Third Carrickfergus Silver Band

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. Graham had played with the band since its formation and often helped during rehearsals.

Under Graham'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.

In 2014 the band were crowned Band of the Year and they retained the title in 2015. This followed a period of great success in the second section, lasting several years. The band decided to return to the Championship Section once more at the NIBA contest in Armagh, in October 2015.

Musical Conductors

Current Principal Players

Soprano Cornet - Peter Arthurs
Principal Cornet - Claire Hueston
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 - Matthew Brown

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-Cooper on the commission by the band for their 50th anniversary celebrations in Autumn 2008. This is the band's 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.