The Ulster Bands Association

The Ulster Bands Association is a voluntary organisation consisting of marching bands, both flute and accordion, from throughout the entire province of Northern Ireland. It was formed in March 1998 when a number of representatives from bands from throughout Ulster came together for a meeting on the future of marching band culture.

All those present realised that for too long bands have remained autonomous and that a representative organisation was required to withstand the growing threat to that culture.

It was also agreed that the growing lack of public and political support for parades, along with internal disagreements needed to be addressed.
The Association is totally controlled, organised and run by representatives from member-bands of the Association. It does not have direct links to any of the Loyal Orders or any political party or movement. Nor does it subscribe to any political party or policy.

The Central Committee, which is elected from all memberbands at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in March, manages the day-to-day operations of the association.

In recent times especially, the Association has begun to gain support and respect for its objectives and acquired many ‘friends’ who were previously uneasy about Marching Bands. This has been done by networking with groups sympathetic to our cultural expression while not shying away from explaining ourselves to anyone with genuine interest or concern.

The Association has been at the forefront of defending not only the interest of its memberbands but the Marching Band Community as a whole.
Membership of the Association is a mere £15 each year. While the Association is a voluntary group, all member bands are asked to play a full and active role and to adhere to the code of conduct and other guidelines and policies.
These include subscribing annually to our policy document and selling 30 copies of each issue of our magazine.

For further information on the Ulster Bands Association contact -

Ulster Bands Association
P.O. Box 57
Coleraine
BT52 1WY

Telephone & Fax
(028) 70327599

Email
Uba98@hotmail.com
Uba_chairperson@hotmail.com

Website
www.ulsterbandsassociation.com

Official Magazine
To The Beat of The Drum
P.O. Box 57
Coleraine
BT52 1WY

Email
Tothebeatofthedrum@hotmail.com