About us
We have been associated with marching bands for over 120 years. At least every member of the family can either play a flute or a drum or both. Our great grandfather was a fifer and played with the lambeg drums in Tullyhogue, Co. Tyrone. His sons were either fifers or drummers and the tradition is still strong as his great grandsons are both holders of World Championship Medals for playing in flute bands.
Flute and Drum repairs has been carried out in our Enniskillen premises since 1981, but originally started over 40 years ago by our repair specialist Alvin Mullan. Since then we have repairs thousands of flutes for bands throughout Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, UK and Europe. We also repair traditional irish flutes and have worked for Cathal McConnell and John Joe Maguire.
We decided to design of our own wooden Bb 5 key marching flute and called it 'Mull-Wilk', that was in January 2005 and since then that flute has been sold to 23 bands throughout Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
As we are located in Enniskillen, Co. Fermangh (West of Ulster) and having no Music Shop to catering for marching bands in the area, we decided to start Erne Music Supplies.
We listen to our customers and try of supply instruments which they need and in some case we design new instruments for these bands. Back in 2007, we got an enquiry from a band in South Londonderry, the had been using Skeleton drums (which are small brass drums with cut-outs on the shells) their drums where approaching 100 years of age and where in need of replacing. We searched the world for a manufacturer and when we found one we got moving of ordering a sample. We held an evening in Curran Orange Hall in South Londonderry to promote the new skeleton drum. We left that night with 47 orders. The following week new orders came in from the local A.O.H. bands who also used the skeleton drums and the total order soon came to 100 drums.
In another case a band approached us in late 2008, so impressed with the comments of our 'Mull-Wilk' Bb Flutes and asking for a sample and trying it out, came back saying it was excellent but if we can making it with only 2 keys. We supplied that band from Newtownstewart with a set of 2 Key 'Mull-Wilk' Bb flutes in early 2009.
We launched our Belleisle range of metal Concert flutes and have been sold to a number of part music flute bands and flute choirs throughout the UK. In 2009 we designed a new Belleisle G Treble which have proved to be greatly loved my experienced flute players in the part music flute band world.
Also in 2009, having attended a large musical instrument fair in Germany, we saw a company who have developed Carbon Fibre marching drums and drumkits. On ordering a sample and testing it, we decide to let other view it and getting their comments as to whether it would be ideal for marching bands. Their comments and expressions were excellent and we decide to promote the drum to marching bands throughout the UK. The company who developed and manufacturers the drums are based in Taiwan and have now Erne Music Supplies are the UK & Ireland Distributor for the Ming Carbon Fibre Marching Drum.
In 2010, we are hoping to expand the business even further with new products and accessories, so please do check our website.