Fermanagh Concert Band is proud and honoured that two of today’s most distinguished professional musicians are its patrons.
They are Sir James Galway, ‘the man with the golden flute’ and Stephen Irvine the tuba soloist and orchestral musician.
Their support for the band’s activities and ambitions is a tremendously important encouragement to its music-making.
James Galway really needs no introducing, especially in Northern Ireland! In Belfast as a child he played the penny whistle before switching to the flute.
Principal’s positions with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra preceded his career as a soloist, during which he has played at the White House, at Buckingham Palace, at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and has endeared himself to millions worldwide.
His recordings have won many awards and he was knighted in 2001 for services to music.
Here’s what he had to say when he became a patron of Fermanagh Concert Band:
“As a young lad growing up in Belfast I played in several bands and I cannot tell you how much fun this was not only for the players but also for the public who enjoyed our performances. In a similar way, Fermanagh Concert Band are sounding a community chord through their music making. Whether you join them or listen to them, you’ll find they play your tune, and I am very pleased to support their activities by being their patron.”
Fermanagh Concert Band is delighted to welcome Stephen Irvine as our new Patron.
Stephen joins Sir James Galway as Patron of our Band. We are honoured to have the support of two internationally respected musicians with strong local connections.
Born in Enniskillen, Stephen has been Principal Tuba of the Ulster Orchestra since 2006.
Following his studies at the Royal College of Music, Stephen was appointed Principal Tuba of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife in 2002.
Stephen has performed widely as a soloist and orchestral musician, appearing with ensembles including the Royal Opera
House, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He has also broadcast extensively with the BBC and the RTE, and recorded commercially for Naxos and Hyperion.
He is currently a performance tutor at Queen’s University Belfast and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
As a native of Enniskillen, we are particularly pleased to welcome Stephen into this role and look forward to working with him as the Band continues preparing for the Sounds of the West concert at the Ardhowen Theatre this August.
