The Duff do it again: In style!!

After their success at last year’s Brass in Concert, held in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, the band carried on in a similar manner this year.

The programme chosen by the band’s conductor, resplendent in tartan bow tie and matching cummerbund, had an Ulster Scots theme. Starting with what musical adjudicator Alan Morrison, conductor of the Brighouse and Rastrick band, described as “An usual but very effective opening”.

Instead of the normal march or fanfare style opening, the band kicked off in almost total darkness with the haunting “Suil A Ruin”. This love song from the Williamite war of 1688/90 was sung by Jenny Hill and set the scene for the rest of the programme. Entertainment adjudicator Beverly Weir said it was “A great opener, atmospheric, dramatic and haunting”

Next the band returned to their roots as a flute band. Galanthia was originally a flute/fife and drum band march, which is the most recognisable Ulster Scots ensemble and was arranged by the band’s conductor for the contest. It proved to be a real foot tapper. Alan Morrison described it as “a terrific march” played at a “super tempo”.

Our soloist was Ian McClinton who showed again why he is one of the top flugel horn players with “A smooth solo line” in his performance of “I’ll take you home again Kathleen”. It is debated who Kathleen was, some seem to think she was from Co Antrim, the heartland of Ulster Scots culture.

“Phil the Fluter’s Ball” was a real winner. Written by Percy French, who, although  born in Co Roscommon spent most of his formative educational years in the North West of the Province.

This arrangement by Derek Broadbent incorporated many different styles from the original jig, through a jazz cornet trio, a waltz and ending with a “twist” style from the 1960’s. 

Ronnie Hill started things off on soprano with the band’s conductor playing a tin whistle at one stage much to the delight of the crowd! Mark McKnight, Jenny Hill and Mark (Sparky) Smith were the three brave cornet players who stood without music for the cornet trio!

A complete contrast followed with a beautiful arrangement of Stracathro, A Scottish Hymn. The band’s warm sound was much in evidence in this piece which Beverley Weir described as “uplifting”.

The band’s finale called on all aspects of the Ulster Scots culture. Starting off with Matthew Weir on snare drum in Highland regalia, the conductor had skilfully arranged a smooth transition from “Random Star” to “With a Hundred Pipers”.

Jenny Hill displayed another of her many talents as a dancer, again suitably clothed in (a fairly short!) kilt, as Alan Morrison said in his remarks adding “a little glamour”. With a seamless change to reel time the icing on the cake was the appearance of the Lambeg drum played by the band’s conductor William Hill.

This brought the house down and Beverley Weir said this was “Pure entertainment”. Alan Morrison was equally complimentary in his remarks saying he was “glad they didn’t put me in a box”, as is the norm in some band contests.

The band were naturally on a high after the results were given out. They were a full three points ahead of the Roughan band from Ballygawley, who were second, with the 3rd Carrickfergus band in third place.

Alan Morrison summed up the band’s performance saying it was “A really well thought out and original programme that utilised the assets of the band” with Beverley Weir adding it was “varied, versatile and imaginative”. They proved again that when it comes to this type of contest, they really are the band to beat!!

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