Ardee Band leads 45^th 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 45^th 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 24^th and 25^th 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 14^th and 15^th of April, both bands are working towards these competitions.

Website updated 15th  March 2012

Momentous musical memories created in Ardee

Saturday last 10^th 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 28^th 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 20^th 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 4^th 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 11^th 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 24^th/25^th 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 25^th 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.

Two Standing Ovations in a week for Ardee Concert Band

On Friday last, 16^th December, Ardee Concert Band members, from the oldest to the youngest, performed to a thronged appreciative audience at their Annual Christmas Concert held in their own 400-seater concert hall, the Bohemian Centre. The atmosphere was electric It was probably our best concert ever by the feedback we are getting.

The night kicked off with the 50 strong Recorder Group. Forty of these children only starting learning recorder in the band 12 weeks ago. The tutors of this group are senior band members Emily Cox, Gerry Farrell and Aisling Reilly who conducted them in turn while they gave renditions of the “Grand Old Duke Of York”, “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “Jingle Bells”. It was a conducting debut for Emily and Aisling with an audience. They were all brilliant especially as another feature of this group is that many of them are only eight due to the band lowering the entry age this year.

The next performers were Ardee Concert Youth Band conducted by John Gaynor.  There were ten new members to this group since September. They played a very entertaining selection of music containing  “Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End”, “Hedwig’s Theme”, “Treasury of Carols”, “Little Brown Jug” and “Thriller”. This group range in age from eleven to fourteen. John has worked very hard with this group and they performed really well on the night.

The Senior Band took the stage for the second half under the baton of Brendan Breslin who is a professional musician with the Garda Band. This was due to regular conductor Harry Kelly taking a break due unfortunately to illness. However Harry attended the concert and conducted one piece. The band wish Harry a very speedy recovery, it was great to see him there.

The band had some featured soloists, Nicky Callan principal trumpet performed “Blues in the Night” on trumpet and “The Mission” on flugel horn. The Alto Saxophone section Robert Finegan, Darren Kirk and Lorcan Fields performed “We Three Kings”. The band accompanied guest artist Niall Callan on guitar playing an arrangement by Paul O Brien of some “Horslips” tunes. For many the highlight of the night was Amazing Grace played on bagpipes by guest artist Patrick Martin. The band, ably assisted by narrator Ciara Douglas from the Youth Band, performed a comedy rendition of The Three Little Pigs, this had some visual effects which were not to be missed. Brendan Conlon did a fantastic rendition of “Proud Mary”. Compere for the night was band member, Peter McKeever, who did an excellent job.

All in all it was a very successful night and the band received a standing ovation from the audience. This was the second time in a week that this had happened as the audience in Clane last Sunday, 11^th December, also gave the band a standing ovation when they performed a very successful concert with the Millicent Singers under the baton of band member Alan Kelly.

The band also performed on Sunday 18^th with other local artists at the local Carol Service in Ardee Church. Again Brendan Breslin stood in for Harry. This is all part of the Christmas season for us.  Band members will be playing carols on the town on Christmas Eve morning and afternoon.

The culmination of the Christmas will be 12.30 Mass on Christmas Day when the band traditionally play, before a well deserved rest until classes and rehearsals resume in the New Year.

Updated 27th November 2011

Busy Festive Season for Ardee Concert Band

It’s hard to believe that it’s this time of year again and the Christmas music has been taken out to cheer the Ardee public for the festive season. This is a very busy time for the members of Ardee Concert Band, old and young.

The preparations have been going on for some weeks now especially with the newest additions to the ranks, the Recorder Group. Most of this group will perform for the first time at our annual Christmas concert on Friday December 16^th. This is a date to be put in the diaries, as the Ardee Concert Band Christmas Concert is always one not to be missed. This years concert will include the Recorder Group, the Youth Band and the Senior Band. There are now over 170 members in the band, 120 of whom are under 18 years of age.

At the moment, the Recorder Group is so big, it is divided into three groups. They are being tutored by senior band members Gerry Farrell, Aisling Reilly and Emily Cox. The group will combine with last years group to perform a selection of the tunes they have been learning since joining the band. The tutors say that they are progressing very well and the children are getting very excited about their debut performance and Santa who will visit on the night.

The Youth Band, which has 35 members, is also busy preparing for the concert under the baton of John Gaynor. This group is always changing.  As the member’s progress, they move up into the senior band and new students that have been on their instrument for a year replace these. Once again there are young musicians performing with this group for the first time. John has a varied choice of music including some especially for the Christmas spirit.

The Senior Band have a very busy time, they will perform in a concert with the Millicent Singers in Clane County Kildare on Sunday December 11^th   at 3.30pm. This musical extravaganza will be conducted by band member Alan Kelly who now resides in the area and conducts the Millicent Singers and the Nas na Ri choir in Naas.  The band did this collaboration last year with great success and were invited down again.

On Friday 2^nd of December, Santa is arriving in Ardee and he will be greeted by some members of the senior band who will perform carols and festive tunes at the Ardee Castle for the crowd. The members will also play carols on the street on Christmas Eve morning and afternoon and somewhere in between will play for the residents of Moore Hall Lodge while they await Santa’s arrival there.

The highlight of the year will be our own concert on the 16^th. Tickets are available from any band member. They can be purchased at the bingo on any Sunday night between now and the 16^th or can be purchased at the door on the night. Adults 10 euro and children 7 euro.

