Lourdes brass band in fine form
TO close a very successful 2017 the Lourdes Brass Band held their annual Christmas Concert in the Drogheda Arts Centre.
Under the baton of Professor Michael Alcorn, they opened the festivities with their award winning program from their recent win at the Festival for Brass contest in Queens. Including the winning performance in both the South of Ireland Championships and Festival if brass competitions of Love is like a Red Red Rose by Mr Mark Newman
This was followed by an amazing performance from the junior musicians in the band giving a beautiful rendition of the 12 days of Christmas. It was then called upon Michael Black to present the Connie Campbell Perpetual Trophy”, an award presented to a member of the junior classes who shows great enthusiasm and is always ready do give his or her time to help others, the winner for 2017 was Jack Black and Amelie Douet
With everyone in attendance in the festive spirit it was time for the Lourdes youth band under the baton of Mr John Walsh to take to the stage.
The Lourdes youth band performed beautiful renditions of White Christmas and Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. To top off a really enjoyable performance the band were joined on stage by the Mell School Choir with principle Ms Maire Maguire. Together the choir and band performed Silent night, Adeste Fiedles and Jingle Bells. It was then called upon Mr John Walsh to award the Young band persons of the year 2017 Trophy, awarding the prize to the very worthy winners, Lucy Campbell, Sinead Wynne and Roisin Milne.
The close the event the Lourdes Brass Band retook to the stage for the second half of the festivities. The Band opened by introducing highlights from Frozen followed by soloist Cormac Black on Euphonium performing a wonderful adaptation of “Julesang “also known as “O Holy Night” arranged by Ray Farr. It was then an honour for the band to perform Hallelujah and arrangement by Frank Barnaret dedicated to the memory of the late Christy Smith who sadly passed away in 2017.
With the evening drawing to a close the Lourdes Brass Band’s Musical director Professor Michael Alcorn was called upon to present the Band person of the year award, handing it to Ben Flanagan
An enormous thank you was given to Professor Michael Alcorn and Mr John Walsh who have had such a big influence in the future direction of the band.
A special thanks given to Mell Choir and their director Klara Bolger and principal Ms Maire Maguire, the staff and management at the Droichead Arts Centre.