Marching band season starts
Mullingar Town Band resume concert band music rehearsals this week after a very busy but rewarding marching season which began on St Patrick’s Day.
The Band won the Irish Marching Band Championships in Castletown-Geoghegan on Saturday September 2, and preparations for the production, Pulse, had been ongoing since last autumn.
The production team included Director Kim Magee, Assistant Director Greg Dunne, Drum Major Cathal Byrne, Colour-Guard Hilary McKeon, Field Percussion Adam McCormack, Original Music Composition Eoin O’Keeffe, Drill Designer Paul Brakewell, Choreography Ann-Marie Bentick, Artistic Designer Lucy Tormey, and Set Building Pat Jessop.
The Band and Colourguard members were deserving of the win, having worked endlessly throughout the summer, performing in Rastede, Germany, in June and again in Arklow in July, and finally in Castletown Geoghegan on the winning weekend.
Sincere thanks is given to hosts Castletown Geoghegan GAA and to all their supporters, as well as sponsors Westmeath County Council and Mullingar Credit Union.
The Band was part of the Mullingar music contingent at this year’s Electric Picnic. Marty Mulligan has hosted Mullingar Town Band for the last three years in MindField arena. It’s not too often that the Band march in wellies and Kim Magee says it was a privilege to meet up with Mullingar crime novelist Patricia Gibney, adding that some day the ‘Ragmullin Band’ might feature in one of her stories.
Summer 2017 saw a few firsts for Mullingar Town Band, who were invited to the Rose of Tralee Festival in August.
The Band led the Parade of Roses through the thronged streets of Tralee, where the atmosphere was electric.
Having kept an eye out for the Westmeath Rose, Eva Cooney, the members were delighted to entertain her and have a picture taken.
Kick starting the season, MTB is doing its annual recruiting today Tuesday September 19 at 5.30pm for anyone age eight and over.
If you think you would like to be part of a fun, disciplined and active music organisation who teaches music and teamwork to a high standard, sign up here.
You will be joining a group of All Ireland Champions 2017!
The Mullingar Town Band Colourguard who are also All Ireland Colourguard Champions are recruiting from age 8 from Friday September 22 to Sunday September 24.
For more information on Mullingar Town Band check out www.mullingartownband.ie, as well as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Bingo is on every Wednesday night at 8.30pm at the Band Hall, which is a great night’s fun while supporting the Mullingar Town Band.
Mullingar Town Band members rehearsed 440 hours from April to September on the practice field.
Each year, members are recognised for the commitment and dedication they show to the organisation through a presentation of in house awards.
Bands Person of the Year 2017 went to Aoife Walsh; Best Section 2017 Colourguard: Hilary McKeon, Becky Clarke, Queen Mudau, Abbie Sheerin, Alison Oakes, Beth Finn, Niamh Matthews; and the Drum Major Award went to Cathal Byrne.