The Bohemian Centre Ardee, home of Ardee Concert Band, has been a hive of activity over the last few weeks and is set to continue for the immediate future. Next Saturday, the 7th of March, will hopefully be one of the highlights of 2009 for the band members and supporters as they welcome the Fermanagh Concert Band to the Deeside for a Joint Concert.
Ardee band have performed several Joint Concerts in the past, most recently with the Bailieborough School of Music Concert Band in May last year. As a result of the Peace and Reconciliation Grant received by the band to extend their premises in 2006, the band were encouraged to forge friendships with bands from Northern Ireland. The band have already had a joint concert in 2007 with the St Eugenes Concert Band from Omagh and Ardee returned to Omagh in November that year. This was a very positive experience for both bands and it is hoped to make similar friendships with the Fermanagh Band.
The concert will open with the Ardee Concert Junior Band under the baton of John Gaynor. Then followed by a short programme from the 45 member Recorder Group under Adam Byrne who in turn will be followed by the Senior Band conducted by Harry Kelly. Then it will be the turn of the guest band, Fermanagh Concert Band. The Grand Finale will be a programme of music with the combined Ardee and Fermanagh bands. The compere for the night will be local band member, Alan Kelly. Tickets for the concert, priced very reasonably at €5, can be purchased at the door on the night or from any band member. This promises to be a great nights entertainment.
St Patricks Day
The next big occasion for Ardee Concert Band will be St. Patricks Day when they play at 12pm Mass for deceased members and will lead the local parade at 3pm.
Bohemian Centre Events
Recent events held in the Bohemian Centre were Ensemble and Solo Competitions held on the 1st and 22nd of February and were organised by the North Eastern Region of the Irish Association of Brass & Concert Bands. On 18th February, a very successful play was performed by the Aclint Drama Group in aid of the Ardee Wheelchair Association. Ardee Credit Union recently held their annual Schools Quiz.
Ardee Concert Band AGM
Another recent event for Ardee Concert Band was their well-attended AGM, which was held in February. The band would like to thank those on the out-going committee for all their hard work, commitment and support over the past year and to welcome first-time committee members, Annamaria O Brien and Ciaran Cousins.
The chairmanship is in the capable hands of Austin Nevin, his vice-chair is Jen McKeever, the new secretary is Dermot Murray, and the treasurer is Peter McKeever.
Results of Solo and Ensemble Competitions
Congratulations go to the members of Ardee Concert Band who performed in the recent Solo & Ensemble Competitions held in Ardee. Special accolades go to the following musicians:-
Ensemble Results:
Under-14 Section:-
1st Ardee Concert Band (Niamh Mc Cormack, Cathal Flanagan, Mairia Conlan, Ciara O Callaghan) – Little Minuet (Merrill Knighton)
2nd Ardee Concert Band (Niamh McCormack, Cathal Flanagan, Mark Gilmore, Ciaran McLoughlin) – Little Minuet (Merrill Knighton)
3rd Ardee Concert Band (Rachel McCormack, Rachel Clerkin, Aine Clarke, Ciara Callan) – Song (Robert Dillon)
Under-18 Section
1st Ardee Concert Band (Adam Byrne, Sinead Nutley, Samantha Connolly, Rachel McCormack) – Minuetto (Ernst Schmidt)
2nd Ardee Concert Band (Adam Byrne, Sinead Nutley, Samantha Connolly) – Morning from Peer Gynt (Grieg)
Open Section 1st Ardee Concert Band (Tony Flanagan, Linda McCarron, Vincent McArdle) – Overture for 2 Clarinets & Horn (Handel)
2nd Drogheda Brass Band (Neal O Kennedy, Kirsty Kerr, Francis Daly, Barry Maher) – Pastoral Theme (Cyril Watters)
3rd Navan Silver Band (Lorraine O Brien, Heather Regan, Grainne McNally, Shane Smith) – Excerpts from Water Music (Handel)
Solo Results:
U-12 Section
1st:Sean Clare (Ardee Concert Band, euphonium)
2nd:Ciaran McLoughlin (Ardee Concert Band, clarinet)
3rd:Evan English (Drogheda Brass Band, cornet)
U-15 Section
1st:Ciara Cousins (Ardee Concert Band, flute)
2nd:Stephen Conlan (Drogheda Brass Band, baritone)
3rd:Lauren Matthews (Ardee Concert Band, flute)
U-18 Section
1st:Conor Rothwell (Drogheda Brass Band, cornet)
2nd:Adam Byrne (Ardee Concert Band, tenor saxophone)
3rd:Sean O Brien (Ardee Concert Band, tenor saxophone)
Open Section
1st:Alan Cox (Ardee Concert Band, clarinet)
2nd:Mark Nutley (Drogheda Brass Band, Eb Bass)
3rd:Anthony Murphy (Drogheda Brass Band, euphonium)