Latest News 2019 Updated 30/12/2019
WEEKLY BAND BINGO
Our weekly Sunday night Bingo continues this sunday night at 8pm in the Bohemian Centre.
We wish all our members and supporters the very best for 2020. We are looking forward to all that is to come.
Our weekly bingo continues on Sunday 5th January with a jackpot of €3,100.
Annual Christmas Concert
Ardee Concert Band had a fabulous night on Friday December 13th. It may be unlucky for some but without a doubt it was a day for celebration here in the bandrooms of the Bohemian Centre.
We had plenty to celebrate throughout the night with over 130 musicians taking to the Bohemian Centre Stage throughout the festive music making night.
Our National Title winning Senior band were 1st to the stage under the Baton of Newly appointed conductor Ronan O’Reilly for a taster of what was to come later on in the night. Jenny Satelle , a member of the senior band directed the Recorder group through 2 pieces only 3 months after they joined the band and began learning how to read music and play their instrument. “Well done to Jenny and her little troop, they done themselves, the band and their families proud”, said Pro Sinead Nutley.
Next the Junior band who again have only been in a band setting for 3 months gave an outstanding performance with their conductor and senior band member Jane Healy.
Our Ardee Intermezzo Ensemble gave a finale performance to the 1st half of the show with Kevin Reilly at the helm. They gave a tremendous performance for which a standing ovation followed and rightly so.
Our senior band once again took to the stage for the second half of the show. We had everyone in the 400 seats singing and clapping throughout their performance. By the end of the night the band along with Ronan had them on their feet and dancing out the action to The twelve days of Christmas. After a standing ovation the band played the audience out to the festive favourite Sleigh ride by Leroy Anderson. Everyone left the Bohemian Centre with a smile on the face and a beat at the feet.
Thanks to all for coming and supporting us as always. Thanks to all our helpers on all sides of the concert. Well done to Dara Reilly receiving her New Art set for winning the christmas poster competition.
Many acalades were presented on the night for determination, Hard work, improvement and dedication.
Congratulations to Holly Caraher on receiving the award for most improved members of the Junior Band, to Aoibheann Murray on most improved youth member in the Intermezzo Ensemble receiving the Stephen Lynch Perpetual Trophy. To Roisin Brennan; Well done on receiving the Sean Matthews Award for most improved senior band member & to Jenny Mckeever and Sinéad Nutley on 21 years of Membership.
Last and most definitely not least the final acalades of the night went to Kevin Reilly and Peter Mckeever. They both received Honorary Lifetime Membership for all their Hard work and dedication to the Band with over 100 years membership between both of them!
You will be able to catch these talented musicians at the Ardee Parish Carol Service on sunday 22nd December in Ardee Church at 7pm and again on Christmas Day at 12.30pm mass. They will also be playing carols on Christmas eve at various locations in Ardee.
Christmas Concert Ticket On Sale Now!
They’re here folks!???
Our Annual Christmas Concert Tickets are on sale and available from all members and committee members NOW!
GET YOURS BEFORE THEYRE GONE!
??????This is the event that starts every Ardonians christmas season. Whether it be: all the shopping is done and now its time to sit back and relax and enjoy the run up to christmas or it’s the time to get started. Whatever it is Ardee Concert Band will send you and yours well and truly on your way in musical Festive Christmas spirit. ??????
Female Conductor Programme for 2019-2020
Congratulations to Emily Cox who is one of the twelve participants in the Female Conductor Programme for 2019-2020 which is run by the National Concert Hall supported by Grant Thornton Ireland and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.
Pictured are the Artistic Director of the programme Alice Farnham, Partner at Grant Thornton, Paul Jacobs. Emily will attend alongside Áine Gell, Amy Ryan, Margaret Bridge, Celine Leong, Dara Pender, Siobhán O’Donnell, Síofra Ní Dhughbhaill, Muireann Ní Dhubhghaill, Mary Walsh, Tamasine Plowman and Meadhbh Campbell .
The 12-month programme, which starts this weekend, is designed to provide expertise and hands-on practical experience on preparing and interpreting musical scores, leading rehearsals, practical conducting sessions, career advice, shadowing opportunities as well as a showcase concert with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, September 2020.
North of Ireland Band Association Championships
Best wishes to our Ardee concert senior band and their conductor Ronan O’Reilly who are taking part in the north of Ireland band championships today in armagh. Best of luck from all the committee we will be rooting you all on today Saturday 19th October 2019 ??
