Queen’s University Festival of Brass 2017

What a day last Saturday turned out to be for the Lourdes Brass Band as they competed in the Queen’s University Festival of Brass and took home all the silverware on offer.

In addition to winning First Prize, the Band were also awarded the prizes for “Most Entertaining Band”, “Best March” for their performance of ‘The Voice of the Guns’ by Kenneth Alford, while the Band’s principal cornet player Mark Newman also scooped the prize for “Best Soloist”.  This is a great achievement for Mark as he was also awarded best soloist prize at the South of Ireland Band Championships held in Clonakilty earlier this year.

The adjudicator at the championships, Mr Leigh Baker, former Composer in Residence with the world famous “Brighouse and Rastrick Band”,  was particularly impressed with the age profile of the band commenting that the band played with “so much style and colour from a very young band”.

The Band’s Musical Director added, "I am delighted to see the band’s hard work over the past year being acknowledged at the weekend with a clean sweep of prizes. The comments from both adjudicators picked up on lots of things that we have worked so hard to develop in recent months. I was especially pleased to see so many of the younger players in the band playing a full part in the performance on Saturday and it bodes well for the future of the band and importantly, the youth band. Well done to all of the soloists on Saturday, particuarly Mark Newman for a beautiful performance of Gordon Langford’s “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose”. 

The band would like to thank Professor Michael Alcorn for all his hard work and dedication to the Band. There truly isn’t a harder working man in banding.

The next outing for the band is our Christmas Concert which is held on Thursday 14th December in the Droichead Arts Centre, tickets are available from the bandroom on Bachelors Lane and the Droichead Arts Centre box office.

Alzheimer’s ‘Evening Of Music’ November 2017

The Lourdes Brass Band would like to sincerely thank everyone involved with the Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre Drogheda for inviting us to participate in their recent concert ‘An Evening of Music’ which was held on the 3rd of November. We would especially like to thank Ann Shortt and the committee of the Drogheda branch for their invite to take part in their fantastic concert last week.

The Lourdes Youth Band, with conductor Mr. John Walsh, closed the first half of the show. Their performance included some of the pieces which they recently performed in the prestigious National Concert Hall. The Senior Band, under the baton of Professor Michael Alcorn, opened the second half of the show playing some well known numbers such as The Candyman arranged by Prof. Alcorn, and My Love is Like a Red Red Rose which featured our prize winning cornet player Mark Newman.

Congratulations to all involved. The concert was a huge success and it was an absolute pleasure to be given the opportunity to perform at such a well attended and organised event. As a fellow community organisation, we appreciate how difficult it is to fundraise in order to deliver such a vital service to our area and the town of Drogheda.

The Lourdes Band strives to serve the Drogheda community and is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre Drogheda.

Lourdes Brass Band Annual Solo Competitions 2017

Bachelor’s Lane was alive with the sounds of music as the annual Lourdes Brass Band Solo Competition’s took place on Sunday the 12th February 2017. The adjudicator for this highly anticipated event was Mr. Cormac O’hAodáin. Cormac is the principle French-horn player with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

The competition began with eleven young musicians competing in the “Young Achievers Section.” Although these performers have been playing for only a short time they achieved a high standard. Cormac paid glowing tribute to each contestant, awarding 1st to Cathal O Malley, 2nd to Alex Healy and 3rd to Jack Black. Katie Jane Cowley received a special recognition for her performance. 

The “Lourdes Youth Band Challenge Section” was next to shine. Each musician gave a beautiful rendition of their chosen piece. Mr. O’hAodáin commended the rising stars within the band, awarding 1st to Ella Carter, 2nd to Kelley Smith and 3rd to Aoife Milne. Katie Jane Cowley received the adjudicator’s special recognition for her talented performance.

Expectations where high as the “Lourdes Youth Band Open Section” commenced. The standard of playing within this section was superb, with every entrant giving everything to their performance. Mr. O’hAodáin was so impressed with the ability of these musicians he recommended they consider a career in music, awarding 1st to Sean Toner, 2nd to Gareth Curran and 3rd to Brian O Malley. This time Cormac’s special recognition went to Kevin Carter for a most lyrical recital.