Unfortunately our conductor Harry Kelly will not be with us due to Illness this Christmas season. The band have engaged Brendan Breslin of the Garda Band to conduct us in our concert and also in the local Carol Service which will be held in the Church on Sunday, December 18^th at 7pm.

The final Christmas performance for the band will be at Mass on Christmas Day. This has become a tradition for the band and this year John Gaynor will conduct the band for the ceremony.

The band members would like to wish all  our supporters and Bingo supporters a very healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.

Updated 20th October 2011

Top Prize for Ardee Concert Band

Forty eight members of Ardee Concert Band travelled to Armagh on Saturday 15th of October for the North of Ireland Band Championships to return victorious yet again having been awarded first prize in the Championship Concert Band Section with a score of 94 out of 100 by well known adjudicator Donald Finlayson. The band performed two pieces of own choice Concert Prelude by Philip Sparke and Ross Roy by Jacob De Haan. Harry Kelly conducted the band for the competition. The members enjoyed a meal on the way home in the Carrickdale Hotel. This is the fourth time the band has taken home this title.

The last few weeks have been hectic for the band, on Monday, September 19^th, 50 new members joined the recorder group. Because of the large entry, three classes were formed, the tutors of the recorder groups are Gerry Farrell, Aisling Reilly and Emily Cox.

All other classes have also resumed in the past few weeks. Sixty young people are receiving individual or small group tuition with Nicky Callan and John Gaynor tutoring Trumpets, Vincent McArdle tutoring French Horn, Tony Flanagan Clarinet, Alan Cox, Laura Jones and Sean O Brien tutoring Saxophone, Susan Connolly Flute, Jimmy Walsh Euphonium and Tuba, Kevin Reilly Trombone and Paul O Brien Percussion. The bandroom is now a hive of activity several nights of the week.  Between the Recorder Groups and the young people receiving tuition on instrument, 110 young members receive tuition every week.

The junior band under musical director John Gaynor rehearse every Thursday at 7.30pm and the senior band under Harry Kelly rehearse twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday, at 8pm.

With the Armagh competition out of the way, the band has turned its attention to the next highlight of the year, their Christmas concert. This concert will involve both the senior and junior bands. The new recorder groups will also perform for the first time at the concert. Christmas is a very busy time for the band with a joint concert with the Millicent Singers in Clane on Dec 11^th. They will perform in the Carol Service, a date for which has yet to be decided. There will be the usual playing of carols on the street locally and in the nursing home on Christmas Eve and 12.30pm Mass on Christmas Day.

Updated 11th September 2011

Annual Enrolment Night for Ardee Concert Band

Monday, September 19^th is a date for the calendar for those parents wishing to start their children on their musical careers as Ardee Concert Band opens its doors for their Annual Enrolment Night.  Prospective members with their parents can attend at 7.30pm at the bandroom on the Ash Walk, Ardee for an informative talk on all aspects of the band especially the Ardee Concert Band School of Music. Leaflets will be distributed to all the local schools during the week containing information about the night.

New entry ege:-

The most important message about this year’s enrolment night is that the band has lowered the entry age to eight years of age. “The committee have decided that due to the phenomenal success of the Youth Band, we can facilitate younger children” says Fiona Reilly, PRO. All prospective members aged eight years and over are welcome on the night.

Recorder groups:-

Most of these new entrants will go into the recorder groups but we also facilitate those with musical experience who will go straight on to band instruments. In these days of difficult financial times, the band is a very inexpensive way of providing music lessons with the added advantage of social interaction within a group in the wonderful facility that is the Bohemian Centre.  Application forms will be available on the night and senior members of the band will be on hand to assist all those interested.

Members who joined in 2010:-

Those members who joined last year and were successful in the recorder group are invited to a Demonstration Night of the various instruments currently available for tuition, these are Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone and Euphonium. This will be held on Wednesday 21^st September at 7.30pm

Collection:-

The band were delighted with the response to their Church Gate Collection in Ardee and Ballapousta on Saturday and Sunday 10^th and 11^th of September. Without the support of the people of Ardee, the band would not survive and would not be able to provide the musical tuition to the young people of Ardee and surrounding areas.

 Updated 27^th August 2011

 Busy August 2011 for Ardee Concert Band

 Ardee Concert Band started August by performing to a large crowd in the Fairgreen on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the Turfman Festival, unfortunately the recital had to be cut short due to the inclement weather. Nevertheless the members enjoyed performing under the baton of Liam Daly, the guest conductor for the day.

The members had their summer break, resuming on August 14^th when they gave a recital in Carlingford with their usual conductor Harry Kelly as part of the Oyster Festival, this performance was again halted temporally due to rain but after a short break the band played on to a large and appreciative audience.

On Saturday 20^th the band played at the local Golf Club as they were celebrating the centenary of their opening. Thankfully the weather was kind to all concerned. The band was treated to some refreshments by the club afterwards. 

On the evening of Friday 26^th the band gave a recital at Barmeath Castle as part of Heritage Week. This event was a Garden Party organised by Brian Bellew at his home near Togher in aid of a local charity. This has become an annual event. At the Garden Party, there was a performance of Irish dancing and the highlight of the evening was a re-enactment by the Bellew Regiment of Muskets. This was a lovely evening in beautiful surroundings.

