At this time, Castlegore LOL 922, when on parade, marched to the traditional sound of Lambeg drums and fifes. The drums were looked after by William and Jimmy Boyd, whilst Sam Scott and Tom McClean played the fifes.
Sam McCleary was one of the local young men who was already involved with the flute band movement. He was a member of Hollybank Flute Band near Parkgate, and suggested that the Castlegore band receive instruction from Alec McConnell from Springvale, who tutored Hollybank.
This was the arrangement, and every week Andy Kitson from Steen's Corner was despatched to collect Alec McConnell from Springvale and bring him up to Castlegore Orange Hall. So the band was formed as a simple melody flute band playing Hawkes Crown AZ flutes. Alec McConnell worked in the shipyard in Belfast, where many of the flute bands of Ulster were represented among the huge workforce of 60,000 men . This enabled him to negotiate the quick procurement of flutes, and soon the Hawkes Crown AZ flutes were augmented by four F flutes, then by four Bass flutes. It was clear by this time that Alec McConnell was modelling Castlegore as a part flute band, much in the same mould as Hollybank. The percussion end of the band was being looked after by Jim McQuillan, who was the lead drummer for Cogry Accordion Band, who were long established. He taught the drumming and arranged for Castlegore to purchase their first set of rope drums from the Cogry band. The band decided to call itself Castlegore Amateur Flute Band. (One of the leading part flute bands at that time was the Ulster Amateurs, and several other bands had Amateur in their title.)
The band's first outing was an Orange engagement, the unfurling of a new banner at Artnagullion Orange Hall. The band paraded from Castlegore to Artnagullion, some 3 1/2 or 4 miles. At this stage, the band had no uniforms; they just wore dark jackets and caps.
The band continued to practice in Castlegore Orange Hall, and diligently went about their musical development. One of the first really big fundraising engagements the band took part in was playing at the Ballymena Showgrounds on matchday, playing tunes such as King Billy's March, the Deacon Memorial, Bobby Shaftoes and various hymn tunes. The band was augmented by friends from Hollybank Flute Band on such occasions. At this time, the other "local" notable part flute bands were Hollybank, Hydepark, Muckamore and Ballyeaston. Castlegore is the only one of these bands to survive to this date.
Castlegore LOL 922 then decided to extensively renovate the Orange Hall, so band practice relocated to the barn loft at Wallburn House adjacent to the Orange Hall.
This was not to be a permanent move. Around 1955, Whappstown Public Elementary School closed its doors to the local children. After laying dormant for a year or so, Mr William McClean, the last trustee of the School, entrusted the use of the building to the band (circa 1956/57) where they remain to this day.
Unfortunately, Alec McConnell took ill before a concert the band was to perform at, so the band was left without a conductor. Nathaniel (Nat) Boyd approached Alec's son, Becque, who played the piccolo for Ballyeaston Flute Band at the time, and also played for the senior band Argyle from the Shankill in Belfast. Becque McConnell took over from his father, and remained the band's conductor for a considerable length of time.
Soon the band was ready to purchase their first uniform, which was supplied by the Dromore tailoring firm Herron's. The band purchased the navy uniforms you can see in the various photos archived here. The band soon attended its first competition in Newtonards at the Ards Football Ground. It was a march competition, with competing bands playing on the move and marching up to the adjudicator. The band performed well, lead by Drum Major Davy Andrews, and won the cup for the Junior section.
Castlegore had tasted success in competition, and were keen for more. Soon, the band competed in the Own Choice competition in the Ulster Hall, playing "Alisma Overture". The band was successful and moved up to the Intermediate section, and even competed for a year in the Senior competition.
When Hydepark Flute Band from Mallusk folded, Castlegore were quick to buy their open holed Rudall Carte flutes, which comprised of 12 B flats and four F flutes. These were used until silver keyed flutes were becoming more widely available and proving the best choice for the part flute bands of Ulster.
Castlegore Amateur Flute Band followed the trend and purchased six solid silver Rudall Carte G trebles, four Monnig G Alto basses, and three CC Bass flutes, along with an assortment of concert flutes. These are the instruments the band still play to this day, and have served Castlegore well for over thirty years.
