Kevin Reilly takes on the role of chairman of the Ardee Concert Band
AT the AGM of Ardee Concert Band, outgoing chairperson, Dermot Murray, outlined the events of another very successful year for the band.
As well as a very progressive School of Music with over 100 young people being taught music every week, the senior band performed very well at a number of major festivals winning first prize and 6 other prizes at the South of Ireland Band Championships in Clonakilty in July and also winning a Platinum Award at the Regional Qualifying Event of the National Concert Band Festival in Oldham in November.
Dermot has been chairperson for four very successful years and was stepping down due to work commitments.
A new committee was formed for 2018 with Kevin Reilly as chairperson. Having held a number of positions in the band over the years, this is the first time that Kevin has held the post as chairperson.
He joined the band in 1968 in the same year that his late father John Reilly was elected as chairperson of the Ardee Brass & Reed Band on 11th February 1968, fifty years ago almost to the day.
The other officers of the committee elected are Joanne Carroll as secretary, Jen McKeever as vice-chairperson and Peter McKeever as treasurer.
The band are currently working on preparations for the Ardee St.Patrick’s Day Parade where the senior band will be joined by the youth band to lead this very successful and entertaining event which for many years was organised by the band.
By winning a Platinum Award in Oldham last November, the band have been invited to take part in the National Finals of the National Concert Band Festival to be held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on Sunday 8th April.