The last performance of the band for the summer of 2011 was Sunday 28^th of August in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Once again the band members and their supporters brought picnics and made a day of it.

Next on the agenda for the band is the North of Ireland Band Championships which are due to be held on Saturday, October15th in Armagh. The band are the current holders of this title. 

The band are also planning their enrolment night for beginners, which hopefully will be early in September. This year the band has decided to lower the entrance age to eight years old.

Updated 24/07/2011

Proms in the Park with Ardee Concert Band

On Sunday next 31st of July 2011, in conjunction with the Turfman Festival, Ardee Concert Band will perform an afternoon delight of music themed “Proms in the Park”. The band have invited guest conductor Liam Daly to lead them in this musical hotchpotch of popular tunes for the entertainment of festival goers in the Fair Green in Ardee. As big crowds are expected, the audience are encouraged to bring their picnics and sit back, relax and enjoy the entertainment. Liam has compiled a programme of music familiar to those of all ages and is hoping for some audience participation.

Liam who hails from Dublin has been a friend to Ardee Concert Band for many years. Liam is a member of the well-known Daly family, his brothers Lorcan and Brian have both conducted the Ardee Band in the past. Liam has vast experience as a musician and conductor, he was the Musical Director of The Band of the Western Command and Southern Command of the Irish Army.

This will be the first performance of a busy August for the band as they have recitals in Carlingford for the Oyster Festival on Sunday 14^th  at 3pm, at Ardee Golf Club on Saturday 20^th at 6pm, at a Garden Party in Barmeath Castle on Friday 26^th at 6.30pm and at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Dublin at 2pm on 28^th August.

Also in conjunction with the Turfman Festival, the band is running a Special Festival Bingo with extra prizes on Sunday 31^st at 8pm.

Ardee Concert Band take 2^nd prize in exciting Clonakilty band festival

 The hive of concert and brass band activity this past weekend was in Clonakilty in Co Cork. Now in it’s 32^nd year, the South of Ireland Band Championships is indeed one of the highlights of the band calendar. This year Louth was well represented by the Lourdes Brass Band from Drogheda and Ardee Concert Band.

After their very successful trip to Prague last year Ardee Concert Band decided to stay in Ireland in 2011. This definitely paid off, as not only was it a very enjoyable weekend but a successful one also. Saturday was a full day of competitions from junior to senior standard. Ardee, conducted by Harry Kelly, was the last band to perform of seven bands in the senior section. All bands had to do a 15-minute entertainment programme, which must include a march. Ardee’s chosen pieces were the Liberty Bell march by Sousa (the Monty Python theme music), The Best of Herb Albert, Ticket To Ride (Beatles) and Moment for Morricone. Thirty five members of the band travelled, seven of them were so dedicated they travelled up and down on the day. Several members missed out unfortunately due to holiday arrangements or exams.

 The Senior section winners were the local Blarney Brass and Reed Band with Ardee Concert Band in 2^nd place and Ennis Brass Band in  3^rd place. Other competitors were Lourdes Brass Band, Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band Limerick, Fermoy Concert Band and St James’s Brass and Reed Dublin. The adjudicator, Philip Harper from Bristol complemented Ardee on their exciting musical performance. There were many smaller awards, best music arrangement went to St James’s for their arrangement of Tribute to Count Basie, best march, best brass and best woodwind went to Blarney. However, Ardee were very proud and privileged to be the first ever recipients of the Robbie Tiernan memorial Cup for the best Trombone Performance.

 The Ardee Concert Band trombone section consists of members Mark McLoughlin, Oisin Clarke, Paul Callan and Andrew Coyle. These are four very talented and dedicated members, “we are very proud of them and they performed very well to achieve this award” says Fiona Reilly PRO.

 Robbie who was a member of the Lourdes Brass Band, was a great friend to Ardee Concert Band, he paid many visits to Ardee, “in fact the last time I saw Robbie he was playing in our bandroom” says Fiona. Indeed on one of the band’s last trips to Clonakilty, Robbie travelled on the Ardee bus, as with work commitments he couldn’t travel earlier that weekend with his own band. Robbie being Robbie he entertained the younger band members down the back of the bus the whole way to Clonakilty. Robbie is remembered with great fondness by the members of Ardee Concert Band and we are delighted that our trombone section have won this award.

Ardee Concert Band plays for President – twice!

You can’t be in two places at the one time but Ardee Concert Band members managed it last Saturday when they played for the President, not once but twice!

When the President arrived at the Ardee Parish Centre on Saturday morning for “The Gardai in the Community” event organised by Superintendent Ray Brennan of the Ardee Garda District, five young members performed as the President walked into the main hall. They were Robert Finegan, Darren Kirk, Liam Taaffe, Simon Cox and Killian Byrne and they played an impressive saxophone quintet arrangement of the Radetsky March.

A mad dash was then made by Robert, Darren and Liam to Tallanstown to join the other 40 members of the Ardee Concert Band who were invited by Tallanstown Tidy Town committee to celebrate the unveiling of a special plague by the President marking Tallanstown’s great win in the 2010 Tidy Towns competition.

