Saturday night concert in Salvation Army’s Union Street Citadel

Lurgan Band present their by now traditional, annual spring festival - the ninth in the series under the leadership of Kenny Briggs.

This year the band celebrate 122 years of continuous music making.

With a reputation of bringing the best musical talent to Lurgan, Festival 2014, is no exception. Carl Neilsen principal cornet with the Salvation Army’s world famous International Staff Band is the instrumental soloist. Carl enjoys a reputation throughout the wider brass band movement as one of the world’s great cornet players. Carl is joined on stage by his 12 year old son Thomas, also a cornet soloist and already regarded as a prodigious talent.

Vocal contrast is provided by Cantabile Choir under the musical direction of Kerrie Patterson Founded in 2007 Cantabile have travelled widely building up their reputation - both as a choir and for the many fine individual soloists in their ranks - in competitions and festivals throughout Ireland.

The concert will be compered by former Lurgan man Ian McBride. Ian left Lurgan in the early eighties to become an officer with the Salvation Army. As a commissioned Major within the Army Ian will be responsible for services on Sunday.

All proceeds of the evening will be donated to Parkinson’s Society. With bandsman Ivan Parry currently fighting this disease it was felt that this would be an appropriate gesture to mark Ivan’s 55 years service - and very reluctant recent retirement from - the band.

Supporting these musicians and Ian will be LSAB. With plans to perform some of the Army’s more challenging music a night of high quality brass and vocal - sacred and secular music - is guaranteed.

This concert to celebrate 122 Years of ‘Army’ banding in Lurgan takes place this Saturday night, March 1. Admission is £5 payable at the door.