KowalskiL A CO Down flute band, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will be hoping to hit the right note at next month's concert.
Kilkeel-based Pride of Ballinran is regarded as one of the best known and respected bands in the country, participating in up to 40 parades every year.
Making their debut at the News Letter's Festival of Marching Bands, members are already preparing their repertoire for the band's Ulster Hall appearance on November 30.
Experienced flautist Colin Forsythe, who joined the band in 1980, explained that he and his colleagues were looking forward to participating on the "big stage".
"We practice every week anyway but in the run-up to the concert, we will probably ramp it up to two a week," the Newcastle man said.
"Our conductor will be currently working on at least one new piece, maybe two, and we'll be going over that over the next few weeks."
The band, which has approximately 50 members in total, will play a selection of pieces to an expected sell-out audience next month.
Admitting being involved with a band can be a "full-time commitment and is almost like a second job", Colin says members are very proud to express their culture through music. "It's almost like a family as we spend so much time together. Our lives are invested in the band and it is almost part of who we are and what we are."
Looking ahead to the concert, he added: "It will obviously involve a lot of work, but it gives us a focus during the winter months and something to aim for."
Other flute bands set to feature as part of the two-night festival include South Fermanagh Loyalists, Clogher Protestant Boys, Churchill and Whiterock.
http://ping.fm/3PZbb 
