About us
The original Comber band started as a flute band in 1902 before converting to brass in 1949.
Each week the members come together to practice for concerts, contests, church services and numerous other engagements. The band aim to give back to the community in the area and are involved annually in Christmas celebrations and Remembrance day services. Many of the engagements are in support of local charities for example the RNLI.
The members take competition seriously too, annually entering Autumn, Spring and entertainment contests. organised by the Brass Band League (NI) and the North of Ireland Bands Association.
Resident Conductor and Musical Director
Wesley Thompson BA MBA
Associate Conductors
Michael Alcorn PhD
Jack Burch FLCM, LLCM, LLCM (TD), ALCM
Comber Silver Band Officers
Ken Browne - band manager
Jayne Smyth - secretary
Granville Lavin - treasurer
James McClure - contest secretary
Lucy Adams/Davy McCracken - librarians
Adam/Nikki Porteous - uniform officers
Maurice Baalham - instrument officer
Laura Salt/Karen Gardner - Lauraldale Brass Ensemble reps
Lawrence Baalham - child protection officer
Laura Salt - assistant child protection officer
Ken Browne/James McClure - NIBA/BBL reps
Stuart Adair - webmaster
Sam Burgess - Band President
Sam Burgess first joined the Comber band in 1940 when it was still a flute band. Sam successfully made the transition from flute to brass when the band changed in the late 1940s, firstly as a cornet player and later on the tenor horn.
Over the years Sam has played a major part in Comber Silver Band as a player and in other roles within the band organisation. It has only been in the last few years that Sam had to retire as an active band member; however, his interest in the band remains undiminshed, to quote Sam himself "Wednesday night is band night".
Members of the current band, former members and their families gathered in McBrides restaurant in Comber Square on Saturday 21st February 2015 to honour Sam's contribution to Comber Silver Band with a presentation of an inscribed crystal bowl and to offically announce that Sam has accepted the post of Band President.
Former band members present were Alan Curry, Beverley Heaney, 'Hammy' Mills, Harry Rainey, Ian Roberts, James Cook, John Boyce, Robert Frost, Ronnie O'Prey and Tom Heaney.
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