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Years 1998 - 2004
Mazamet, France 8 – 11 July 2004
The band travelled to France in July to take part in the ‘Fanfares sans Frontieres’ Festival in the town of Mazamet. The band had a very successful trip and were warmly welcomed by residents and visitors of Mazamet when we performed at the various organised events.
As well as performing on our own in the town centre we took part in two parades round the town involving all the participating bands. The second parade ended in the local football stadium where each band gave a short concert on stage. This was followed by a massed band performance of a number entitled “Armstrong”, conducted by the musical director of the band of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, one of the main attractions at the Festival.
Everyone had a great time at the festival and all remarked on how well we were treated by the organisers as regards accommodation and meals. We were all especially grateful for the “picnic” provided on our return coach journey to the airport, by Jean Pierre our guide and interpreter during the festival. We are all agreed that a return trip to Mazamet in the not too distant future would be very welcome.
See more photographs of the Mazamet trip in the Photo Gallery
2003
During the summer of 2003, the Friendship Band was very pleased to welcome back as a guest player, Edward Kennedy, a former member of the Friendship Band.
Edward, also a former member of the 1st Old Boys Band, emigrated to Australia in the early 1990's, he returned home with his wife and children to visit family and friends over the summer.
Edward's father Ronnie was one the founding members of the Friendship Band and is still an active member today, turning out for every engagement. Despite repeated attempts to retire we have so far managed to persuade him otherwise!
Year 2002
Bournemouth Music Makers Festival
The band had a very successful trip to Bournemouth, England at the end of June to take part in the Music Makers Festival.
On Thursday evening the band participated with eight other bands in a ‘marching bands’ event held at Kings Park Athletic Centre.
On Friday morning we played at Pier Approach and later in the town gardens where we were enthusiastically received.
For Friday evening's booking we travelled out to the Littledown Park & Sports Centre. The band gave a concert on the open terrace, with a break for drinks in the bar, where we were able to chat with locals who had come along to listen to the musical entertainment.
Saturday night saw us teaming up with the local band ‘Gugge 2000’, to play alternate spots in the garden’s bandstand. Both bands received a warm reception from the large crowd gathered in the gardens. Afterwards we enjoyed a few beers with members of the ‘Gugge 2000’ band.
Overall, the band had a very successful and enjoyable trip to Bournemouth and we look forward to a return trip sometime in the future.
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‘Gugge 2000’ Band
Year 2001
Band Welcome For Cruise Ships: June - September
A selection of Friendship Band members welcoming American tourists arriving in Belfast aboard the Clipper Adventurer cruise ship 14/07/2001
Year 2000
Limerick International Band Competition
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th March 2000 - Friendship Band: Winners of Brass Band Category and Winner overall in all categories – competition came from Brass Bands, Concert Bands, Flute Bands and Jazz Bands.
Riom es Montagnes (Band Festival) France
In July 2000 the band undertook their first trip to France to take part in a music festival held in the town of Riom es Motagnes, in the Auvergne region. The band had a most enjoyable and successful trip playing for the local audiences. Also taking part in the festival were bands from Armenia, Portugal, and Scotland.
Year 1999
Limerick International Band Competition
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th March - Friendship Band: Winners of Brass Band Category and Winner overall in all categories - competition came from - Brass Bands, Concert Bands, Flute Bands and Jazz Bands.
Winner of adult Brass Band Category in the Parade Competition and Runner up overall in the parade.
Year 1998
New York St. Patrick's Day Parade
The highlight of 1998 was the band’s trip to the "Big Apple" in March when we took part in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This trip was the culmination of two years planning and fund raising and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the members. As well as taking part in the Parade, we entertained the public in several bars and restaurants in Manhattan and Queens.
During our stay in New York we were fortunate in having as one of our contacts a member of the New York Police Federation who organized a tour of the New York Police Academy for the band members.
The band will probably not go outside Ireland in 1999 as we will again be fund raising with the intention of organizing a trip abroad in the year 2000.
Friendship Band taking part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade,
New York (March 1998)
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