The “Senior Open Section” was the final category of the day. The audience were treated to fantastic renditions of the most varied music possible, ranging from Baroque to modern contemporary pieces. Mr. O’hAodáin was impressed by the standard displayed in this section and awarded 1st (the “Harry Kelly” perpetual trophy) to Danny Black and 2nd to Mark Newman. In this section Tara Shortt received Cormac’s special recognition for her interpretation of a most challenging piece.

The Lourdes Brass Band would like to give special thanks Mr. Cormac O’hAodáin for adjudicating the event. We also thank Mrs. Klara Bolger for her dedication and the superb accompaniment she supplied.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and here’s looking forward to the 2018 competition.

Christmas Concert 2016

With everyone in the Christmas spirit gathered in Bachelors Lane the Lourdes Youth Band under the baton of Mr John Walsh opened the festivities with the March “Maryland” by Edrich Siebert followed by a melody of Christmas tunes form Adeste Fidelis, Silent Night White Christmas and Jingle Bells.

It was then time for the growing talent within the Lourdes Brass Band to take centre stage. Under the tuition of the junior class teachers Shannon Branigan and Colin Black the young musicians of the band who have only been playing brass instruments for less than a year entertained everyone in attendance with their chosen Christmas pieces. 

It was called upon John Walsh to present the Junior Band Person of the year award. The award is presented to a member of the junior classes who shows great enthusiasm and is always ready do give his or her time to helping with flag days, bag packing or anything he or she is asked to do. The Connie Campbell Perpetual trophy winner for 2016 and Junior Band Person of the year was awarded to Cathal O Malley

Following from the successful night by the junior members of the band it was then the night for the Junior South of Ireland Band Champions the Lourdes Youth band and the Senior South of Ireland Band Champions and Festival of Brass winners the Lourdes Brass Senior Band to entertain the people of Drogheda. With everyone in the Christmas spirit and under the baton of Prof Michael Alcorn the band opened the festivities their award winning program.

 The band opened their program with When Thunder Calls by Paul Lovatt-Copper followed by the march Castell Coch by T, J Powell. With everyone on stage an in attendance truly enjoying the performance it was time for soloist Mark Newman to give a moving performance of Rusalka’s Song to the Moon by Antonin Dvorak. The Lourdes Brass Band then completed their program with You’ve Been Warned by Paul Lovatt-Copper.

It was then time to welcome the Lourdes Youth Band under the baton of Mr Michael Black presenting the next stage in the development of the Lourdes Brass Band. After a busy year for the Lourdes Youth Band performing at many venues throughout Drogheda they highlighted the growing talent within the organisation.

Sean Toner, winner of the Junior Band person of the year

It was called upon Michael Black head of the Lourdes Brass Band School of Music to present the highly anticipated Junior Band person on the year. The award is presented to a member of the junior classes who shows great enthusiasm and is always ready do give his or her time to helping with flag days, bag packing or anything he or she is asked to do. The Connie Campbell Perpetual trophy winner for 2016 and Junior Band Person of the year was awarded to Sean Toner.

With everyone in attendance enjoying the festivities, the Lourdes Brass Band retook to the stage for the second half of the festivities. The Band opened by introducing soloist John Kelly on E-flat bass preforming a beautiful rendition of “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas” arr by Meredith Wilson followed by soloist Cormac Black on Euphonium performing a wonderful adaptation of “Julesang “also known as “O Holy Night” arranged by Ray Farr. With everyone in attendance joining in, singing along with the band performance of “The Big Sing” a selection of Christmas favourites 

Niamh Shortt, winner of the 2016 Band person of the year 

With the evening drawing to a close it was time for the presentation of the highly anticipated Band person on the year. 

It was called upon Lourdes Brass Band Musical director Professor Michael Alcorn to present the Band person of the year award. This year the award was presented to a member of the band who is recognised for their musical ability, and is always available to share their experience and knowledge with the young musicians coming through the organisation.  The Jack Reilly Perpetual Trophy winners for 2016 and Band Person on the Year was awarded to Niamh Shortt

An enormous thank you was given to Professor Michael Alcorn who has had such a big influence in the future direction of the band. A special thanks given to the staff and management at the Droichead Arts Centre

Mr Niall Whelan chairman of the Lourdes Brass Band would like to wish all our members and supports of the Band a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.