day. Just like last year, there was unbridled celebration as Murley, who have for so many years struggled in this competition, tasted victory over a high class field. And just like last year, the band are indebted to their conductor's interpretation of the music. William Hill, who only became musical director a few months ago, has worked tirelessly to bring the best out of the Fivemiletown outfit, and his total self-belief and energy have been an inspiration. Murley now look forward to representing Northern Ireland at the European Championships in Oostende in May 2009. Belgium - here we come! 23rd August 2008 Ballinamallard goes barmy for Murley Band! Murley were invited to play at Ballinamallard Football Ground on Saturday. The NI Motorhome Association had taken over Ferney Park, but their members were forced to huddle indoors due to this summer's all too familiar rain! This created a fantastic atmosphere in the clubhouse which the band, under the baton of Lesley Maxwell, relished. The crowd were intially enthusiastic hearing a few marches and light numbers like Beyond The Sea, but soon, they were really getting into the music, clapping and hollering.   By the time Murley had played through Colonel Bogey, New York, NewYork and Amarillo, there was genuine concern that there might be a riot! Fortunately, the conga line that formed was well behaved and band chairman Stephen Bloomfield thanked the Association for one of the best concerts Murley has ever done. Also thanks to the guest players who helped out on the day. Afterwards, there was the annual BBQ at the bandroom courtesy of Gael and Erwin Haslett.   1st August 2008 Norway Nostalgia You can now listen again to Murley's performance of Vitae Lux recorded live in Stavanger. Click over here. 31st July 2008 Young players enjoy summer school Murley held its 2nd Summer School from Monday 30th June – Saturday 5th July 2008 in the Wesleyan Hall, Fivemiletown. Despite some of the juniors being away on holidays, between 18 and 22 children attended the summer school each evening, organised by the Concert Band Conductor Lesley Maxwell.They had a varied programme for the week including theory lessons, sectional practices and full rehearsals with some new concert pieces and marches. Murley's new conductor William Hill joined in along with the senior band on the Tuesday evening to give the juniors a taste of playing with the senior band. This year's summer school also introduced their beginners to playing as a group with 9 beginners participating in this. On two evenings Senior Band member William Lyons joined them to put them through their marching drills. Each evening of the week several senior members attended to take section practices and help with theory classes. The summer school concluded on Saturday 5th July with a rehearsal, quiz and finale concert in the afternoon followed by a barbeque and presentation of certificates and prizes. Thanks are extended to all the volunteers who came along to help out with the summer school which was a great success! 28th 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. 5th May 2008 Murley storm Stavanger 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. 4barsrest commented: An opening with 'Summon the Dragon was followed with the set-test piece 'Cornucopia', each atmospheric but each unfortunately had their troubles and didn't quite come off as a whole. 'Vitae Lux' was full of Norwegian life whilst the euph soloist next to play produced a 'Whilwind' of a performance. Continuing with 'I'll walk With God', full of contrast and poise they closed with an invigorating 'Shine as the Light'. Overall: A very comprehensive programme well balanced and well delivered. 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! 12th April 2008 BBL Spring Contest 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. 10 hour sponsored Music Marathon! Saturday 19th April 2008 Methodist Hall, Fivemiletown 10:00–11:30 Murley Band 11:30–12:30 Choral Singing 12:30–1:40 Piano Music 1:40–2:00 Solo Pipe Music 2:00–3:30 Concert Band (Juniors) 3:30–4:30 Vocal Solos 4:30–5:00 Brass Ensemble 5:00–5:30 Piano Music 5:30–6:15 Murley Band 6:15–6:45 Cavanaleck Pipes 6:45–7:00 Bands join up 7:00–8:00 Parade Fivemiletown All welcome to drop in at any time and have a cuppa! 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.   21st March 2008 European Update Murley have received the set work for the European Brass Band Championships, entitled Cornucopia. Composer Craig Farr (below right) commented: "The cornucopia, the horn of plenty, is an old symbol for something that gave people everything they needed. People get what they need from the planet, but have ruined things by greed. It starts off nicely, but ends on a sour and sad note." "I don’t want by piece to scare anyone, but rather give a nice taste of contemporary music. But it’s rhythmically more demanding than many countries will be accustomed to." The line up for the B section is as follows: Murley Silver Band (N. Ireland) 3BA Brass (Germany) Brass Band Frener-Reifer (Italy) Musikkorpset Gjallarhorn (Norway) 7th March 2008 Conductors Prize - at last!   They say, 'good things come to those who wait', and that was certainly the case for Murley's conductor Keith Anderson. Although the band received trophies for their NIBA victory back in October 2007, the conductors prize had mysteriously disappeared. However, the McAlister Memorial Trophy was recently rediscovered, dusted down and, after a several month interval, finally presented to its rightful recipient. Congratulations to Keith, who can now fill that space on the mantlepiece!   1st March 2008 Brass In The Valley 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 the file is around 2MB in size. March: The Champions (Major Willcocks) Awarded 'Best March' 23rd February 2008 Day of Brass 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! 16th February 2008 Murley - double champions! Not to be outdone by the recent successes of the senior band, Murley Concert Band lifted the junior band title at the Brass Band League Solos & Quartets. The win at Sydenham Salvation Army Citadel, Belfast, completes a hat-trick of wins since the band first attended in 2006. Their performance of the Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg was enough to snatch victory ahead of 3rd Carrick Training Band and Maguiresbridge Juniors.   There was further celebration with Alexandra Maxwell (cornet) coming 2nd in a large under-13 solo section and Shelley Cooke (tenor horn) being awarded 3rd place in the under-16s. Erwin Haslett (left), from the senior band, gave a fine perfomance of the euphonium solo So Deep Is The Night to claim 2nd place in the Slow Melody competition. Well done to everyone who took part, especially Murley's Junior co-ordinators, Lesley Maxwell and Robert Wilson and Maguiresbridge conductor Alasdair Cooke. 10th February 2008 Murley goes global! 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 8th February 2008 Spring Concert Success 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. After romping through the march The Champions, James Cooke (Soprano Cornet - right) set the standard for the evening with a stunning rendition of Memory by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. There followed solos by prinicpal cornetist Caroline Fleming, Linda Emerson on trombone and percussionist Judith Anderson. The first half closed with the tricky Peter Graham work, Shine As The Light. The second half opened with Murley in big-band set up, to wow the crowd with such numbers a Valero and That's A Plenty. For many, the highlight of the evening were the beautiful vocal solos I'll Walk With God and Benedictus (Karl Jenkins) sung expertly by Judith Anderson. The second solo showcase also featured Robert Wilson (flugelhorn) playing She and Boris Pinto (euphonium) who tackled Whirlwind. The band, under the astute direction of Keith Anderson (left), finished off with Riverdance. Many thanks to those who helped out, including compere Bill Caughey and baritone player Lynsey Orr - who travelled all the way from Wales just for the concert; it was a night to remember! 6th January 2008 Dungannon Council host Murley Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council invited Murley to the Council Chambers this evening to celebrate the band's recent acheivements. Mayor Barry Monteith expressed the council's delight that the district now boasts the "Champion Band" of Northern Ireland and also provided a large sum of money to support the band. Band Chairman Stephen Bloomfield thanked the council for the wonderful buffet and the band played a few marches in the council chamber! 24th January 2008 Young Soloists from the Southwest 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.