The band is conducted by Darren Canmore. Both groups are based in Portadown, County Armagh . They are the senior groups of the S.E.L.B.’s Music Service and draw their membership from its most advanced pupils.
The present orchestra has 90 members and the band has 70. In summer 2003, 73 orchestra and 56 band members will be travelling to Georgia with 13 adults, a grand total of 143! Players range in age from 14 to 21 years. They meet every Saturday morning for rehearsals and members travel to rehearsals from throughout the S.E.L.B. area, a radius of 50 miles. These weekly rehearsals centre on the twin goals of achieving challenging musical standards while providing an opportunity for young people to enjoy playing a wide repertoire of music. There is also some time for them to meet new people and make new friends; this is particularly true when they go on tour together.
Touring has always been an important part of the musical experience provided by the S.E.L.B. Previous destinations for concert tours undertaken by the orchestra and band include The Lake District, Vienna , Scotland , Switzerland , Belgium , Holland , Paris and Georgia .
The South Ulster Youth Orchestra and Band are noted for their wide musical repertoire, encompassing everything from classical pieces to film themes, pop hits, show songs and Irish Jigs! It’s a proven formula that captures the enthusiasm of players and audience alike and ensures that tickets for their annual programme of concerts are in big demand.
In 1999, thanks to the support of the Sister City International Committee and Father Leo Herbert, the band made its way to LaGrange and Newnan where the warmth and hospitality of our hosts ensured that a lifelong friendship was forged. The memories of that trip will enrich all our lives forever. Four years later only a handful of the original band members and staff will be returning. Inspired by past band members who visited LaGrange and Newnan, all have worked tirelessly and with terrific enthusiasm to ensure that all the necessary funds are in place for this return trip. Over the last 2 years, members have been busking, performing at functions, organising quizzes, running marathons and bag-packing as well as selling advertising and seeking sponsorship. They certainly have been busy! Meanwhile a special programme of music representing both sides of the Atlantic has been put together for the occasion.
Earlier this year in Craigavon, some of our members were lucky enough to attend a fabulous concert given by staff and students from LaGrange College . This wonderful evening was an inspiration to us all and has encouraged everyone to work extra hard to aspire to the standard of excellence reached on that memorable occasion.
The Youth Band are particularly honoured to be invited to play at the softball tournament, which will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of a fantastic trip and the Youth Orchestra are equally excited about their concerts in Alpharetta and Woodstock. The concert tour to Georgia presents exciting challenge to members, staff and parents. It will be a wonderful opportunity for us to extend our horizons and to experience new culture and activities. We have had an exciting time preparing for the tour and we are looking forward to playing our hearts out for you all and developing the warm association that has grown steadily since 1999.
South Ulster Sinfonia
Background
The South Ulster Sinfonia operates under the auspices of the Southern Education and Library Board's Music Service as a community orchestra for adults keen to maintain - or revive - their instrumental skills through exploring the orchestral repertoire.
One of its stated objectives is “to promote and extend the appreciation and understanding of music among players and members of the public.” It does this by providing opportunities for players of differing standards to read through, and also to rehearse and perform, a wide repertoire of satisfying music: classical and modern, light and serious, easy and challenging. A variety of concerts is given each season, including formal and informal events and performances given in conjunction with other groups.
Origin
The orchestra began in 2004 with a ‘Come-and-play' afternoon , advertised for adults who played - or used to play - a stringed instrument. It attracted over thirty, as well as some older SUYO members whose support helped to ensure the afternoon's success. ‘Former' players found they weren't as rusty as they feared, and all enjoyed the occasion so much that further rehearsals were arranged. The Sinfonia was formally constituted in January, 2005, initially as a string orchestra, though wind players are invited occasionally to extend the repertoire. Expansion into a full symphony orchestra is a likely option for the future.
Membership
The Sinfonia is open to any adult who plays an appropriate instrument to a sufficient minimum standard (currently around grade IV/V.) At present, there are two dozen or so members, who come from a fairly wide geographical area; they vary in age, and include some current and former string teachers, ex-SUYO members, players who learned through one of the other NI Music Services, and some from different backgrounds or further afield.
Like the youth orchestras, the Sinfonia is helping players to maintain friendships and to build new ones. It provides one of the very few local opportunities for those who learned to play a stringed instrument at school to continue to play and explore orchestral repertoire in adult life.
Repertoire
The wide range of music available means that everyone finds plenty to enjoy. For the most part we play ‘popular classics' and ‘classic pops'. This year, for example the programme includes Holst's St Paul's Suite, shorter items like movements from Bach's 2 nd and 3 rd Suites, some Johann Strauss and music from films such as The Deerhunter, Shakespeare in Love and Schindler's List.
Concerts in previous years included major standard pieces such as Britten's Simple Symphony, Corelli's Christmas Concerto (with two recorders), Elgar's Serenade for Strings, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Warlock's Capriol Suite; and widely known pieces like The arrival of the Queen of Sheba, arrangements of songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Abba, and Scott Joplin rags.
The conductors are currently Roger Jarvis and Jim Whatsize, both former Music Service staff.
Concerts
Each season brings two or three concerts, often in support of a charity. Most are given within the SELB area but occasionally we travel further afield. The varied repertoire allows us to provide material to suit most occasions and venues, and we often perform in conjunction with other groups - Lurgan Musical Society, Portdown Ladies' Choir and the SUCB in recent years, for example.
Join us!
The Sinfonia is reasonably balanced, but keen to recruit further members (particularly lower strings, of course…) If you are over 18 you will be made very welcome, even if you are still playing in a youth orchestra. The present members come from a fairly wide area, so some transport can often be arranged. The orchestra meets fortnightly on Saturday afternoons (1:30-4:00) between September and June in the Portadown Music Centre. New players, rusty or brilliant, may join at any time: there is no formal audition - just sit in and give it a try. Even players who no longer have their own instrument may not be stuck. Contact a committee member, or just turn up at a rehearsal.
Contacts
For further information contact Roger Jarvis, Hon President (3834 1952), Renate Hughes, Chair (3752 3856) or Christine Faulkner, Secretary (3882 0403).
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