Third Carrickfergus Silver Band
Encyclopedia
Third Carrickfergus Silver Band commonly shortened to Third Carrick Band are a second grade silver band
from Carrickfergus
in Northern Ireland
.
The band reformed in April 1973 as the "3rd Carrickfergus BB and Old Boys' Band", again under the direction of D J McCartney. After only a year however Dr R W Hylands became the new conductor of the band. Under Hylands' direction the band were promoted from Junior Section to Championship Section.
In 1976, the band won the title "Band of the Year" - being the first junior band to do so - shared with Agnes Street Silver Band, which was a senior band. This qualified the Band to compete in the "Pontin's Holiday Camp Band Contest" in Southport, one of the biggest British fixtures. The Band won this competition and went on to gain second place at the National Finals in Wales.
Alan Murdock became musical director of the band from 1982 until 1985 when Mr Desmond Graham took over. Des had played with the band since its formation and often helped during rehearsals.
Under Des's direction the band won the NIBA championships in 1993 and came second in 1995.
In 2005 the band competed in the European Championships in Groningen, Holland.
Principal Cornet - Ruth Dodridge
Flugel Horn - Ruth Binding
Tenor Horn - Amber MacLennan
Solo Euphonium - Peter Graham
Solo Trombone - William Johnston
Eb Bass - Allan Davison
Bb Bass - Roy Bennett
Percussion - Colin Watson
on the commission by the band for their 50th anniversary celebrations in Autumn 2008. This is the bands first CD and is initially available at the cost of £10.
Brass band (British style)
A British-style brass band is a musical ensemble comprising a standardised range of brass and percussion instruments. The modern form of the brass band in the United Kingdom dates back to the 19th century, with a vibrant tradition of competition based around local industry and communities...
from Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
History
The band was formed in 1958, under the direction of Mr D J McCartney, as the "3rd Carrickfergus Boys' Brigade Band". The band grew and was soon competing in local competitions and major contests throughout Northern Ireland. However in 1968 the Band disbanded as the boys got older and left the BB.The band reformed in April 1973 as the "3rd Carrickfergus BB and Old Boys' Band", again under the direction of D J McCartney. After only a year however Dr R W Hylands became the new conductor of the band. Under Hylands' direction the band were promoted from Junior Section to Championship Section.
In 1976, the band won the title "Band of the Year" - being the first junior band to do so - shared with Agnes Street Silver Band, which was a senior band. This qualified the Band to compete in the "Pontin's Holiday Camp Band Contest" in Southport, one of the biggest British fixtures. The Band won this competition and went on to gain second place at the National Finals in Wales.
Alan Murdock became musical director of the band from 1982 until 1985 when Mr Desmond Graham took over. Des had played with the band since its formation and often helped during rehearsals.
Under Des's direction the band won the NIBA championships in 1993 and came second in 1995.
In 2005 the band competed in the European Championships in Groningen, Holland.
Musical Conductors
- DJ McCartney: 1958-1968, 1973–1974
- Windsor Hylands: 1974-1974
- Alan Murdock : 1982-1985
- Desmond Graham: 1986–present
Current Principal Players
Soprano Cornet - Peter ArthursPrincipal Cornet - Ruth Dodridge
Flugel Horn - Ruth Binding
Tenor Horn - Amber MacLennan
Solo Euphonium - Peter Graham
Solo Trombone - William Johnston
Eb Bass - Allan Davison
Bb Bass - Roy Bennett
Percussion - Colin Watson
Recordings
In June 2009 the band recorded a CD named "On the Castle Green". The CD was released on Monday 9 November 2009 featuring 18 tracks of various genres including jazz and blues, religious, swing and classical. The CD also features the first recording of the march composed by Paul Lovatt-CooperPaul Lovatt-Cooper
Paul Lovatt-Cooper is "Composer in Association" of the Black Dyke Band of which he was also formerly a percussionist.Coming from a Salvation Army family, he studied music at the University of Salford...
on the commission by the band for their 50th anniversary celebrations in Autumn 2008. This is the bands first CD and is initially available at the cost of £10.
Junior Band
In the late 90's the 'new' junior band was formed to train musicians for the senior band. This has proved successful with nine members of Third Carrickfergus Silver Band having been promoted from the Junior Band. The junior band is split into three smaller bands in consideration of individual's ability: the "Beginner Band", the "Training Band" and the "Junior Band"; from complete beginners to more accomplished players respectively. These bands are taken by members of the senior band. The bands compete in the BBL competition, Mossgrove and Carrickfergus festivals and for the first time in 2009 the NIBA Championships in the 5th Grade/Unaffiliated Class.Audio Clips
- Swingtime by Barrie Gott
- Let Me Try Again by Nicholas BrodzskyNicholas BrodzskyNicholas Brodszky, was a composer of popular songs. He was born in Odessa , and died in Hollywood, California....
arr. Goff RichardsGoff RichardsGoff Richards , sometimes credited as Godfrey Richards, was a prominent English brass band arranger and composer. He was born in Cornwall, studying at the Royal College of Music and Reading University. Between 1976 and 1989, he lectured in arranging and at Salford College of Technology. He was the...