9th November 2009 BBC Radio Ulster broadcast Murley are the guests of Joe McKee on Radio Ulster's 'Strike Up the Band'. The recording will be broadcast tomorrow, Tuesday 10th November 2009 @ 7.30pm. Click here Radio Ulster . "The Silver Sounds of Murley" An Evening with Murley Silver Band 8 pm @ Strule Arts Centre, Omagh Tuesday 22nd September 2009 Tickets 12th May 2009 The Murley 'swagger'! The adjudicator of the European B-section, Garry Cutt, really enjoyed Murley's rendition of The New Colonial march. Hear his interview at 4barsrest. 5th May 2009 Brass Bands Invade Belgium The European Brass Band Championship 2009 was another fantastic weekend of brass music featuring the finest bands from across Europe and for the second year in a row, Murley was representing Northern Ireland. Left-Right: James, Lesley & Alanagh on stage at the Kursaal Theatre Led by conductor William Hill, Murley played off a number two draw in the massive auditorium of the Kursaal Theatre in Ostend. Although the band finished fourth out of six, it was a pleasing result as the standard of the top three bands was exceptional. Murley horns and trombones on stage in the Kursaal Theatre 4barsrest.com commented: "Murley returned again this year and they got off to a rousing start with the march, ‘The New Colonial’ that was taken at a fine swagger tempo, and featured some excellent playing (particularly in the obligato part) by the band’s soprano player. The set work certainly tested the band and it was an edgy performance, nervy at times and not quite on the boil. To close, a safe reading of Eric Ball’s ‘The Wayfarer’ which unfortunately suffered from a lack of clarity and detail in the faster passages and also a lack of dynamic contrast which just took the edge off a musically shaped performance. The band is certainly improving and 4th place was their reward for a second year in a row." Left-Right: Caroline and Mark enjoy the applause; Conductor William Hill After the pressures of the contest, the players and supporters were able to enjoy Ostend's beautiful beachfront promenade, fine chocolate and of course, Belgian beer! There was also time for a day trip to Ypres and a visit to the famous sites of World War I. It was with some sadness that several members and supporters were unable to travel, including the band's president David Trimble and main sponsor George White. Many thanks to all those who made the trip such a success including the conductor William Hill, band chairman Stephen Bloomfield, guest players Kieran McBride, Robin Clinton & Gareth Downey, tour manager Boris Pinto and Ciaran O' Hare (Erne Travel). Photos by Mr Ian Clowes @ GoldySolutions.co.uk 29th April 2009 Fivemiletown Express - calling at Ostend! The final preparations are well under way as Murley sets off for their second European Brass Band Championship contest in Ostend, Belgium. The band, conducted by William Hill, fly from Dublin in the early hours of Friday 1st May for the B-section contest on Saturday in the beautiful Kursaal Theatre. Hopefully, with last year's experience of Stavanger under their belts, the band can come home with a good result. 4th April 2009 Brass Band League Spring Contest The 2009 BBL Spring Contest took place for the first time outside the greater Belfast area in Strabane, County Tyrone. The event took place in the Alley Theatre and was given exceptional local coverage as part of the North West Music Festival, organised by St. Joseph's Brass Band. Murley competed in the Championship section playing Eric Ball's Sinfonietta and were disappointed with a 4th place finish. However, adjudicator Alan Fernie made fair comments on the peformance which will undoubtedly help the ongoing preparations for the European Brass Championships in Belgium in May. Congratulations to 1st Old Boys who not only won the contest but also picked up the coveted prize of Band Of The Year. The adjudicator's remarks are here The evening concert featuring the Swedish National Youth Brass Band (left) was absolutely stunning. Their programme of 'Around The World in 80 Minutes' encompassed brass playing of the highest quality with slapstick comedy (literally!), pieces featuring electric guitar and even a didgeridoo!   The peerless Steve Sykes was guest soloist and wowed the audience with his usual fantastic tuba playing and witty asides. After two standing ovations, the audience got a real treat to finish - a bit of ABBA! Congratulations to Tommy Barr and the St. Joseph's Band for a wonderful day of music. 3rd April 2009 B-section at the European Championships The line-up for the 2009 European Brass Band Championships in Ostend, Belgium have been released. The B-section is as follows: Bands - B Section Country Conductor 3BA-Brass Germany Franz Matysiak Brass Band Senjorai Lithuania Piet Visser Brass Band Wipptal Italy Martin Gruber Brass Band of the University Graz Austria Uwe Koeller Drogheda Brass Band Rep of Ireland Michael Maher Murley Silver Band N. Ireland William Hill The contest takes place on the morning of Saturday 2nd May 2009 in the Kursaal Theatre, Ostende. Murley Band Fundraising Dinner & Draw Saturday 21st March 2009 Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown Tickets: £30 For more info contact us Proceeds to support tour to Belgium to represent Northern Ireland in the European Brass Band Championship 4th March 2009 Murley Secure Arts Council Funding Murley have been successful in their application for funding for new instruments for the Concert Band. Arts Council Northern Ireland have generously provided £5000 for the purchase of new brass instruments. Treasurer Mark Bloomfield said: "We would like the thank to Arts Council for this support. This will benefit many of our younger musicians who, until now, have been using some very old instruments." 21st February 2009 Brass In Concert at the Valley Hotel The 2009 BBL Valley Entertainment Contest was once again a busy and enjoyable day for bandspeople from across the province. Organised this year by the BBL and kindly sponsored by GR White & Son, the contest has become a permanent fixture in the banding calendar. It was a day of mixed fortunes for conductor William Hill; he led Ballyduff to their second consecutive victory in the Second/Third Section (tootling on a tin whistle and bashing a Lambeg drum along the way!) but had to be content with last place in the Championship section. Despite scoring the highest points for entertainment, adjudicator Alan Morrison placed Murley behind 1st Old Boys and eventual winners, Laganvale. Dessie Neill won Best Soloist playing Quiet Time and 1st Old Boys picked up the Best March prize for The Waltonian. Murley's programme was as follows: Olympic Fanfare and Theme (J. Williams) Benedictus (Karl Jenkins) - Euphonium soloist: Boris Pinto March: New Colonial (R.B. Hall) Ellacombe (arr. W. Himes) The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Morricone) Reunion & Finale from "Gettysburg" (R. Edelman) 14th February 2009 BBL Solos & Quartets Patton Halls in Belfast was the venue for the 2009 BBL Solos & Quartets contest. This was the first year that the BBL had decided to run both senior and junior events on the same day. It was a hectic time for some people involved in both contests, but otherwise the format seemed to work well and the sheer numbers of bandspeople made for a enjoyable day for young and old alike. The presence of Alba Brass not only added a touch of class to the proceedings but delighted and inspired the many young brass players on hand. Murley had entrants in both contests and came away with several wins. The 12 and under ensemble came third and the Murley Junior Band finished in 2nd place. The 17 and under ensemble won their section while Stephen Crooks (Eb Bass) took the solo title in the same age category playing A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square. Boris Pinto (Euphonium) was delighted with 3rd place in the A-solos at his first attempt. Many thanks to Gael Haslett and Boris Pinto (who provided piano accompaniments) and to Lesley Maxwell and Robert Wilson for their hard work preparing the young Murley players.