The band once again had the privilege to play at the now annual Rangers vs Linfield match at Windsor Park on 30 July 2003. This was the real highlight in the year for the band , playing infront of 20000 spectators,from all over the UK, before the game and at half time. The band played with 32 flutes, 10 dums and 2 bass drums, 4 cymbal players and a couple of triangles but this could have been more had it not been for some of the lads at wedding rehersals and on holiday. The band played a number of marches as the crowd filled the stadium while trying to pull off a number of different marching formations. When entering the stadium the band spilt in half forming into one when the entire band was on the pitch. The band also demonstrated some counter marching at each end of the pitch and then went for the big one, the 'band burst' which is a little hard to explain but basically each row of the band spilts off on its own and turns round to form the band up again (this prob doesn't make any sense) but you get a better idea from some of the photos below. At halftime the band played again but this time came out with its' selection of jigs and more traditional tunes. All I can say is that the hairs were standing on the back of my neck when we halted over at the North Stand and played Follow Follow and Wee Pal Joe to which every person in the stand and probably the stadium were on their feet singing along to at the top of their voices. Truly one of the most memorable experiences any of the lads have ever had in their time in the band. Jim managed to get a yarn with Alex McLeish who recieved a copy of Millennium Beat last year at the match and according to him one of the coaches plays it on the team bus on occasions. (so thats why they won the treble!).
The band would like to thank those who made all the possible in particular Billy and all those at Linfield F.C. Also a big thank you to our Drum Major for the day Andrew Carlise who had the lads out on Monday night practicing the formations. Fingers crossed we'll be back again.
Click to Enlarge (There are alot more photos and I will be adding them when I get my hands on them)
| home |
about us | news | parades |
music | photos | guestbook |
links
| e-mail |
td>