The band, conducted by Harry Kelly, entertained the large crowd until Mary McAleese arrived at 12 noon when the they played the Presidential Salute. As the special commemorative plaque was unveiled, the band played a rousing Fanfare.  The President spent some time meeting the people of Tallanstown while the band played a further programme. Great credit to the Tallanstown Tidy Towns committee who organised a fantastic day and provided refreshments for all who attending this special day.

Concert in Naas

There is no time to rest for the band as they will perform in a concert tilted “Music of the Movies” in The Executive Pavilion at Punchestown Race Course on Saturday, May 21^st with the Nas na Ri singers under the baton of Ardonian, Alan Kelly, a member of the band and conductor of the choir.

Grade Exams

On 24th, 25th and 26th of May, sixty-four members will sit the Grade Examinations of the Royal Irish Academy of Music due to be held in the Bohemian Centre. 

Ardee Concert Band Special Awards Night

The Bohemian Centre, home of Ardee Concert Band, was abuzz on Thursday night last, 5^th May, as Mums and Dads and family members came to hear the next generation of the band perform. The evening started with a performance by the current Recorder Group, conducted for the evening by Sean O Brien, one of their instructors.

The band holds annual grade examinations through the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Kevin Reilly, MC for the night, explained that last year, 50 students sat examinations and had excellent results. Six band members received distinctions, this means 90% or above.   Dermot Murray, band secretary, presented these certificates and congratulated the students on their achievements.

The band also wanted to mark the fabulous win of the Ardee Concert Youth Band at the National Band Championships on April 9^th last when they took first prize in Section 4. The Youth Band conductor John Gaynor made the presentation of medals to all who performed on the day and also to Alex Clinton who unfortunately broke his collarbone a day or two beforehand. It was felt that Alex worked very hard and had improved so much that he deserved his medal.

“It was a great social evening,” says Fiona Reilly PRO, “it was lovely for the families to hear their children’s progress and to get together in such a relaxed atmosphere. “ Tea and cakes were served afterwards to all who attended, organised by some of the ladies on the committee.

Ardee Band takes home three trophies from National Band Championships

On Saturday last 9^th of April, two coaches transported the 80 members of Ardee Concert Youth Band and Ardee Concert Senior Band plus supporters to the Helix in Dublin for the National Band Championships. After the success of both bands last year in Limerick, it was a hard act to follow.

The 35 strong Youth Band took first place again in Section 4 Concert under the baton of John Gaynor, their conductor. This was an amazing feat as ten members of last year’s youth band were promoted into the senior band.  For some of the young people playing yesterday, this was their first ever competition, namely, Sarah Woods and Brendan Leacy on clarinet, Roisin Englishby on euphonium, Aoife O’Malley, Ellen Rooney and Carol Plunkett on alto saxophone, Niamh Dunleavy and Rebecca Byrne on flute and Deirdre Walsh and Ciara Matthews on Trumpet.  For their piece of own choice the Youth Band performed Colours of the Wind from the Disney movie Pocahontas by Alan Menken. Their test piece was The Piper of Brafferton by Fergal Carroll.

There were six bands in this Section 4, five of whom were from Dublin, namely  Knocklyon, Templeogue, Rathfarnham, Finglas and Tallaght. Ardee Concert Youth Band received 131 marks out of a possible 150 for their performances. In 2^nd place was Finglas Concert & Marching Band with 130 marks and 3^rd were Rathfarnham Concert Band with 129 marks. The adjudicator, Stephen Cairns from Belfast, commented on the Ardee performance that the balance and blend of the band’s sound was very good.

The 45 member senior band was entered in the Section 2 Concert. They won the top prize for the Own Choice piece, Legend of a Mountain by Jacob de Haan, a very descriptive piece, full of colour and contrasts, they received 46 marks out of 50 for this piece. 

For their test piece, Partita by Edward Gregson, they got 88 marks out of 100 so they received a total mark of 134 out of a possible 150. Boherboy Brass and Reed Band from Limerick got a total of 135 and pipped Ardee for the Test Piece trophy and overall first prize in the section.

It was a long but very rewarding day for all. For anyone attending this event it was a wonderful days music. Banding is alive and well in Ireland. All credit to the executive committee of the Irish Association of Brass and Concert bands who did a wonderful job, ably assisted by the staff of the Helix.

Ardee Band scoop all but one prize in Regional Ensemble Competition

On Sunday 20^th February, the Bohemian Centre Ardee was abuzz with musicians young and old as Ardee Concert Band hosted the Annual Ensemble Competition for the North East Region of the Irish Association of Brass & Concert Bands. Eighteen ensembles comprising a total of 70 musicians took part from Navan Silver Band, Mullingar Town Band, St Mary’s Brass & Reed Band, Kingscourt, Drogheda Brass Band and Ardee Concert Band.  The adjudicator for the day was John Bonner, a renowned teacher, adjudicator, conductor and musician from Arklow.

There were three sections, Under 14, Under 18 and Open. Ardee Concert Band scooped all places other than first place in the Open Section, which was won by a tuba quartet from Drogheda Brass Band of Michael Plunket, Mark Nutley, Terry Heeney and Darren Walsh. Second place in this section went to a ten-piece group from Ardee of John Gaynor, Dermot Murray, Peter McKeever and Emma Leigh Meegan on Trumpet, Vincent McArdle and Fiona Reilly on French Horn, Oisin Clarke, Kevin Reilly and Andrew Coyle on Trombone and James Walsh on Tuba. Third prize went to a quintet from Ardee of John Gaynor, Dermot Murray, Vincent McArdle, Andrew Coyle and Kevin Reilly. In the Under 18 section there was a low entry so there was only first prize which was awarded to a flute duet from Ardee of Sarah Clare and Joseph Halpin.