Results:
We came 2nd today, we’re so proud of our performance with 182 points out of a possible 200 from the days adjudicator Alan Fernie.
Congratulations & well done to the NI concert band on placing 1st with 187 points.
We also send our congratulations to St Mary’s Brass and Reed Youth Band from Kingscourt who won first place at the North of Ireland Band Championships on Saturday in Grade 4. This is the second year in a row their band have secured this title.
Busy September weekend for Ardee Concert Band
We’ve had a very busy weekend here with the organisation here that is Ardee Concert Band.
On friday last 20th September our Ardee Concert Band intermezzo Ensemble kicked started the weekend in Ardee Library as part of culture night to a very adhering crowd who enjoyed their performance immensely.
Ardee Intermezzo Ensemble in Ardee Library as part of Culture Night.
Next up was our award winning national champion Senior concert Band. They took part in the fundraising concert conducted by Brendan Breslin playing last Saturday night on September 21st, in aid of the Charity “Odie Wants To Walk” in St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Drogheda. Thank you to the Royal Meath Accordion Orchestra for inviting us to take part in such a musical event.
Ardee concert Band under Brendan Breslin at Fundraising Concert.
On sunday our Senior band were out in force again this time closer to home in Malone Fuels newly renovated premises on the Tallknstown road in Ardee. The band enjoyed playing at the opening family day themed event with James Maccafferty holding the Baton.
Ardee concert senior band under cover at the opening of malone fuels depot in Ardee.
Weekly Band Bingo
Our weekly Sunday night Bingo jackpot is now 6,300 next sunday night from 8pm June 16th in the Bohemian Centre.
Awards night 2019
We had a great evening at our awards night were members of our recorder group, training band, Intermetzo Ensemble and Senior Band received their awards for assessments andfor their grade exams.
We had wonderful performances from each group. Pictured below the Ardee Concert Training Band with their conductor Jayne Healy at our Awards Night and the Ardee Intermetzo Ensemble.
Co. Louth Agricultural Show Bellurgan Park
On Sunday 9th all roads led to Bellurgan park for this year’s Co.Louth Agricultural Show.
Both our Senior band and Intermetzo Ensemble had a great day yesterday both shading from the sun and under cover from the rain! … only in Ireland at an Agricultral Show would you get it ? ?⛱?☔
Senior Band
Happy Feet for Sophia Fundraising Concert with The Garda Band
We had a Great night on May 23rd at our Fundraising Joint Concert alongside the Band of An Garda Siobhana for Happy Feet for Sophia. A night full of music and dancing for a fabulous little girl who loves music herself.
Thanks to all who helped and contributed on the night it went without a hitch and what a pleasure it was to play alongside such a band as the Garda band and in our own Hall too!
More info on Happy feet for Sophia available here HAPPY FEET FOR SOPHIA DONATION PAGE
Presentation to Happy Feet For Sophia
It was with great pleasure last night, June 14th that we got to present Gerry Griffin, father of Sophia, with a cheque for €5,000 towards their fundraising to help get Sophia to the U.S for Treatment. This Donation is from the proceeds of our recent joint concert & raffle with the Band of An Garda Siochana here in the Bohemian Centre on May 23rd.
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National Glory section 1 Winners 2019
Ardee Concert Senior Band excelled at the IABCB National Band Championships of Ireland in Artane last saturday afternoon April 12th in the bandhall of the Artane Band! What a day it was for us; a local community band from little old Ardee!
Under the baton of Mr. James MacCafferty, We took home 1st prize with 190 points out of a possible 200 in Section 1 as awarded by adjudicator Mr. Alan Morrison. We were also awarded Best Supporting Section for our percussion and Best Instrumentalist to our Principal French Horn Player Vincent Mcardle.
The bands Own choice piece “Godzilla eats Las Vegas” brought Alan to a standstil as he mentioned in his remakes as “he had to stop writing incase he missed something!”. The piece tells the story of godzilla making his way down the las vegas strip on a bright and sunny day. Godzilla appears, tourists scream, and the band calls for Godzilla to Mambo.
Godzilla demolishes everything in his path, cars, buildings, he even stomps a tiny terrier and then various celebrities, as Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton and Liberace.
An army of Elvises (Elvi) appear in the distance, marching through the littered streets. The Elvi attack using bombers and missiles. The Sphinx sits outside The Luxor and seduces Godzilla who instantly falls in love and begins to tango with her.
