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Ballylone Flute Band

Ballylone Flute Band was formed in 1908 as a part flute marching band by the young men of the Townland on the outskirts of Ballynahinch, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

Today's membership is still drawn mainly from Ballynahinch but the Band now also has members from as far afield as Belfast, the Kingdom of Mourne and Scotland. There is also a young family structure throughout the membership with fathers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives all taking part, and an age difference for over 50 years between the oldest and youngest members.

The Band still takes part in many parades in the Province including the traditional Loyal Order processions, British Legion events and civic parades in Lisburn and Belfast.

The contest arena was first entered in 1947 and the Band has over the years successfully progressed through the various grades to become Flute Band League Grade 1 Champions in 1997 and the World Senior Flute Band Champions in 2002 and 2007.

George Hawthorne Senior was the first Conductor at Ballylone to make a major impact upon taking up the baton in 1962 with the then Grade 4 band and leading them with immediate success through to become the FBL Grade 2 winners in 1967. His 17 year reign was probably the most successful in terms of contest wins and trophies accumulated with notable triumphs in the NIBA (4 times), FBL (8), Mid Ulster (4 years in succession), Scottish Spring Contest and All Ireland Championships in Monaghan. 1976 was his most successful year winning all four contests entered.

Derrick Lown took over as Conductor in 1979 and almost single-handedly transformed a marching band that competed in anything from 2 to 4 contests annually to a concert flute band playing approximately 10 concerts a years as well as building an impressive presence on parade. After success in 1983 NIBA Championship, Derrick led Ballylone into the extremely competitive Grade 1 section. He steered the band to 3rd in the NIBA (World) Championship, 1986 and 2nd in FBL Championship in 1987.

Ballylone however did not become a consistent serious contender in the top section until the arrival of Ronnie Kennedy as Musical Director in 1993. Under Ronnie's supervision the band steadily improved and was regularly placed in the top 3 prizes, winning the FBL in 1997 and NIBA 2002. In October 2004, the band travelled to Northern Holland for an extended weekend of concerts, playing to large audiences again under the Musical Directorship of their Honorary Conductor, Ronnie.

Philip Walton is a violist (a player of the viola) in and deputy conductor of the Ulster Orchestra and it was a considerable coup in the banding world when Ballylone was able to acquire his services as Musical Director in 2003. Under his direction, the band has matured into a fine ensemble with a consistent high standard of performance in concerts and contests. In October 2007, he emulated Ronnie in taking a clean sweep of all 5 trophies at the World Championship. Another fine arranger, Philip has arranged test pieces for the Band as well as a World Championship test piece in 2005.

Ballylone Band has over the past 25 years or so developed into a well known and respected Concert Band, playing concerts in the Belfast and Down District parks during the summer months as well as Church and various charity events throughout the year. The Band has regularly taken part in the BBC Northern Ireland "Strike up the Band" broadcasts.

As part of the centenary year celebrations the Ballylone Flute Band had recorded an extended list of world famous concert marches, most of which have been used by the band in contests, concerts and parades over the years, and which show the band's expertise off to good effect.