The fact that the band rose to prominence so dramatically was due solely to the tireless commitment and dedication of Harry Gault.The band was renamed Strabane Concert Brass in 1979 and Harry guided them to several senior championship titles following their inaugural success in 1981.Not content with guiding one band to the senior section Harry was also responsible for taking the Murley Silver Band from Fivemiletown to Senior Section status.

Harry's influence extended beyond the bandroom to the lives of several players who went on to careers in music as a result of the interest they gained through the teaching of Harry.The many prominent visitors to the Strabane Concert Brass bandroom over the years came as a result of Harry's desire to improve the band and let the players experience tuition at the highest level. There is a great photograph of Harry Gault conducting our band and it hangs in our bandroom reminding us at every rehearsal of the tremendous debt we owe to our founder and mentor.When Harry died suddenly in April 1997 our Solo Cornet player John Houston wrote in the obituary column of the Belfast Telegraph words which very aptly captured the feelings of the band towards him.

"Wee Harry, big man"