As they dance, the Elvi slowly regroup and launch a ferocious volley of cannonballs directly at him.The cannonballs find their mark, and Godzilla falls to the ground, annihilated. The Elvi are triumphant! The lounge opens again, and the city of Las Vegas toasts the victory. The scene climaxes with people happy, tearful, and merry. But Then, a dark, ominous, and very familiar sound…Godzilla lives! Godzilla lives!
In a very different second performance our Test Piece “A movement for Rosa”, told the emotional, moving story written to honor Rosa Parks, whose contribution to desegregation still stands today. Not only are strength and determination depicted in this piece, but also the harsh realities of the times. We kept Alan engaged in this emotional piece until the very last moment.
Both YouTube links to the competition pieces can be found on our band Facebook page and below!
Next stop Bruges on June 27th when we bring Ardee to the international scene once again! ?????
Ardee Concert Band Win IABCB NATIONAL championships – YOUTUBE LINKS
GODZILLA EATS LAS VEGAS Own Choice Piece
Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!
Before you listen to this piece, please take a moment to read this short description which will make sense of what you hear.
The piece opens on a bright and sunny day in Las Vegas with the show band kicking off in high gear but then, a lone piccolo ushers the arrival of something very bad on the famous Vegas strip.
Back to the band and a relaxed rhumba. Then Morse Code signals approaching doom. The house band finishes their set and heads for the bar.
Godzilla appears, tourists scream, and the band calls for Godzilla to Mambo.
He then demolishes everything in his path, cars, buildings, he even stomps a tiny terrier and then various celebrities, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton and Liberace.
An army of Elvises (Elvi) appear in the distance, marching through the littered streets. The Elvi attack using bombers and missiles. The Sphinx sits outside The Luxor hotel and seduces Godzilla who instantly falls in love and begins to tango with her.
As they dance, the Elvi slowly regroup and launch a ferocious volley of cannonballs directly at him.
The cannonballs find their mark, and Godzilla falls to the ground, annihilated. The Elvi are triumphant!
The lounge is open again, and the city of Las Vegas toasts the victory. The scene climaxes with people happy, tearful, and merry.
Then, a dark, ominous, and very familiar sound…….…Godzilla lives! Godzilla lives!
The Show is over
A Movement for Rosa Test Piece
A movement for Rosa”, told the emotional, moving story written to honor Rosa Parks, whose contribution to desegregation still stands today. Not only are strength and determination depicted in this piece, but also the harsh realities of the times. The band kept Alan engaged in this emotional piece until the very last moment.
Ardee Band Feis Entries
It’s a busy week in the Bandrooms of Ardee Concert Band as both the Ardee Concert senior band and the Ardee Intermetzo ensemble prepare to take part in their respective sections on this coming Sat April 13th in The Artane School of Music, Dublin home to the famous Artane Band.
Amongst the busy rehearsals for this years national competitions, there are 4 Ardee Senior Band youth members performing at this year’s Feis Ceoil in the RDS, Dublin on Tuesday April 9th and Wednesday April 10th.
Under tuition from Robert Finegan, Ardee senior band member, Yanagisawa and Vandoren Artist and Technological University Dublin student; Emma Gorman, Ryan Carroll, Roisin Brennan and Óisin Mulryne will all take to the RDS stage over the two days.
Ryan Carroll will be first to take to the stage and he is receiving tuition under Robert for grade 7 in Saxophone. He is a TY student, playing in the Junior saxophone competition on Tuesday 9th April. He will perform 2 test pieces; End of a perfect day
And Paradise ballroom
Emma Gorman is taking grade 7 this year with Paul Roe in Technological University Dublin, formely known as DIT, in its Conservatory of Music as part of a Music Excellence Course for Transition year Students. Emma is playing in the Junior clarinet competition on Wednesday 10th April and her 2 test pieces are Do you know the way to San Jose and La Cumparsita
Roisin is doing grade 6 this year again with Robert, she is studying for her Junior Certificate, playing in Junior clarinet competition on Wednesday 10th April. Her 2 test pieces are; Do you know the way to San Jose & La Cumparsita
Oisin Mulryne is taking grade 6 this year with Robert as tutor and he is a 2nd year student, playing in the Junior clarinet competition on Wednesday 10th April. Óisins 2 test pieces are; Do you know the way to San Jose and La Cumparsita
Taking part in competitions of such a high standard gives each member a chance to perform for a crowd and for a renowned woodwind adjudicator. The adjudicator gives feedback which is priceless for the development of young musicians. It also gives them experience of public performance and meeting and hearing other students of the same age from all around Ireland. “This, in my opinion, is extremely important for young developing musicians”, said Robert Finegan.
