This number was reduced and at the following rehearsal Gerry McCauley, Patsy McColgan (flugal horn), Pat Boyle (cornet), Skater Madden and Mickey, himself on cornet, got their first brass instruments. Rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday nights, not to mention the Sunday afternoon, gave the young players plenty of time to 'learn the ropes' and practise their instruments. Mickey recalls happy days 'dummying' on his first marches and concerts where the novice looked on to see what valves should be down. As a young lad, rushing from playing cricket in Strabane Recreation Park to get to rehearsals on time, were the first signs of the commitment and dedication that became a way of life for a man who has so untiringly given up his free time in his involvement with the people of the town.