Ardee Concert Band win at Championships

Some 40 members of Ardee Concert Band travelled to west Cork to take part in the 42nd South of Ireland band Championships in Clonakilty, Co. Cork on Saturday July 1st 2023.

Under the baton of Mr James MacCafferty, the Senior Band played four pieces in their performance coinciding with the theme of "Anthology" for the year 1923, for which they took home the bronze Medal of 3rd Prize back to the wee County. 

They opened up their set in the traditional banding way performing a March titled English Folk Song Suite, 3rd movement March by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Secondly the band played "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, next the band Played Duke Ellington in Concert a rare find in their library during the year arranged by Wayne Scott featuring Trumpet and Clarinet Solos.

To finish their competition slot they performed a novelty piece "Yes, We have no bananas" by Conn and Silver/ Albert Henry, the song became a major hit in 1923, placing No. 1 for five weeks.

The bands competition entries made quite the impression on the days adjudicator Mr John Doyle, heralded as one the UK’s leading performers on Cornet, Flugel Horn, Soprano Cornet and Trumpet and is in great demand around the world as a soloist, conductor, adjudicator and educator.

After a long deliberation he announced the top three prize winners for the Senior section in which 10 very talented bands performed.

He awarded third place to Ardee Concert Band, second place to The Elastic Band and first place to Dublin Concert Band.