CONTEST RESULT
Date: Saturday 2ndApril 2011
Venue:Strabane
Adjudicator: Mr Colin Hardy
CSB take first prize at Brass Band League Spring Contest
Comber won the third section of the contest with 184 points beating Wellington silver into second place with 182.
After our success at the October Contest in Armagh we are delighted to say that success continued in the BBL Spring contest in Strabane last Saturday.
Comber were placed first in the third section 2 clear points ahead of the other five bands in that section.
Playing Prelude, Song and Dance by John Golland the band, under the capable hands of it's conductor Wesley Thompson, secured the trophy.
This is a fantastic achievement for the band and testament to the hard work and dedication of it's players and conductor.
After weeks of rehearsal to prepare for the Contest you might think that the members can relax a little but practice resumed the Wednesday after to prepare for the numerous upcoming engagements planned for the summer season.
C.J.Smyth
Brass Band League Spring Contest Strabane
Music Adjudicator Mr Colin Hardy
Comber band 184 marks
Prelude Song and Dance
Prelude
Good start in right style but take care not to rush the end of bars but balance good and
also dynamic contrasts, lots of detail noted and so well balanced flows to a close -
percussion very effective.
Song
Effective start with nice cornet solo but keep it up (mp). G this is so well balanced in
all parts link and flows beautifully all ways to close (end untidy not all off together)
Dance
Super style (I feel like dancing) (but to busy) only odd blip which I forgave You make
full use of dynamics, percussion blend in so well just a touch untidy into Q but picks up.
flows well to the end
(last note untidy not fully together)
Super performance the odd blips but lots of style and music evident
Thank you.
Colin Hardy
The Return Of Da Clegg
Festival brass visited Spain recently and would you believe it turned into a Comber Brass reunion. because the infamous Da Clegg and his good lady wife came to support their Ulster entertainers!
Pictured below are ex - CSB members Laura Farling, Alan Currie and the most Infamous of all Da Clegg!
Oh to play to an audience such as this?
Featured Player
Ken Browne
Ken's first introduction to Brass Banding was in the late 1950's when as a young learner he went to Ballyholme Brass Band in Bangor. Although his family had no association with Brass Bands, both his parents were musically inclined and held Fellowships from Trinity College London. Ken goes on to explained. My mother was an accomplished violinist with Orchestral experience and my father held his qualification in choral conducting, also playing organ piano and flute . He was then a former President of the Ulster Society of organists and choirmasters and conducted various choirs and orchestral group in the Belfast area. He was also a member of the Bangor Music Festival Committee He obtained a degree in music at QUB, after retiring from a career in mathematics teaching. After learning on Baritone, I eventually played cornet in the Ballyholme Band and moved to Newtownards S B in the mid 60's. As well as the Cornet I taught myself to play both Bb Tenor Trombone and the old Bass Trombone in G. I can remember once playing a tenor trombone solo (The Gliding Slide) in public with NSB. When my teaching career took me to Ballymena in the early 70's I played both cornet and horn in Ballymena S B when they made a return to the contest scene I became quite attached to the horn and had success in the Brass Solo section of music festivals in both Ballymena and Coleraine. I was also a member of a brass quartet with other members of Ballymena S B. We were very successful at local music festivals. I eventually returned to the Ards area and rejoined NSB in the late 70's. I played Sop with Comber for a Contest at the invitation of the then conductor Norman Mc Donald I eventually Joined Comber Silver Band in 1990.
I always felt at home amongst these friendly players and I knew by this time the Tenor horn was my instrument . Inspired by the conducting at this time by (Alfie Burch), I adopted a regular practice schedule and entered the BBL solo contest ( B Section ) for four consecutive years 1991-1994 Gaining two third prises and winning the cup in 1993.
In recent years I have brought my Tenor horn to England each summer when I go to visit some of my grandchildren and I usually manage to attend rehearsals of several bands in both Yorkshire and Tyneside. Occasionally I am invited to play at a concert with one of these bands.
In the last few years I have also been playing with Templemore Band where i benefit greatly from the advice and tuition given by their MD Jack Burch. This renewed interest has encouraged me at attempt to make a come back in the BBL Solo Competition ( B Section ) however the best I could manage in the current competitive scene where there are so many talented young players was a 4th position in 2010 and a 5th in 2011. Playing does not get easier as the years roll by.
(Webmaster)
23rd April 2011
