Happy Birthday Concert.
The 1st Old boys Silver Band one of the provinces premier brass bands celebrated over 60 years of music making by giving a terrific gala concert along with Lisnagarvey Operatic Society in the marvellous acoustic of The Elmwood Hall, home of the Ulster Orchestra, last Saturday night.
The 1st Old Boys are subscription brass band drawing it’s members from all areas of the community, working together to make music at the very highest standard. They were created from amongst the former members of the 1st Old Boys Brigade Company in 1946 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Donegal Pass, Belfast. A few founder members of the band were present in the audience.
The current Irish Champions were on top form under the direction of Stephen Cairns. They played classics like ‘The Overture to the Barber of Seville’ by Rossini to Tchaikovsky’s ‘Little Russian’. There were also plenty of solo features on show including The Kenny Baker showcase ‘Satchmo’ played by the solo cornet of Mark Bingham, The Streisland hit ‘The Way We Were’ played by the velvety tones of solo horn, Brian Connelly. Then John Cooke took centre stage gave a sublime account of the Irish traditional tune ‘Magh Seola’.
Lisnagarvey Operatic were in fine voice bringing songs from the shows, classical items and novelty numbers. They then teamed up with the band to sing ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ and ‘Joyful, Joyful’
The lighter music played during the evening included film themes like ‘The Mask of Zorro’ and ‘Hymn to the Fallen’ from Saving Private Ryan, Music from West Side Story and The American screamer march ‘Midwest’.
The band also launched their new CD ‘Celebration Brass’ especially created to mark 60 Years of music making.
All in all, a very enjoyable evening with a great reception from a very appreciative audience.