All new members are always welcome for a blow so feel free to drop by. Rehearsal room is still behind Strabane Health Centre adjacent to the shop.

All proceeds of the quiz night went to the Haematology Unit in the Royal Hospital, Belfast. This was a charity close to everyone at the bands heart and such a large turnout was testament to the hard work the band carried out to ensure the night was so successful.

The members of St. Joseph’s Brass Band would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who turned out to support our very worthy cause, and to all the local shops and businesses for such terrific generosity. It really did make all the difference.

The video is courtesy of TheSplash55, who spent a day in Armagh recording almost all of the bands.

St. Joseph’s Brass Band, under the baton of conductor Noel Barr, certainly rose to the occasion and brought back to Strabane a collection of awards. Their splendid rendition of Kevin Norbury’s “Variations on Maccabeus” certainly left no doubts as to their musical prowess.

Not only did the band win the All Ireland Grade 2 Brass title, for the third time, but it won the overall best band award from all the bands participating in all sections of the Championship. The Bass section won the Best Bass Section award, whilst the Cornet section won the Best Cornet Section award. But, the accolades didn’t stop at that. The hard work and tenacity of the band’s conductor, Mr Noel Barr, was acknowledged when he was awarded the Best Conductor Trophy.

Band Chairperson, Mr Mark Rouse, said “this has been a wonderful day for band, for our conductor and for Strabane. Our success has been the result of many hours of dedicated practice and I would like all the members of the band to feel proud of their achievements today and congratulate them on their success. I, also,want to thank them for all their hard work. Together, we thank our conductor Noel Barr for his belief in us, for all his hard work and congratulate him on his success.”

St. Joseph’s Brass would like to thank all the people of the Strabane area for their continued support and are now preparing their Christmas programme.
The Band is hoping to start learners’ classes soon, and is always looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining the band should contact our Secretary, Paddy McGranaghan.

This will be a busy and important year for the band, as it sees the band celebrating two important milestones in its history – the 5^th anniversary of the founding of the Vintage Brass Ensemble and the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of the very busy Music for Youth project. The celebrating of these milestones will take place amidst a busy calendar of events.  Besides a busy Christmas programme, the band will play at the annual O.N.E remembrance ceremonies in Cootehill, Co. Cavan on 28^th November and the annual Marie Curie Cancer Lessons and Carols at the Alley Theatre on December 20^th.

New members to the band, Music for Youth and Learners’ classes are always welcome and, retired brass players who feel they would like to take part in a weekly music session will be most welcome at the Vintage Brass Ensemble.

Band Chairperson, Mark Rouse, said that “the band has a busy year ahead but, as usual the members are up for the challenge.  We have a number of events planned for the year and a trip abroad next year has been mooted and the Committee are looking at its feasibility.  Some of our members have just started third level education and we wish them all the best with their studies. We look forward to seeing them when they are home on holidays. Also, we are very pleased to see that some former players, now living elsewhere, are keeping up the skills they learned at St. Joseph’s, by  playing in brass bands where they now live. This is what banding is all about. If you think you would like to join the band, or one of our activities, feel free to contact me, any band member or our Secretary, Paddy McGranaghan on 07512727373.”

Source:  Strabane Chronicle

All new (and old) members are welcome to come out any night for a rehearsal with the band. Times are as follows:

Monday – 7:30pm-9:30pm

Wednesday – 7:30pm-9pm

Friday – 6:30pm-8pm

Anyone wishing to know any more information can contact any member or drop us an email here to: info@stjosephsbrassband.com

Following both of these the band will break for three weeks holidays before getting back for the long haul!

After that initial meeting with Noel Barr Paddy found himself to be keen to progress in the band as a player, but with his infectious nature to get knee deep in everything, Paddy soon became a fixture of the band when he accepted the position of Secretary at an A.G.M. back in 2000.

Some ten years later and Paddy has documented the bands 60 year history in a book he wrote, entitled “The Band’s Out” and has been all around Ireland as an avid fan as well as member. It is owed by the band to make such a public acknowledgement of thanks and support to Paddy as he moves on from his post to take a backseat role as the band engage in a period of change from the roots up.

From all at St. Joe’s, we thank you infinitely and wish you all the best for the future.

The piece is relatively new, having been commissioned for the Gwent Youth Brass Band, but found itself being the chosen piece for the Nationals this year so St. Joseph’s, and their conductor Noel barr thought they would rise to the challenge and go for it.

 They did not disappoint and although narrowly missing out to Downshire by 1 point they feel they have done themselves and their town proud once more. The adjudicators remarks left them feeling a great sense of pride as he outlined how well the band played the piece and how good their interpretation was.

All that remains now is for the band to think about returning to the N.I.B.A. competition on October 24th!!