The star performer of the day was Cathal Flanagan from Ardee who took part in three different groups and was awarded 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd places for his efforts respectfully. First prize in the Under 14 Section went to Cathal and Emer Maguire and Brendan Leacy, 2^nd prize went to Cathal and Ciara O’Callaghan and Niamh McCormack, and 3^rd prize went to Cathal and Emer Maguire and Emer Brennan. Cathal comes from a long line of Flanagan clarinettists, which includes proud dad Terry and uncle, Tony, his tutor watching on.

Annual General Meeting

Ardee Concert Band had a busy week as yet again the bandroom was buzzing on Monday night 21st for their AGM. The meeting was well attended by members, interested parents, relatives and friends. Chairperson, Austin Nevin, thanked everyone who supported the band throughout 2010, the people of Ardee and surrounding area, the business people, and especially those who attend the Sunday night Bingo. He had a special word of thanks for band members Dermot Murray, Niall Doherty, Jenny McKeever and Fiona Reilly as they had formed a sub-committee to organise special events to celebrate the bands 150th year. Throughout 2010, they organised the band’s very successful trip to Prague, the Band Festival on 1^st August and the celebratory dinner dance in Darver Castle. Austin also thanked all those who help at bingo, all the tutors and the outgoing committee.

Austin was duly re-elected to his position as chairperson and indeed all the officers were re-elected to their positions, which are as follows Dermot Murray Secretary, Peter McKeever Treasurer and Jen McKeever Vice Chairperson. The 2010 committee also stayed in situ with 4 new members, Loraine Walsh, Sheila Mathews, James Gargan and Mark McLoughlin.

Future Engagements

The band already have a busy schedule with St Patrick’s Day Mass for deceased members, St Patrick’s Day Parade, church gate collection, and the National Band Championships in The Helix on Saturday, April 9^th where both the senior and youth bands hope to compete.

Updated 31/01/2011

Band Bash Great Success.

On Saturday night last, Ardee Concert Band celebrated their 150^th year in style. The venue was the fabulous Darver Castle where the management and staff expertly put up a meal that was second to none. It was a night to remember for present and past members, their families, friends and supporters.

Those attending were treated to a photographic trip down memory lane, which travelled right up to the present day. This powerpoint production lasting an hour and a half was continuously running in the back round for those interested in watching. This slide show was masterfully produced and executed by band members John Gaynor and Peter McKeever.

Band Chairman Austin Nevin praised the organising committee members, Dermot Murray, Jen McKeever, Niall Doherty and Fiona Reilly, not just for the dinner dance but all their efforts over the celebratory year especially the trip to Prague. Austin welcomed everyone as “one big happy band family”. On behalf of the organising committee Dermot Murray Hon Sec complemented the management and staff of Darver Castle and thanked everyone for coming. The Glen Miller Legacy headed up by band member Nicky Callan provided the Music for the night. “All in all it was a fitting and wonderful end to an important year for the band” says Fiona Reilly PRO.

Regional Solo Competitions

On Sunday last 30^th January, many band members performed in the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands North East Region Solo Competitions. Ardee Concert Band hosted these in the Bohemian Centre Ardee. This was a busy afternoon of music with competitors ranging in age from nine years up to adulthood. The adjudicator for the day was Brian Daly from Dublin. Brian is conductor of Steadfast Brass Band and is the administrator and musical director of the performance course in the Liberties College Dublin. He is also a freelance French player with the National Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra and Opera theatre Company.

The three local bands were well represented and it was a great afternoon of music. There were four sections, under twelve, under fifteen, under eighteen and open section. Brian complemented all the participants and the bands for encouraging their members and commented on the high standard. Kevin Reilly, representing the North Eastern Branch of the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands expressed thanks to Brian Daly and praised all involved, in particular, the committee and members of Ardee Concert Band for hosting the competitions.

The winners were as follows.

Under twelve:

1^st:   Roisin Englishby Ardee Concert Band

2^nd:  Ailish Newton Drogheda brass Band

3^rd:  Hannah Carter Lourdes Brass Band

Under Fifteen:

1^st Cathal Flanagan Ardee Concert Band

2^nd: Robert Finegan Ardee Concert Band

3^rd: Grace English Drogheda Brass Band

Under Eighteen:

1^st Cormac Black Lourdes Brass Band

2^nd: Sean O’Brien Ardee Concert Band

3^rd Ciara Cousins Ardee Concert Band

Open Section

1^st: Stephen Murray Drogheda Brass Band

2^nd: Mark Nutley Drogheda Brass Band

3^rd Alan Cox Ardee Concert Band

29^th Annual Christmas Concert – a walk down memory lane.

Ardee Concert Band have just performed their Annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday night last, 14^th December to a packed audience, which consisted of parents, relatives, friends and supporters. Everyone left with the usual feel-good factor, which was enhanced by the photographic trip down memory lane narrated beautifully by band treasurer Peter McKeever. The concert featured the 40-strong Recorder Group, some of whom are only learning since September last. The Recorder Group was conducted by their tutors, Sean O Brien and Gerry Farrell. They played three numbers Chicken Noodle Cha-Cha, Good Old Duke of York and Jingle Bells.

