Barrack Street Band News
Barrack Street Band Launces New Website!!!
September 2009 sees the launch of the new Barrack Street Band Website...
Bands Annual Concert!!!
Congratulations to everyone involved in our concert this year. It has been a huge success in no small part to all those involved. A special word of thanks to Paul Monaghan he was fantastic and its true he has got the perfect male voice. Also a word of thanks to Oliver Carroll for his excellent job as compare for the night, and to Wayne Brown for accompaning Paul. The biggest word of thanks has to go to our MD Mark Fitzgerald it was his vision that has brought the concert to the new hights and has the unenviable task of topping it next year. Again congrats to everyone for making the concert a huge success.
Junior Band Enrolement!!!
Junior Classes are enrolling now to avoid disapointment please contact Mr Mark Fitzgerald
Junior Bands Person of the Year Announced !!!!!!
Our musicial director had the tough task in picking the junior bands person of the year for this year. Following last years recipient Ms Kaite Mahon it was going to be a tough choice. Speaking to the general body of the band our MD Mr Mark Fitzgerald outlined what it took to win, " The junior award is not just about being the best and most improved musician it also encompases there commitment to the band in attendance, fundraising and attitude in rehersal and band events." Mark therefore awarded Junior bands person of the year to Ms Aisling Brett. Congratulations Aisling were all very proud of you.
Success for The Bands Brett Twins on Joe Duffys Liveline !!!!!!!
Joe invites listeners along for his traditional live Christmas Eve programme from Grafton Street, Dublin where he will be joined by Brush, Doc, Clint and the Gang as well as Imelda May, Brian Kennedy, Red Hurley and many more musical stars such as the brett twins Orla & Aisling. The girls had to perform a christmas duet live on the radio and was edjucated by a panel judges. The girls beat off stiff competition to come in first place. We are delighted and emensely proud of the girls and the girls have told me to tell there DAD that they require a TV each for there X-Boxes.
Lively Debate @ AGM !!!!!!!
A lively discussion took place at this years AGM. After all reports were read out there were no motions for consideration so we went straight to AOB. The members had a meaningfull discussion regarding our proposed change of premises and other issues that came to light throught the year. The band have also given there commitment to taking part in this years National Band Championships in which we are entering the Advanced section. At the end of the meeting the nominations for the bands new committee were given from the floor and a vote took place and the the new committee were duly elected. 2010 is a monumental year for the band as it is our 140th year is existence and there will be a program of events that will take place his year stay tuned to the website for a list of engagements. Please look at the committee section for the bands new commitee.
Concert with Acclaimed Tenor Ronan Tynan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At a quarterly meeting for employees Sun Life Financial announced its plans to host a charity concert in aid of South Eastern Cancer Foundation's Solas Centre and Waterford Hospice. The event, featuring world renowned Irish tenor, Ronan Tynan and The Barrack Street Concert Band, will take place in the beautifully refurbished Theatre Royal on June 11, 2010.
Every second year, Sun Life hosts a major charity event to support causes in the Waterford area. Employees are given the opportunity to nominate charities that are close to their hearts and this year they expressed their desire to support Waterford Hospice, which is taking steps to raise €2m to build a dedicated 22-bed hospice facility in the South East. Considering Sun Life's established relationship with South Eastern Cancer Foundation's Solas Centre, the Company also chose to continue to support this great cause in 2010. "Sun Life is proud to continue its commitment to supporting the local community, charities and organisations. Thanks to our employees, Corporate Social Responsibility has become an integral part of our organisation's culture", commented Seamus Mason, Chairperson of Sun Life's Community Relations Committee.
When Kilkenny native, Ronan Tynan, famously known for his renditions of "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium, offered to perform a concert especially for Waterford, Sun Life was honoured to host such an event. Tickets will first be offered to Sun Life employees with the remainder being sold to the public. All proceeds will go directly to the two chosen charities. With a pre-concert wine reception, and performers of such a high calibre, it is sure to be a glamorous and memorable night for all in attendance.
He plays two concerts at The Theatre Royal.
The first is on Wednesday 9th June and on Friday 11th June at 8pm he wll be joined by Waterford's own Barrack Street Concert Band in what promises to be one of the concerts of the year!
National Band Championships !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The band are very heavily engrossed in rehersals at the moment for the National Band Championships. This year the competition takes place in University Collage Limerick's impressive concert hall. The band are entering into the advanced section which is a first for the band. The advanced section of the competition is the pinicle of the whole competition and is always hotly contended by those who enter. In all sections the bands are required to perform a test piece chosen by the IABCB and also to perform a piece of there own choice. This years advanced piece is titled Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby an English composer. He was educated at the Royal Collage of Music London, where he was taught by Joseph Horovitz.His catalogue features works for orchestra, chorus, concert band, brass band, ballet and various instrumental ensembles. Performances include the BBC Proms, the Leipzig Gewandhaus and many international festivals. One of his most famous works is Paris Sketches, a composition about the city he holds dear. The competition takes place on April 17th & 18th our section is on Saturday 17th. The adjucator this year is Mr Timothy Reynish, Tim has recently been appointed to the prestigious staff of the International Chamber Music Studio at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has emerged as one of the leading conductors of wind bands and wind ensembles in the world. So hopefully with all the hard work dedication and passion that Mark and the band are putting in the fruits of our labour will be well rewarded
Band Fundraiser @ The Comedy Club The Forum Waterford !!!!!!!!!!!
The Barrack Street Concert Band who have launched a campaign to secure a new premises which will have some extra space to allow for anticipated growth in membership. Promises to be a great night's entertainment, for a great cause so get your tickets early, they are now available at a reduced rate of just e15, from band members or by telephoning 086 8771317.
140th Celebration Gala Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The band are delighted to announce the details of the up coming gala dinner to celebrate the milestone of 140 years in existence. Celebrations will take place in the Woodlands Hotel on the dunmore rd on October 9th time to be confirmed. Also on this prestigeous night there will be 3 long service medals handed out to 3 very special people in the bands history, firstly Mr. Brian Drohan 25 years, Mr. Phillip SImpson 50 years and Mr. Billy Mc Grath 60 years. This promises to be a very special evening for all. For further details dont hesitate to contact any of the bands committee.
Bereavement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The band are saddened by the loss of Mr. Tommy Kennedy. Tommy was a long time supported of the band although he wasnt a playing member of the band he was always available when the band was in need of endering assistance.The band wishes to extend its condolonces to Tommys family and you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Mr. Thomas Kennedy, of Skibbereen Road, Lismore Lawn, Waterford, former FAS plumbing instructor, who died on Friday, 13th August, 2010. Removal from Thompson's Funeral Home, Barrack Street, on Saturday at 8.00pm to St. Pauls Church.Requiem mass on Sunday at 12 noon. Funeral to St. Otteran's Cemetery.
Ar dheis de go raibh A anam