THE world-famous Black Dyke Band – the only brass band to be both Grammy and Oscar-nominated – is coming to Fermanagh to perform a unique concert at Castle Irvine Estate, Necarne.

Hosted by Tempo-based electrical contracting company GR White & Son Ltd, which is 50 years in business this year, the special ‘World Class Brass’ concert will take place on Saturday, May 14 at 8pm at the Irvinestown estate.

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GR White & Son Ltd was founded by George White in 1972, and his son, Rodney, is currently Operations Director for the company.

Rodney has had a close affiliation with the brass band scene both locally and further afield for many years, and has played within the percussion section of some of the very best brass bands in Northern Ireland.

To commence their 50th year in business celebrations, GR White & Son Ltd are hosting the concert in the arena of Castle Irvine Estate. On the night, the Black Dyke Band will be conducted by musical director, Professor Nicholas Childs.

“This will be a unique opportunity for people to come along and listen to the best in the world,” Rodney told The Impartial Reporter, adding: “The band has promised to deliver a very entertaining and enjoyable selection of music, including traditional marches, hymn tunes and many other well-known pieces.”

Birthplace

The Yorkshire village of Queenshead – later to become Queensberry – was the birthplace of a musical tradition that would eventually lead to the foundation of the acclaimed Black Dyke Band as it is still known today.

It was there in 1816, in the heart of ‘mill country’, that Peter Wharton founded a brass and reed band. Playing French Horn in this band was John Foster, the founder of Black Dyke Mills.

Peter’s original band went out of existence due to a lack of members, but some 17 years later, in 1833, a new band was formed – the ‘Queenshead Band’, and this grouping very likely included musicians from the former band.

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This ensemble reached its zenith from 1838 to 1843, at which time it consisted of 18 musicians. In 1855, it was reported in the Halifax Courier that a new set of instruments had been purchased from Joseph Higham and a new leader, as well as several performers had been added to the band, bringing the band’s musicians to 18 – the formation of the Black Dyke Band.

On September 15, 2005, the Black Dyke Band celebrated its 150th anniversary, and since that anniversary event, the band has continued to add to its exceptional list of artistic and competitive achievements – culminating in the successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure financial support for its ground-breaking Black Dyke Heritage Project.

Tradition

Despite the pandemic, the band continues its work to promote the great musical tradition of brass band music, under the leadership of Professor Nicholas J. Childs – one of the leading figures in the worldwide brass community.

Black Dyke Band has achieved an unparalleled record of competition success since its formation, having won the World Championship in 1970, the National Championships of Great Britain 23 times, the British Open Championships 30 times, European Championships 13 times, English Nationals four times, and having been crowned Yorkshire Champions 24 times, currently holding the title, having won it again in March.

Performances

As previously noted, The Black Dyke Band is the only band to be Grammy- and Oscar-nominated, and has had a diverse range of performances, ranging from the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

Fermanagh audiences are sure to be in for a treat from the band’s sublime sounds, presented in the unique setting of the arena at Castle Irvine Estate, Necarne.

Tickets for the event can be purchased via grwhiteelectrical.co.uk. Entertainment will begin on the evening of the event at 6pm. A full range of bar and food services for anyone wishing to arrive a little earlier will also be available.