“The committee and all members of Ardee Concert Band wish all 4 members the very best of luck on their performance”, said Band PRO Sinead Nutley.
When Ardee and New York meet in Dublin!
Our senior Band had a fantastic night on Tuesday night last, Feb 19th in the famous Mahony Hall of the Helix Theatre, DCU Campus, Dublin with the Scarsdale High School wind ensemble from New York, U.S.A.
After the Scarsdale HS symphonic Band took to the stage to perform their programme the band took to the stage next with their programme opening with some of the well known hits from The Jersey Boys, Encanto, a compelling overture, Africa arranged by Jerry Davis and performed originally by TOTO, finishing of the set with an arrangement of The Greatest Showman went down a treat with the theatre audience. We received a standing ovation from the Audience after they concluded their spot under the Direction of our MD Mr. James MacCafferty.
Following Ardee’s performance, the US Side took to stage once again with their second ensemble of the evening in the Scarsdale HS Wind Ensemble. During their set the performed 3 pieces two of which were world premiers for the performance of these pieces.
The ever so Grand Finale comprised of over 100 musicians from both Ardee and the Scarsdale band combined to play two pieces. The section opened with the Ardee Conductor James MacCafferty conducting the Irish tune from county derry, popular among Irish People and well known throughout the world as The Londonderry Air. Jason Noble took to the conductors platform to direct the Final Piece Joy in All things by Brian Balmages which was A world premier once again in the performance of this piece. The audience gave a standing ovation for both bands after a marvelous night of entertainment.
Members of both bands throughout the night got the chance to mingle and everyone could have a chat away from the atmosphere between performances. The night will be treasured for many years to come by both sides as it was so very enjoyable and many lovely memories being taken home to share and cherish. “Many thanks to Celtic Horizons Tours and KI Concerts in their organisation of the event and towards both bands on the night!” Said PRO, Sinead Nutley.
Bingo
Our weekly Sunday night Band bingo continues this Sunday night, February 17th from 8pm in the Bohemian Centre. Our Jackpot now stands at €4,600 so why not come and bring the kids along as it’s Mid-Term Break all you need is a pen! ? ?️
Less than one week to go until our Joint Concert in the Helix
Less than a week to go and we are really looking forward to be performing a Joint concert alongside the Premier Scarsdale High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble, of New York, USA in THE Helix Mahony Theatre on Tuesday 19th February AT 8pm. Performing music from both American and Irish Heritage. Tickets available on the link below, Adults €10 and children €5, booking Fee applies.
Scarsdale HS Wind Ensemble
AGM Update
We had a great turnout for our AGM last Monday night at 8pm in our Bandroom on Ashwalk.
Our new 2019 Band Officers are;
Secretary (Joint); Tim Ocallaghan & Joanne Carroll
Chairperson; Deirdre McEneaney
Vice chairperson; Sarah Hearns
Treasurer; Peter McKeever
Many thanks to Kevin Reilly for his time as Chairman for 2018 and best wishes to Deirdre as she takes on the role for 2019!
Dates of Interest ?
- Annual General Meeting, February 11th @ 8pm in our Bandroom, Bohemian Centre, All Welcome ?
- Joint Concert with Scarsdale Symphonic Wind ensemble, of New York, USA in The Helix Theatre, February 19th, 8pm.
- ? Tickets Adult €10, Child €5 available on The Helix Website (Here) ?
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Ardee ?
- IABCB National Band Championships, Navan. April 13th & 14th ?
Senior Band Trip to Bruges, June 27th-30th incl. ??
- Our Bingo continues every Sunday night at 8pm in the Bohemian Centre, Ardee
Scarsdale High School Presents: Harmonic Bridges with Special guests Ardee Concert Band
Conductors: Jason Noble and James MacCafferty
The premier ensemble of Scarsdale High School (New York) will join with one of Ireland’s most successful concert bands, the Ardee Concert Band, in the Helix, on DCU Campus Dublin at 8pm for a night of music celebrating the great music of both countries. “Harmonic Bridges” will feature a number of world premiers by composers Julie Giroux, Patrick Burns, Kevin Sedatole, and Brian Balmages.