*
banner

Cutt's Irish cream lapped up in Enniskillen

Prof Garry Cutt and his team of tutors inspired the music making on the recent Fermanagh/Tyrone Brass Band Summer School.

Fermanagh
  The outside concert brought a great response from the local audience.

Over 70 performers of different ages and abilities certainly enjoyed their musical experiences on the recent Fermanagh/Tyrone Brass Band Summer School.

They came together for annual course under the baton of Prof Garry Cutt and his team of outstanding tutors. The participants were from all parts of the island of Ireland — Cork, Limerick and Wexford to Belfast and Carrickfergus and all points in-between.

Playing and fun

Delegates enjoyed days packed with individual, sectional, full band tuition and rehearsals, as well as workshops and performance opportunities. As always there was also plenty of time to relax and have fun — from quizzes to a Whit Friday contest and the traditional treat of the Tutor Soloist Showcase.

The repertoire covered a wide variety of genres and styles with the players also getting the chance to work with Ronan McKee on African drumming.

In addition, time was spent with the likes of tutors Dewi Griffiths, Tom Smith, Owen Farr, Amy Ewen, Mick Marshall and Les Neish and Ronan McKee, with the event rounded off with a wonderful concert appearance to a packed audience at St Macartin's Cathedral Hall in Enniskillen.

Great success

Speaking to 4BR, Course Director Stephen Crooks said: "This year's course was a great success. To see delegates from all corners of Ireland represented and with a wide participant age range of 7 to 83 was especially heartening.

Garry Cutt was a quite fantastic lead as Course Musical Director and his team of tutors were superb. Everyone came together to make music in a relaxed environment, making new friendships along the way.

A highlight though was bringing everyone to the middle of the town in Enniskillen and performing for the public on Saturday afternoon with the sounds of the brass ringing through the town. The response we had was amazing."

A highlight though was bringing everyone to the middle of the town in Enniskillen and performing for the public on Saturday afternoon with the sounds of the brass ringing through the town. The response we had was amazingStephen Crooks

Thanks

He added: "We would also like to publicly thank the event sponsors and business who donated to us.

Without the likes of Besson Musical Instruments, Fermanagh and Omagh District Councils, Arts Council of the Northern Ireland, Konig and Meyers Music Stands, Mercer & Barker and Pennie Music this course would not be possible."

4BR was informed that plans are now underway for the 2025 course and other events throughout the year.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Alan Duguid

BA (Hons), PGDipMus, PGCE
Conductor, Composer, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd