Fermoy Concert Band: Getting in tune for centenary year

CHRISTMAS 2022 EVENTS REVIEW

The success of the band’s Christmas schedule resonated well into the cool, crisp early days and weeks of January 2023. Fermoy’s festive Richmond Market went very well for both the Senior and Youth bands who revelled in the opportunity to delight and entertain its patrons in the run up to Christmas 2023.

In a similar vein, both bands ‘rocked the joint’ in Mahon Point which was a great success and a very enjoyable venue to play in due to excellent acoustics along with terrific audience numbers and support.

Last, but most certainly not least on the season’s programme was the Carol Service in St Patrick’s Church, Fermoy. This was a moving and beautiful service which also featured the superb musical talents of Irish language group Claisceadal na gCarad and St Patrick’s Parish Choir led by Deirdre Foley. Both they and the band sounded fantastic and reminded all present of what a beautiful venue it is to perform in.

In other news, Fermoy Concert Band’s Transition Year members recently took part in a concert with Irish Defence Force’s Army in Cork City Hall on 21st February which was a great success.

SPRING PROGRAM

The concert band has an exciting and busy schedule ahead for Spring 2023. First up will be the Youth Band who will perform on Wednesday 15th March in Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig alongside the Ballincollig Youth Band and Clonakilty Brass Band as part of a wider concert with a visiting American concert band who will making the journey all the way from Iowa in the United States.

All three bands, Senior, Youth and Training, will march and play in the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day parade on 17th March. They are very much looking forward to entertaining all those who will be in attendance and ‘playing their part’ in one of the town’s annual flagship events, all the more so on this the 100th year of their existence in the locality.

On Easter Sunday, April 9th, a commemorative parade will start in Fermoy at 2pm to mark the centenary of the end of the civil war. It will leave the town centre’s Commandant Michael Fitzgerald Monument and proceed to Lynch’s grave at nearby Kilcrumper cemetery. The Senior Band has been asked to perform along with other visiting bands from overseas. This event promises, together with the historical significance of the day, to be a unique occasion of musical enjoyment for all who will be in attendance.

SUMMER PROGRAM CENTENARY EVENTS, BOOK LAUNCH AND GALA CONCERT

Work continues apace on the planned Centenary Commemorative Book which will chart and document the band’s progress from its earliest inception in 1923 up until the present day. To mark the publication of this momentous endeavour, there will be an official launch of same in tandem with a Gala Concert which will be held on the evening of the 6th May in The Palace Theatre Fermoy.

Details for ticket arrangements/ bookings will be available soon so please keep an eye to the band’s Facebook page in the coming weeks. In addition, a special display is planned for the month of May in Fermoy Public Library to showcase the book and the band centenary.

MASSED BANDS CONCERT

Following on from the exciting events in May, it promises to get even better with a planned Massed Bands concert on the 25th June in Fermoy Town Park. This is sure to be a fantastic day for all so save the date in your diaries and keep your ear the ground for further details closer to the event,

SOUTH OF IRELAND BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fermoy Concert Band’s annual pilgrimage to the South of Ireland Band championships, which will be held in the fair and welcoming and charming town of Clonakilty in West Cork on Saturday, 1st July 2023, will also be extra-special given the centenary year context. This is a highlight of the band’s year where they particularly relish the opportunity to proudly represent Fermoy and its surrounding environs. All support welcome.

CIVIC RECEPTION

A civic reception will take place in honour of the band in Fermoy town on 4th July, which as luck would have it is also the band’s official birthday! The band is proud to be recognised in this way and is looking forward to celebrating its birth in such a unique way.