Christmas Concert Plays to Packed House
by Brian Murphy
A packed Droichead Arts Centre was treated to a great night of music, dance and song when Drogheda Brass Band finished their 2004 concert series with a fantastic Christmas spectacular.
Brian Murphy performing "Carrickfergus".
And guest artist, the Mary Simpson Stage School certainly didn't disappoint, as their dancing and singing went down a real treat to regular concert-goers and newcomers alike.
"It was a fantastic night, the band are just tremendous", Mary enthused afterwards. "It was a real pleasure to bring the Mary Simpson Stage School to the band's concert".
The night kicked off in spectacular fashion with "Prelude On Finlandia", a wonderful opening to what was a fantastic show.
The Beatles' favourite, "All You Need Is Love", was next followed by the first Christmas tune of the night, "The Snowman", made famous by Aled Jones in the 80s.
There was a spot of ballet music next, when the band played through "Dancing in the Park", an original brass band piece, originally written for a ballet.
The singers and dancers of the Mary Simpson Stage School then took over and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed their entertainment, with Mary Simpson and Kim Keogh singing with the crowd and the dancers kicking and stepping to the beat.
The second half kicked off with "A Christmas Prelude", which is a fantasy based on "O Come, All Ye Faithful".
First trombone player Brian Murphy then gave a rendition of the old Irish tune "Carrickfergus" which enthralled the crowd before the band hit the rock scene with three tunes by The Eagles, "Desperado", "Peaceful Easy Feelin'" and "Hotel California" which got the crowd singing and clapping along.
Honorary member of the band Joe Shields, who was present at the concert, bought a piece of music for the band recently and that was played next, a swing version of an old Scottish tune called "Swinging Kilts".
The concert ended with a wonderful arrangement called Instant Christmas which featured basically every Christmas tune you could name, all in the one piece!
Musical Director Micahel Maher introduces the next item on the programme.
The band have been very busy over the Christmas period, warming shoppers' ears over the town of Drogheda playing Christmas carols. They will continue their annual tradition this Christmas Day of playing in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the Cottage Hospital.