The festive feel was continued by the Ardee Concert Youth Band conducted by John Gaynor with their rendition of A Shepherds Carol. They also performed other numbers which included Mambo No.5 and The Best of Queen. The final section of the concert was the Senior Band conducted by Harry Kelly. There were two highlights for the Senior Bands performance, one was The Snowman (Walking In The Air) with soloist Emer Brennan from the Youth Band and the second was the first ever performance of Celebratory Fanfare written by Paul O Brien in dedication to the band in their 150^th year. This composition has strains of many influential tunes in the bands year with a little hint of the Turfman from Ardee for good measure. The Sean Mathews Memorial Trophy for the most improved player this year was presented by Harry Kelly to Sean O Brien. There was the usual audience participation singing and a cup of tea for those who wanted it afterwards.

The band also performed at the local parish Carol Service on Sunday evening the 19^th December alongside the folk group and the liturgical choir and pupils from the local schools.

Many band members gave up their time to perform carols on the street and in Moorehall Lodge on Christmas Eve.

Their final performance of the season was at 12.30pm Mass on Christmas Day in Ardee and this was a very special occasion as the band was conducted in public for the very first time by John Gaynor and he did an excellent job. 

Just a note for those who purchased tickets to the 150^th Dinner Dance, which was due to be held on December 4^th , this has been re-scheduled for January 29^th in Darver Castle.

29^th Annual Christmas Concert For Ardee Band.

 It’s that time of year again when Ardee Concert Band host their Annual Christmas Concert. For many locals this is the start of their Christmas celebrations. The concert this year is on Tuesday 14^th of December and will have a slightly different flavour.  The Band wants to celebrate the culmination of their 150^th year. Throughout the night there will be some musical references to the past. This is not only to honour those musicians and committee members who kept it all going and formed the foundation for the wonderful band that is there today, but to celebrate their lives and dedication. There will be the usual Christmas favourites, which is the tradition.

 This year, all of the entertainment will be provided from within the ranks of the band. The concert will feature the Recorder Group, which will be conducted alternatively by tutors Sean O Brien and Gerry Farrell. Also featured is the Ardee Youth Band conducted by John Gaynor. There will be roughly 140 local musicians in total performing on the night. As usual, conductor Harry Kelly will award the Sean Mathews Memorial Trophy to one member of the Senior Band, last years winner was Samantha Connolly. This is usually given to the person whom Harry deems has improved musically and shows dedication to the band etc.

 The Band unfortunately had to postpone their 150^th Anniversary Dinner Dance in Darver Castle on December 4^th due to the bad weather. It is hoped to reorganise a date some time in January. Everyone who purchased tickets is requested to hold on to them until further notice.

 The band will perform in a concert in Clane on Sunday 12^th   of December  at 3.30pm. The Ardee Parish Carol Service is on Sunday 19^th at 7pm and hopefully you will see some members out playing carols on the town on the run up to Christmas. A very important tradition for the band is playing at Mass on Christmas Day, which will take place at the changed time of 12.30pm.

Updated 29/11/2010

Band collect Turner Cup.

On Saturday last the 27^th of November, five members of Ardee Concert Band braved the snow to travel to Ballynahinch near Belfast to collect the “Turner Cup”, which they won in the North of Ireland Band Championships on October 16^th last. Band chairman Austin Nevin was accompanied by vice chair Jenny McKeever, Treasurer Peter McKeever, PRO Fiona Reilly and Kevin Reilly. The presentation was made by president Margaret Campbell during the annual Dinner Dance of the North Of Ireland Band Association. This is the second year in a row that the Ardee Concert Band has achieved this accolade, they also won in previous years. The band members were also presented with medals for the 53 members who performed in the competition. As in previous years, they band members were singled out with an extra special welcome for travelling such a distance.

The Band have a very busy run into Christmas. On Saturday next, they have a special dinner dance to celebrate their 150^th anniversary. This is the last call for tickets. Many members past and present will be attending along with supporters, relatives and friends, it promises to be a great night with a bit of nostalgia with a photographic trip down memory lane. Tickets, which are at a competitive price, are available from Secretary Dermot Murray 087.9917316. This is the culmination of a year of celebrations organised by the 150^th Anniversary sub committee Jen McKeever, Dermot Murray, Niall Doherty and Fiona Reilly.

 Another date for the diaries is the band’s Annual Concert which takes place on Tuesday 14^th December, as usual there will be music from all genres and plenty of tunes and festive fun. The compere for this year is band member Alan Kelly.  The band members will provide all the entertainment this year. This concert is always very well supported as many Ardonians and locals see this as the beginning of their Christmas celebrations.

 The band are also performing in a concert in Clane, Co Kildare on Sunday 12^th  , the Ardee Carol Service on 19^th in the local church, 12.30 Mass on Christmas Day and you may see and hear them on the streets and in Moore Hall Lodge on Christmas Eve. For some members the Christmas season has already started when they provided the entertainment for Santa’s arrival to turn on the lights on Friday last 26^th .  The musicians were Aisling Reilly, Jenny McKeever, Tony Flanagan and Samantha Connolly on clarinet, John Gaynor, Dermot Murray and Peter McKeever on trumpet. Vincent McArdle and Fiona Reilly on french horn. Adam Byrne and Sean O’Brien on  saxophone, Kevin Reilly on euphonium and James Walsh on tuba.

