Summer Sounds 2000
by Brian Murphy
Foreword:
While this article is four years old it conveys the enthusiasm and energy which still goes into each year of Summer Sounds. Incredibly, we still look forward to Summer Sounds just as much as we did in 2000.
The 7th annual Drogheda Brass Band Summer Sounds week finished with a flurry of activity, excitement, fun and most of all quality music when a packed house at the Droichead Arts Centre was treated to a tuneful trek at the concert on July 28th last.
The youth band during a typical rehearsal?
It was a week of dedication and hard work for all the members, the rewards of which were richly reaped at the concert, with the audience crying out for more.
With tutors Archie Hutchison, Alan Bourne, Tim Bourne and Claire Baldam bringing out the best in the Senior Band and Drogheda Youth Brass, it was certainly a night to remember for all.
Some of the memorable highlights of the concert included "Everybody Needs Somebody" by the youth band, who all dressed up in shades for the item, the euphonium solo delightfully played by Anthony Murphy and the concert Finale, which included "Cry of the Celts" by the senior band who were then joined on stage for a final rendition of "Any Dream Will Do", sung by a band choir and the audience.
Senior Band tutor Archie Hutchison gets some practice in.
Some awards marking achievements at the week's Summer School were presented on the night to the following - Neil Flanagan on drums, D.J. Walsh (Best Potential in the Next 12 Months), Quiz Team No. 8, Graham Gibney (Best Newcomer), Andrew Cassidy (Contributed Most to the Well-Being of the Week). The concert, which was organised with the kind support of Allied Irish Band, West Street, and the British Council, was filmed by Joe Sarsfield.
Our cornet virtuosos making light work of "Trumpet Blues and Cantabile".
From left to right: Tim Bourne, Alan Bourne (slightly hidden here), Christy Smith, Claire Baldam, Archie Hutchison and conductor Michael Maher.
For a lot of the younger members of the band, it was a long week. Each day began for them at 9.30am, with a mixture of rehearsals, classes, theory work, quizes, masterclasses and the odd break or two. They would then take a break at 12.30 for lunch. Next up were the senior band at 2.30 until 4.30, but some of the members of Drogheda Youth Brass are also in the senior band, so having finished with the senior band they had another two hours with the youth bands!
The work load taken on by Alan, Tim and Claire was phenomenal and they really put their heart and soul into everything they did. Their reward came every day in the form of big smiles from enthusiastic kids. There was a real buzz about the youth band's performance at the concert and it was easy to see that they had really enjoyed their week.
Stephen Smith being pleasantly surprised with the unexpected gift of a brand new tenor horn.
Indeed many parents were very eager to thank Alan, Tim and Claire. But they were also quick to praise Martin Cassidy, regular conductor of the youth band and also to the band committee who had organised the week. Six days of music tuition and much more fun besides, all for free!
The senior band attendances were boosted this year as well. A real sign that Archie Hutchison is as popular as ever in Drogheda. The different challenges from each piece were met with gusto from the players, and after a week of intensive work it was great to see the enthusiasm and terrific to hear the dedication as the band played through one of their best performances of recent times.
The entire event seems to grow each year, and although it is a lot of hard work for some people, everyone enjoys it. "Just to see the size of the crowd here tonight is tribute to those who put the effort in", said Brian Murphy, band PRO.
Some of our former band members sitting in on a rehearsal during the course.