The Band
3 x 30' - BBC ONE NI (2019)
The Band is a new series for BBC Two Northern Ireland that brings us into a remarkable world of colour, character and community. A community brought together by a shared love of music and performance.
This is the world of marching bands – a strong part of the Ulster-Scots tradition – as we have never seen it before.
Intimate and revealing, the programmes meet those involved in bands across Northern Ireland. For them, the band is family. It gives them a sense of being part of something special, a chance for cultural expression and to share the music passed down from generation to generation.
The Band is made by DoubleBand Films for BBC Northern Ireland with funding from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcasting Fund.
EPISODE 1
In the first episode of this new documentary series exploring the world of marching bands, 9 year-old Jamie from Ballygowan prepares to play alongside his dad in an important competition while Rachel from Antrim swaps her flute for her fiddle as she celebrates her 21st birthday.
EPISODE 2
In this second episode of this series Angela from Drum in Co-Monaghan reflects on the friendships she has forged over many years in an accordion band while Amanda from Fivemiletown has her hands full getting her three children ready to perform with the local pipe band.
EPISODE 3
In the final episode of this documentary series, a baby on the way means Julie Ann from Dunloy has to miss out on some band activities while Sam, a farmer from Ballygowan, is determined his band will pick up the big prize at an end of season competition.
