What We Play

The band pride themselves in the wide variety of music that we play. We play traditional music such as regimental marches, traditional Irish music, classical and folk music as well as an expanding range of rock and pop and music from movies and theatre. Recent additions include the theme from Star Wars and Is this the way to Amarillo.

Instruments

The band plays concert flutes using the Boehm system. In addition to concert flutes we play C Bass and Alto flutes at the lower end and G Treble and Piccolo at the top end.

Piccolo

The piccolo is a small flute. Like the concert flute it is pitched in the key of C, but one octave above the concert flute.

Treble

The Treble flute is smaller than a concert flute but larger than a piccolo. It is pitched a fifth higher than the concert flute, in the key of G. They are rare today and are only extensively used in concert flute bands in Northern Ireland and Scotland. . We currently include Solo Treble and 1st Treble in our concert pieces.

Concert

The most numerous flutes in the band are western concert flutes in the key of C. The concert flute has a range of about 3 and a half octaves, starting at C4 (middle C). We currently include Solo Concert, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Concert sections in most pieces.

Alto

The Alto flute is larger than a concert flute and is pitched in the key of G, starting at G3. It is sometimes played with a curved head piece to make it easier to hold. We usually have alto and solo alto sections.

Bass

The bass flute is the largest of the flutes we play. It is pitched in the key of C, an octave below the concert flute. Because of its length (146cm) it is made with a curved head to bring the embouchure within reach of the player.