WHAT A WEEKEND

16 counties / 26 bands represented
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We had a fantastic weekend for our inaugural Besson Brass Weekend - Limerick. Our intentions were to connect brass players from all over Ireland to strengthen the community through music, friendships and education. The workshops were led by Besson artists Owen Farr & Les Neish assisted by Stephen Crooks in what was a very successful weekend.
Plans are already in place for next year but in the meantime, stay tuned to our socials and website for the release of our registration form very soon for our 13th summer course, FTBBSS.com 2025. (17th-19th July)

Thanks to besson brass as always for their continued support over the past 12 years to enable us to bring these world class educators to counties in Ireland, so we can train and build a healthy exciting future for our brass band community.
Not forgetting Band Supplies Ltd. in supporting this event and others we hold throughout the year also.

Without this support, these events would not be possible.
See you in July!
#bessonbrass

WHICH BAND WILL WIN?
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FTBBSS.com Whit Friday Contest will see two bands go head to head both under the leadership of Prof Garry Cutt

Participants will be assigned randomly to either the König & Meyer (K&M) band or the Mercer & Barker Ltd band. Both bands will have 30 minutes to rehearse the march with Garry Cutt. Following that, the two bands will compete in our interpretation of the Whit Friday contest judged by two tutors.

Who will come out on top?

To reserve your spot on our three-day course, visit FTBBSS.com. Limited places are available.

​The Fermanagh/Tyrone Brass Band Summer School (FTBBSS) is pleased to the announce that Garry Cutt will be guest conductor for 2024.


Garry has developed a reputation as one of the worlds most respected and successful brass band conductors. Alongside numerous British Open titles, he is the youngest winning conductor in the competition’s history and the very first recipient of The Mortimer Maestro Award, having received a total of three since then. 


He was appointed Musical Director of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band in 1991, a position he held for twelve years. The phenomenal impact of the film ”Brassed Off” resulted in Garry leading the band on sell-out tours across the world.


Since then he was awarded the Iles Medal by The Worshipful Company of Musicians in recognition of his services to the Brass Band Movement. Garry has worked with the Fodens Richardson Band, Faireys Band and Brighouse and Rastrick Band just to name a few.


Due to Ian Porthouse’s busy schedule in the UK and abroad, he is now unavailable for ‘24, but we are delighted that Garry has accepted the invitation as guest conductor. Garry brings a wealth of experience to our event and alongside our team of world class tutors, this will be a real treat for the participants of the course. 


For more information on the course please visit FTBBSS.com

THANK YOU
Thank you everyone, the participants, our sponsors that gave so generously, the tutors, the FTBBSS Team and you the audience. We had a fantastic three days for our 11th course and we hope to see you in 2024.
#WeAreBesson
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Sponsors
Besson Brass
Mercer & Barker Ltd
König & Meyer
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Fermanagh & Omagh Arts and Culture
G R White & Son
Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges
Inishmacsaint
Charlie's Bar
Jim's Paper and Paints
Home, Field & Stream
Traynors Family Butchers
Tropic by Clare Carson
McBrides SPAR
Mullaghmore Bakery LTD
Phair Grylls
Angie's New Haven APizza
​Fran McGirr Fruit And Veg
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