Co Down
Earliest recorded date: 26th November 1858
Latest recorded date:
Moira Brass Band started life at a rather grand event on 26th November 1858 attended by the 'principal gentry of the neighbourhood'. The event was supposed to happen in the Market House in Moira but was moved at short notice to Moira Schoolhouse because of health and safety concerns (yes, even in those days).
Their inaugural concert took place just 3 months after they received their instruments. None of the musicians had any prior training but we must assume they made excellent progress under the watchful eye of Mr Harper, a local choirmaster and conductor.
Mr Harper's wife seems to have been a well-known classical singer so it was a big deal that she appeared in Moira that night at the concert.
The programme included a horn solo played 'with a soft and delicate tone' by Mr Harper and a 'cornet-a-piston' duet played by Mr Harper and Mr Jameson. That was followed by a cornet trio "Lift thine Eyes" from Elijah which was reported as being 'highly effective' (love these descriptions).
Their first concert was a huge success and the local hotel owner Mr Murphy flung open the doors of two rooms in the hotel for dancing and that finished at around 3am the following morning!
Several weeks later, Mr Harper brought the band to Hillsborough to the Corporation Arms as part of mixed programme for choir, solo singers, violin solos and band. Again, Mrs Harper took part as did a certain Mr Charles Wood, a little-known figure at the time...
Latest recorded date:
Moira Brass Band started life at a rather grand event on 26th November 1858 attended by the 'principal gentry of the neighbourhood'. The event was supposed to happen in the Market House in Moira but was moved at short notice to Moira Schoolhouse because of health and safety concerns (yes, even in those days).
Their inaugural concert took place just 3 months after they received their instruments. None of the musicians had any prior training but we must assume they made excellent progress under the watchful eye of Mr Harper, a local choirmaster and conductor.
Mr Harper's wife seems to have been a well-known classical singer so it was a big deal that she appeared in Moira that night at the concert.
The programme included a horn solo played 'with a soft and delicate tone' by Mr Harper and a 'cornet-a-piston' duet played by Mr Harper and Mr Jameson. That was followed by a cornet trio "Lift thine Eyes" from Elijah which was reported as being 'highly effective' (love these descriptions).
Their first concert was a huge success and the local hotel owner Mr Murphy flung open the doors of two rooms in the hotel for dancing and that finished at around 3am the following morning!
Several weeks later, Mr Harper brought the band to Hillsborough to the Corporation Arms as part of mixed programme for choir, solo singers, violin solos and band. Again, Mrs Harper took part as did a certain Mr Charles Wood, a little-known figure at the time...