The Gleneagle Hotel will be the venue for a massed band concert on Sunday March 22nd at 8.00pm as part of the Gleneagle Concert Band Annual Charity Concert.
The Blarney Brass & Reed band and the Clonakilty Brass Band will be guest artists this year. Each band will perform a selection of pieces individually before coming together at the end of the concert for an amazing massed band performance featuring over 100 musicians on stage. All proceeds from this concert will be allocated towards the St. Mary’s (Church of Ireland) Killarney window restoration fund and the band Music Education Youth Programme.
Band conductor Vincent Condon says:
“We are really pleased to be collaborating with St. Mary’s (Church of Ireland) Killarney for the band’s Annual Charity Concert this year. It was very unfortunate that sadly the iconic Victorian nativity windows at the rear of the altar in St Mary’s Church of Ireland were recently damaged as a result of mindless vandalism. The Gleneagle Concert Band feel the restoration efforts of these stained and painted glass deserve support as they are regarded as fine and unique examples of 1800’s paintings and are an important part of Killarney’s history and culture. We hope the public will come out in great numbers to support this worthwhile fundraising venture.
The band musically is in excellent form and the concert will also provide an opportunity to showcase the tremendous work being done through our Music Education Youth Programme, which has benefited so many young people throughout the county for the past 35 years. I extend an open invitation to everybody who has been involved with the band in the past as well as our supporters and music enthusiasts to come and join us for what will be an evening of great entertainment.”
The band which performed superbly for President Michael D. Higgins on his visit to Killarney in 2012 embarked on a concert tour to Lisbon in 2013 and performed two concerts in the Portuguese capital under the baton of band conductor Vincent Condon
Rector of Killarney, Revd Simon J Lumby says:
“It was very heartwarming to be approached by the Gleneagles Concert Band with their offer to choose our Stained Glass Restoration Appeal as the beneficiary of their annual charity concert. The shock of the wanton vandalism of our iconic stained glass window was felt across this community and as far as Dublin and the USA. We hope many people will show their solidarity and community-spirited support for our Appeal by buying tickets from the various outlets and make this a notable launch of our Appeal.
Our Church has a tradition of hosting many notable visiting choirs/orchestras so we are especially delighted to link up with the Gleneagle Concert Band for this event. The musical excellence in Killarney and the neighbouring areas is of a very high quality; this will be at the top end of that.”
Band manager Ciaran Lynch says:
“These are very exciting times for the band which would not be possible without the encouragement and support we receive from the political, business sector and general public in Killarney. This concert will be a highlight and a celebration of the voluntary work, community service and musical excellence that exists here in Killarney. Rehearsals are going very well and there will be a massed band of over 100 players on stage for what will be a musical spectacle in Killarney not to be missed”.
Tickets are priced at €12 for adults and €8 for children/OAP and are available from band members, St. Mary’s (Church of Ireland) Killarney, the INEC box office and Jaspers Coffee Shop on Beech Road. The concert will cater for all musical tastes and will include military marches, classical music, jazz numbers, film music, and vocal hits.
Any person interested in joining the Gleneagle Concert Band (including past members and adults with previous musical experience) or enrolling in lessons in the Gleneagle School of Music should contact the band at: 087 2229513.
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