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Some of our recent events
Portadown Town Hall 8th Feb 2008
Our annual concert in Portadown Hall in 2008 was once again sold out. It was themed 'music from the stage
and screen' and featured big screen hits such as Pirates of the Carribbean, Fiddler on the Roof, Schindler's
List, Great Escape, Batman and Danse Baachanale in addition to music from Benny Goodman, Mozart's Clarinet
Concerto and Ravel's Bolero.
The South Ulster Saxophone Ensemble
The SUCB opened the SELB's musical showcase in the prestigious Ulster Hall by playing Liberty
Bell, selections from the broadway hit "Cats", Mary Poppins and Londonderry Air. The band fininshed the first set with
John Williams' epic "Star Wars Saga" - a challenging but hugely rewarding arrangement.
The band was followed by the South Ulster Intermediate String Orchestra, South Ulster Youth
Band, South Ulster Youth Orchestra and Choir of the Royal School Dungannon.
The grand finale for the eviening was a mass performance of "Lord of the Dance"
with over 200 musicians from all groups taking part.
The 2007 Annual concert in Portadown Town Hall was once again successful. Our musical
programme was varied including music from Ray Charles, "Sir Duke" from Stevie Wonder, selections from the musicals
Cats and Mary Poppins, Elgar's "Nimrod" from Enigma Variations and an Irish Tune from County Derry. One of the highlights
of the programme was the touching version of "You Raise Me Up" by the fantastic voice of soloist Louise Teirnan
(usual instrument: oboe). The band finished with the celtic rythms of "Gaelforce".
Guest artists were former Northern Ireland Young Musician of the year, Darren Scroggie who
played his unique mix of celtic fusion classical guitar and the SELB percussion ensemble who amazed the audience with their
display of percussion genius.
| John Mitchell & Patricia McSherry with Bones Apart |
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Last season’s annual concert was a tremendous success with a varied
program including James Bond 007, Overture to Poet and Peasant, Mozart’s Queen of the Night’s Aria from “The
Magic Flute” (flute solo by Danielle Rogan), Sabre Dance, Medley from Miss Saigon, Czardas (xylophone solo by Peter
Harris), Brazil, Bach’s Tocatta in D Minor and Sousa’s Stars & Stripes Forever.
The compere for the evening’s programme was radio and TV journalist,
producer and former presenter Bob Crookes who kept us entertained and informed with “behind the scenes” stories
about the history of our musical pieces and their composers, and about the band/band members.
Our guest performers were “Bones Apart”, an all-female trombone
quartet which has established itself as one of the world’s leading young chamber ensembles. The girls were pleased to include a performance with the South Ulster Concert Band at the start of their
international 2006 tour, and delighted a capacity audience, not only with their musical ability, but also with their choreographed
act complete with costumes.
The evening was sponsored by the National Lottery “Awards for All”
programme and by a number of local businesses, to whom we are extremely grateful.
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| Ken Ramsey swaps his clarinet for the Bodhran drum |
The annual trip away proved to be a most enjoyable
weekend in Letterkenny. Our concert was in aid of a Letterkenny based children's charity and our guest performers Strabane
Brass Band put on a fabulous programme for the second half of the concert.
As usual, the music didn't stop with the end of the
concert as band members swapped their usual instruments for the more traditional kind.
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