Updated 20/10/2010

150th Celebratory Bash for Ardee Band

This 150^th year in the long history of Ardee Concert Band is proving to be one of the busiest for the band.  As the year is drawing to a close and we look forward to our annual Christmas concert, which this year is on Tuesday 14^th December 2010, the band decided to host a Dinner Dance to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the foundation of the band.  This event will be held on Saturday December 4^th in Darver Castle. The band members hope supporters and family will join them to celebrate this momentous event. The dinner dance is open to past members who want a little trip down memory lane. The tickets are keenly priced at 25 euro. The cost has been kept to a minimum with the band subsidising the event. There will be a four-course meal and music by the Glen Miller Legacy. There are only 300 tickets on sale so first come first serve. Tickets for the Dinner Dance are available from any band member.

The senior band headed off to Armagh on Saturday last for the North of Ireland Band Championships. They performed two choice pieces Virginia by Jacob De Haan and Festivo by Alfred Reid. The biggest ever band performed on stage with 53 members. It was the first competitive outing with the senior band for the eleven new members who were promoted from the Youth Band earlier this year, they are Emily Cox,  Joseph Halpin and Fern Mc Carron on Flute, Ciara O Callaghan, Niamh McCormack, Mark Gilmore and Ciaran Mc Laughlin on Clarinet, Robert Finegan, Daren Kirk and Liam Taaffe on Saxophone and Sean Clare on Euphonium.  The band were awarded 1^st place with a mark of 89 out of a possible 100.  The band’s performances can be viewed on uTube

Meanwhile its business as usual in the Bohemian Centre as this is the beginning of our year in the School of Music, the Bohemian has been a hive of activity. On September 15^th an open night was held from which we enrolled 28 new members to learn recorder. This year’s recorder classes are being taught by band members Gerry Farrell and Sean O Brien. This is the first time the boys have taught our recorder groups, it is great to see the younger band member’s volunteering to pass on their skills.

A night was held for last year’s recorder class to have a blow through on band instruments to help them decide which instruments they were best suited to. The outcome of this is that five started on trumpet with teacher Dermot Murray (band secretary), six started on saxophone with teacher Alan Cox, three started on clarinet with Tony Flanagan, one on Euphonium with Kevin Reilly, one on percussion with Paul O’Brien and two on French Horn with Vincent McArdle. The other lessons continue with the older children with teachers Susan Connolly (Flute), Laura Jones (Saxophone), Oisin Clarke (Trombone) and John Gaynor (Trumpet) and some of the others previously mentioned teaching higher grades. The band room is in use most nights and all day Saturday. “Our forbears would be very proud of us,” says Fiona Reilly PRO.

Musket firing and stirring music was the order of the day on Saturday last the 21^st of August when Ardee Concert Band and the muskets of the Bellew Regiment got together to perform the final stages of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with accompanying musket fire to replicate the canons used in the original performance of this great piece of music.

This was performed at the request of Brian Bellew  and it was so successful that it was performed twice! The setting was the beautiful lawns of Barmeath Castle where the band gave a recital at a garden party hosted by the Bellew Family to raise much needed funds for the restoration of the church organ in the Church of Ireland in Dunleer.

This was a very special day for nine of Ardee Concert Band’s newest recruits. The young musician’s namely Daren Kirk, Fern McCarron, Joseph Halpin, Emily Cox, Mark Gilmore, Ciaran McLoughlin, Ciara O Callaghan, Niamh McCormack, and Sean Clare will always remember their first public performance with the senior band as it went with a BANG!!!

As part of the afternoon’s entertainment there was a display of firearms by the  members of the Bellew Regiment who re-enact battles of the Willamitte / Jacobite era of Irish history, some of them dressed in the Bellew Regiment uniform of the time.

The band played a variety of music to entertain the large audience. The weather held up well despite the short shower, which stopped the recital for a short while. Everyone had afternoon tea on the lawns and guided tours of the beautiful gardens were ongoing, all in all it was a great day for all concerned.

The bands next outing will be on Sunday next 28^th of August from 2-4pm in Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, a very prestigious venue and a favourite of the band members.

- New Bandstand Christened on Ardee’s Fairgreen

At long last, Ardee finally got a Bandstand, albeit, a temporary one provided by the Ardee Turfman Festival committee. On Sunday last, August 1^st 2010, it was a sight to behold to see such crowds on the Fairgreen with gazebos, bouncy castles and Boy Scout tents. This was complemented by the entertaining music provided by bands from the North East Region who christened the bandstand in style. The bands were in Ardee as invited guests of Ardee Concert Band who hosted a Band Festival as part of their 150^th  celebrations.

The afternoon’s music kicked off at 2pm with a performance by the Ardee Youth Band conducted by John Gaynor. This is a 45 strong group of Ardee Concert Band members aged between ten and fourteen years who have been learning instruments for approximately two years and would hope one day to progress into the senior band. For eleven of this group, Sunday was their last performance with the Youth Band as their next one will be with the Senior band. The Ardee Concert Band is very proud of its Youth Band who currently hold a national title as winners of Section 4 (Junior bands) of the National Band Championships, which they won at the University of Limerick Concert Hall earlier this year.

