20/05/2005 - DSB attend Whit Friday Contests in Saddleworth, Yorkshire:

On Thursday 19th May 2005, Dungannon Silver Band made their way to Saddleworth in Yorkshire for the Whit Friday Contests 2005. This was the second visit by the band to this event, the first being part of the band's Centenary celebrations in 2002. The trip was co-ordinated by Champion Brass and was thoroughly enjoyed by all band members and travelling supporters.

The band took part in the traditional Whit Friday morning parade through the village of Uppermill where they were clapped and cheered down the main street by hundreds of spectators. The 'star' of the show was young member, 6 year-old Luke Williamson who was assistant Drum Major to Robin Hazlie and will most likely be appearing in every local paper due to the hundreds of photographs being taken!!

On Whit Friday afternoon, the band began contesting at approximately 5pm, and visited seven villages in both Tameside and Saddleworth before completing an exhausting evening's contesting in the village of Denshaw around midnight. Latest results have indicated that the band has won prizes for Deportment in the villages of Freizland and Denshaw. Full results are available at www.4barsrest.com

Saturday gave the band a chance to wind down with a visit to the city of York while some members preferred to stay at the hotel and make use of the leisure facilities. However band Press Officer Keith Chambers decided that he would prefer to spend Saturday afternoon in Huddersfield General casualty department after having a fall-out with a weights bar whilst in the gym!!

The band played a selection of pieces from their current programme in a concert in Uppermill Civic Hall on Saturday night where they were well received by a full house. The second half of the concert was conducted by the Frankfurters Bavarian Band who, as usual, had everyone in stitches of laugher and, of course, a few of the band members on stage showing the audience just how it should be done - Northern Ireland style!!

The band returned on Sunday after an exhausting but enjoyable weekend with a few prizes and many memories. Our thanks must go to Phil and Helen Beckwith of Champion Brass for the hospitality extended to the band, and to all those who made the weekend a fantastic success.

30/10/2004 - DSB win Grade 4 at NIBA Contest:

Saturday 31st October 2004 saw Dungannon Silver Band take 1st prize in the Northern Ireland Bands Association Contest held in the Ulster Hall, Belfast. The band had not contested since 1996, and their last recorded win was in 1954 when they achieved 1st place in Grade 2.

Since accepting conductorship of the band in February 2000, Kenneth McAree has worked endlessly to improve the band's playing standard and has always had a return to contesting in his sights. On the first contesting win of his short conducting career he commented; "I am delighted with the band's result today. Much time and effort has been put in by every band member and the goal has now been achieved. Since I took over conductorship of the band it has been my aim to improve the standard of playing so that we could enter and do well in a contest. This result is an added bonus. Credit must also be given to the other bands in our Grade who played equally well. Every musical director has a different interpretation of the piece and luckily the adjudicator was looking for a similar interpretation to my own. While the band must be congratulated on their success we must now look to the future and progress to an even higher musical standard."

This fantastic result is a reflection of the committment and effort of all players, however a special mention must be given to the younger members of the band who gave one-hundred percent committment during rehersals and, when faced with their first experience in a contest, overcame the nerves to produce a fine result.

Adjudicator's remarks will soon be received and will be published on the website when they become available. A live recording of the piece should also be available for download within the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the website for further details.

01/09/2004 - DSB to return to contesting:

Dungannon Silver Band have decided to make a long awaited return to contesting after many years. Conductor, Kenneth McAree said: "It has been my aim since accepting conductorship of the band to bring the standard of playing back to a contesting level. After four years as conductor I now feel that the time is right to indroduce a contest piece to our repertoire."

The band have entered Grade Four and will play 'A Circus Suite' by Stuart Johnson at the NIBA contest on 30th October 2004 in the Ulster Hall. Performance time has not yet been confirmed.

12/07/2004 - DSB win 'Best Band' at the twelfth celebrations in Stewartstown, County Tyrone:

Dungannon Silver Band have been awarded the prize for 'Best Band' at the Twelfth of July celebrations in Stewartstown, County Tyrone. This is the first year that such a prize has been on offer and the band feels privileged to be chosen amid some 'tough' competition. The band also took part in a mass brass band display in the demonstration field during which the award was presented.