LATEST NEWS
Website updated 19th March 2012
Ardee Band leads 45th Parade
St Patrick’s Day is usually the busiest day of the year for Ardee Concert Band and this year was no exception. At twelve o’clock mass which was offered for the living and deceased members, they performed a programme of Hail Glorious St Patrick, An Irish Blessing, Vivaldi’s Winter, the hymn to St Columba, Faith of our Fathers and the St Patrick’s Day march, all conducted by Harry Kelly.
The members had a quick turn around when they had to be back in the band rooms for 2.30pm to form up for the Parade at three o clock. The band was led this year by Fiona Reilly PRO acting as Staff Major in the absence of Paddy Ward. The four flag bearers Clodagh McClean, Lauren Mathews, Samantha Connolly and Sinead Nutley carried the Ardee Town flag, the Louth flag, the Leinster flag and the Italian national flag in honour of our visitors from Nettuno. This was the 45th parade for the town and it just gets better and better every year. The band were the original organisers of the parade, which started in 1968.
Next weekend the 24th and 25th are busy for the band again as it’s the weekend of their Church Gate Collection at all masses in Ardee and Ballapousta. For the junior members of the band, it’s their annual trip, which this year is to Bowling and Quasar in Dublin. Committee members will supervise the youngsters for the day. We appreciate our young members and like to let them mix with each other without their instruments.
The members of the Youth Band and the Senior Band have a busy few weeks ahead as the National Band Championships are being held in the Cork School of Music on the 14th and 15th of April, both bands are working towards these competitions.
Website updated 15th March 2012
Momentous musical memories created in Ardee
Saturday last 10th of March was a momentous day for Ardee Concert Band when they hosted an intense musical workshop and were delighted to be joined by their guests for the day, the Britannia Concert Band from Derry. The Derry band arrived at 10am to a welcoming reception of refreshments after their long and early journey. After some welcoming speeches from Austin Nevin chairman of Ardee and from Colin Laird, chairman of Britannia, the workshop began with sectional master classes given by professional tutors Brendan Breslin of the Garda Band. Alice Nolan and David Collins of the RTE Concert Orchestra.
Brendan who was the lead tutor and conductor for the day took the percussion section; Alice took the woodwind musicians and David the brass. The tutors imparted their expertise, demonstrating techniques in breathing; articulation and sound production for the brass and woodwind players while Brendan put the percussionists through their places.
After lunch the two bands formed together for the afternoon under the baton of Brendan performing the three pieces that were chosen by him for learning purposes. The pieces were a march called Punchinello, an Irish Blessing and a piece named Eire by Melanie Donahue. The members of both bands got plenty of time to chat with one another over the copious cups of tea and coffee during the day, which were supplied by committee members Aine Finegan, Caroline Kirk, Loraine Walsh, James and Nora Gargan and Chairman Austin Nevin.
The members of the Derry band were bowled over by the friendliness and the warm reception which they received from the Ardee band. They were also very impressed with the premises and facilities in the Bohemian Centre. Both bands enjoyed the day and learned a lot from the three tutors. This was a wonderful collaboration for the two bands, it was a very worthwhile experience for both bands, friendships were made and the Ardee band members are looking forward to a return visit to Derry at some stage in the future, probably later in the year.
This is the third time Ardee Concert Band has had collaboration with a band from Northern Ireland and this encourages cross border liaisons having already fused links with Fermanagh Concert Band and St Eugene’s Concert Band form Omagh.
Colin Laird, Chairman of Britannia Concert Band, presented the Ardee chairman, Austin Nevin, with a beautiful engraved plaque in recognition of the day.
The members of Ardee came together again on Sunday morning to do some more work on the test piece for the national championships with the tutors with the additional expertise of James McCafferty of the Garda Band.
On Sunday afternoon it was the turn of the Youth Band to have workshops. This was a wonderful opportunity for the younger members, they all enjoyed their afternoon and gained a lot from it. All in all it was a great success.
Website updated 11th February 2012
Hectic schedule for Ardee Concert Band.
Having recently led the Save St. Joseph’s Hospital protest march in Ardee on Saturday 28th January, the members of Ardee Concert Band have a very busy schedule over the coming weeks.
Band AGM
First and most importantly is the A.G.M., which is on Monday next 20th of February. Although this is usually well attended by interested parties, we like to remind members, associate members and especially, parents of younger members, of this meeting.
Solo & Ensemble Competitions
The North Eastern Region of the Band Association are holding their annual Solo & Ensemble Competitions in Ardee on Sunday next 19th March. These competitions are open to 6 bands in the area, Drogheda Brass Band, Lourdes Brass Band, Navan Silver Band, Mullingar Town Band, St Mary’s Brass & Reed Band, Kingscourt and Ardee Concert Band.
Launch of National Tree Week
On Sunday 4th of March at 12pm the band will perform at the National Tree Week Launch Ceremony organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and hosted by the Ardee Tidy Towns Committee. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will officially launch National Tree Week 2012 with a tree planting ceremony at 12 noon, this will be the first official visit of our new president to the town.
Joint Workshop with Britannia Concert Band
On March 11th the members of Ardee will host a visiting band from Derry. Britannia Concert Band from Derry was formed in 1866 and boasts a great history and tradition of music making. They plan to do a joint workshop where the members from both bands will break into small groups for some intensive tutoring. Afterwards the bands will combine to perform together with further tutoring. Two very experienced professional musicians and conductors, Brendan Breslin and James Mc McCafferty have already agreed to act as tutors for the day. Unfortunately there is no plan to do a public performance as it is designed to be a learning day for both bands.
St. Patrick’s Day
Of course, one of the busiest days of the year for the band is St Patrick’s Day. The band will play at the 12pm mass for deceased members with a quick turnaround to lead the Parade in the afternoon at 3pm.
Church Gate Collection
On Saturday and Sunday 24th/25th March we have our church gate collection. The band appreciates the generous donations given by the people of the town in the past and hope that people continue to be as generous.
Members’ outing to Quasar & Bowling
Also on Sunday 25th March approximately 80 young members will go on a trip to Quasar & Bowling in Blanchardstown. The band have now got 115 young members under 18 in the organisation, most of them still receiving weekly tuition.
National Band Championships
Finally the band are also preparing for the National Band Championships, which are being held on the 14th/15th of April in the beautiful surroundings of the Cork School of Music. This year both the senior band and youth band intend to compete.
Bingo
As usual we have our weekly Bingo in the Bohemian Centre every Sunday at 8pm.
So with all these activities going on and rehearsals and lessons in the bandroom every night, the band has a hectic schedule in the coming weeks.