St Mary’s Brass and Reed Band from Kingscourt were second to perform and even though they had several members away on holidays, they were ably substituted by some members of Ardee. The Kingscourt band recently performed very successfully at the South of Ireland Band Championships in Clonakilty. They played a very entertaining programme and were conducted by Sean Brennan.

Drogheda was well represented by both the Lourdes Brass Band and the Drogheda Brass Band. The Lourdes band, who hosted last years Band Festival as it was their 50^th celebrations, were conducted by Harry Kelly. The Lourdes Band members always enjoy their trips to Ardee, as they are frequent performers in the Ardee St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Drogheda Brass Band performed 4^th and they were conducted by guest conductor James McCafferty as their usual conductor was on holidays. This shows the lengths that the bands will go to support one another and the great comradely between them. Drogheda Brass Band played a varied programme with several soloists taking the stand.

The final band to perform was the hosts, Ardee Concert Band conducted by Harry Kelly. The band’s programme was light and entertaining including some of the pieces they performed on their recent trip to Prague. One of the most popular pieces of the afternoon was “The Galway Girl” arranged by band member Paul O’Brien. There was plenty of hand clapping and audience participation throughout the whole afternoon and despite the slight shower early in the proceedings, the weather was lovely and the audience, which was very large, stayed for the whole three-hour show.

A band festival wouldn’t be a band festival without the culmination of all the bands in a massed band parade. It was a wonderful sight to see all the bands, over 100 musicians, playing together through the main street led by the two members of the Garda Mounted Unit followed by Ardee band member Peter McKeever who was acting Staff Major for the day and a colour party of flags. The sound of the massed band reverberated up the town, which drew many people out to hear them. The bands did a counter march outside the castle and returned to the Fairgreen to disband.  Ardee Concert Band provided refreshments for those taking part in the Band Festival and their supporters. The tea ladies were members of the committee and some parents who were on their feet all afternoon and did a wonderful job. Ardee band members donated most of the food, which was scrumptious. The visiting bands were presented with glass plaques as a memento of their day and the 150^th celebration, by chairman Austin Nevin. The proceedings were announced by Master of Ceremonies for the day Paddy Ward able assisted by John Nevin on sound.  All in all it was a fantastic success, which complemented the Turfman Festival, and the Bandstand was well and truly christened.

 Future Engagements in August 2010

Ardee Concert Band is taking a short break but not for long as they are performing at a Garden Party in Barmeath Castle on the 21^st of August and in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park on the 29^th , both very prestigious engagements. “Ardee Concert Band would like to thank all those who helped in any way at their Band Festival” says PRO Fiona Reilly, “especially the visiting bands and the audience”. A special mention to those who help at the band’s weekly bingo, as they had to be at the Bohemian for the special “Festival Bingo” on Sunday evening, now there’s dedication!

On Sunday August 1^st , Ardee will be a busy town as Turfman Festival activities are going on and as part of this, there will be Band Festival at the Fairgreen. The local Ardee Concert Band is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary this year. As part of these celebrations the band decided to host the regional Band Festival. The regional Band Festival goes around the different bands in the North East Region. Last year the Lourdes Brass Band in Drogheda hosted the Band Festival as they celebrated 50th years, a mere baby compared with the Ardee veterans. The Band Festival usually involves a number of other bands from the area coming together to perform individually and together. Ardee Band hopes this festival will complement the Turfman Festival and enhance it.

The Band Festival is due to kick off down at the Fairgreen at 2pm. There will be five bands involved in this year’s festival and each of the bands will give light entertaining recitals. The Turfman Festival committee are providing a stage which hopefully will become a permanent feature of the Fairgreen for band recitals and other entertainment.

The first band to start the afternoon’s proceedings with a 20-minute performance is the Ardee Youth Band conducted by John Gaynor. This group consists of 45 young members of Ardee Concert Band, all between the ages of 10 and 14 years. In April 2010, this group had fantastic success when they took 1^st prize in Section 4 of the National Band Championships held in the University of Limerick Concert Hall.

The second band will be our neighbours, St Mary’s Brass and Reed Band from Kingscourt, conducted by Sean Brennan. They recently performed very successfully in the South Of Ireland Band Championships held in Clonakilty.

Thirdly, there will be a performance by the Lourdes Brass Band from Drogheda, conducted by Harry Kelly, who recently took overall 3^rd prize in the South Of Ireland Band Championships. They will be followed by the Drogheda Brass Band conducted by James McCafferty who are current holders of the top prizes in the National Band Championships held in Limerick earlier this year.

The hosts Ardee Concert Band conducted by Harry Kelly will perform the finale. Ardee are the current holders of a number of national titles won at the National Band Championships in Limerick and at the North of Ireland Band Championships held in Armagh and they will bring the recitals to a resounding close at about 5pm.

The highlight of any Band Festival is the Massed Band Parade where all of the bands come together into one big band to parade through the streets. The bands will play several well-known marches. The massed band parade is due to start from the Fairgreen at 5.15pm approx.

As there will be lots of other activities around the town and particularly in the Fairgreen, the bands hope to have good audiences, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Admission is free and all are welcome