A little bit of a Fermanagh connection was present in the Ulster Orchestra's visit to the Ardhowen Theatre on Saturday.

Mark O'Keefe, originally from Cork, was taught by John Wallace, Principal of The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and one of the leading trumpet professors in the UK, if not the world.

Mark commenced his music education at the Cork School of Music before going to The Royal Northern College of Music and then to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow.

In 1992 he was the winner of the 'RTE Musician of the Future' competition and on his return to Ireland later that year, he was appointed Associate Principal Trumpet with the National Symphony orchestra, a post he held for four years before becoming Principal Trumpet with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a post he has held for the last ten years.

Fermanagh Concert Band's Musical Director, David Baxter explains further.

"It was following a series of visits of music workshops to Fermanagh with the then leading brass ensemble, 'The Wallace Collection', that some members of the band built up a friendship with Mark's mentor and teacher, John Wallace.

Subsequently they invited him to be their patron, which he spontaneously and willingly accepted."

"Since then he has been most supportive, just like our other patron Sir James Galway, who keeps in touch with me by email and the odd phone call."

Mark O'Keefe not only was taught by Wallace but also appears with him on CD in 'Jazzi Metal' which is a compilation of Portuguese-inspired works for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music Brass and supported by The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Before the concert on Saturday night, members of the band, David Baxter, Leo McGandy, Sharon Hoey and Francesca Taylor enjoyed meeting Mark where he showed them his new trumpet which can play in both Eb and Bb and he discussed the challenges of playing Hummel in a small theatre.