News & Events
RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Banna were priveleged to play at the recent visit of President Higgins to Clonmel when he received the Freedom of the Borough. The President paid tribute to the band during his speech. Another great event for the band members was the visit of top group Royseven to the band hall. The group are led by Clonmelman Paul Walsh. They gave the band a great insight into the music business and played a few of their hits as well as playing with our band. Paul's late Dad, Vincent Walsh was a Tutor with Banna in the early days and was a Director up to his death earlier this year. We sincerely thank Paul and the members of Royseven for their kind attention to all the band members and for giving us their time.
Our Fieldshow Unit, the Clonmel Bluehawks are practicing for the Fieldshow Competitions. Their show this year will be an up dated version of last years and will be called Lumen in Nocte.
We will compete in Ballygar and Arklow before the finals which this year will be held in Clonmel on Saturday 8th September.We are going for four Championship wins in a row and the pressure is on as we know that all the other bands will have great shows this year.
CONCERT BAND CHAMPIONS
Banna won the national Concert Band Championship in their class recently. This is a great achievement as most bands participating are Concert bands only while we perform concert, marching and fieldshow. Congrats to all, and to Peter Taylor, Musical Director. Banna are now All Ireland Concert Band, Marching Band and Colorguard Champions
CODE OF ETHICS & GOOD PRACTICE
Banna Chluain Meala have adopted a Code of Ethics and Good Practice which includes a Child Protection Policy.
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COLORGUARD ARE ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS
The Colorguard of Banna Chluain Meala competed in the All Ireland Championships in Tallaght on Sunday 19th February and won the Championship in their first time entering the Competition.. Their show was from the great musical Cats and took the audience on a magical journey featuring popular numbers such as, Journey to the Heavy Side Layer, The Magical Mr. Mistofilles and closing with the very popular Memories. They enthralled the audience with a wonderful show of dance, costumes, make up and special affects. This was a special achievement for such a talented and dedicated group of young girls who we are all very proud of. It was a just reward for them and the commitment of their Instructor, Majella Hewitt Forte and Assistant Clare McAleavey.
BLUEHAWKS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW
Banna Chluain Meala's fieldshow unit, the Clonmel Bluehawks won the 2011 All Ireland Marching Band Championships at Tallaght Stadium on Saturday 10th September. This was three in a row for the Bluehawks and five wins in six years. It was a wonderful achievement for the band members who have shown so much dedication and commitment in preparing their show since early in 2011. The show is called "0ut of the Blue" which explores the journey from darkness to light. The Bluehawks are now one of the top Marching Bands in Europe, which is a great achievement for all the young Musicians, Dancers and their Instructors. The many hours of hard work and dedication helps foster discipline, fitness and excellent musicianship and dance, as well as wonderful friendships which will hold many happy memories for this great group of young people for the rest of their lives.
Many congratulations to Alan McCormack, Field Commander and Majella Hewitt Forte, Colorguard Instructor and their hard working team, Emmet Donlan, Liam O' Brien, Jamie Millea, Eoin Redmond, Tom Woodlock and Clare McAleavey. Thanks also to the parents and all those who helped in any way. Banna Chluain Meala is 40 years old this year and winning the All Ireland Championship again is a clear sign that the current group of young musicians and dancers are a shining example of the band's high standards throughout all those years.
40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 1971 - 2011
Our Band celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2011 and a number of events were organised to mark the occasion. A Photographic and Memorabelia Exhibition, in association with South Tipperary Museum was held at the Museum from June 4th to July 9th.
On June 10th a concert in St Mary's, Irishtown, featured Banna Chluain Meala, Band of the 1st Regiment Cork, and the Kidderminster Male Voice Choir. The Band performed at Mick Delahunty Square on the evening of July 9th as part of the Junction Festival to coincide with the closing of the Museum Exhibition.
A Marching Bands Competition in association with the Irish Marching Bands Association was held at Clonmel Rugby Club on August 28th.
On September 24th a concert for Parents, Patrons and Friends was held held at Hotel Minella. The concert featured a special "Past Pupils Band".
On October 22nd a Dinner Dance was held at Hotel Minella.
Special Honour for Tony and Pat
At the end of the Civic Reception the Band gave a special presentation to committee members, Pat Furey and Tony O' Keeffe for long and dedicated service. They were enrolled as lifetime Vice Presidents of the Band. A fitting tribute to two great people. See some pictures from the night in our gallery.
Civic Reception for Banna
On Friday 19th October 2008, the Mayor Councillor Richie Molloy and the members of Clonmel Borough Council accorded a Civic Reception to Banna Chluain Meala for our contribution to the community over the last 36 years. We were very proud to receive this honour and wish to thank the Mayor and the Borough Council for a lovely ceremony and excellent hospitality on the night. See some pictures from the night in our gallery.
Holland Trip 2007 a great sucess
Our trip to Purmerend in Holland from 23rd to 27th August to visit our friends the Willem Eggert Band was a huge success. We had a wonderful time. We wish to thank all the organisers in Purmerend and in particular the members of the Willem Eggert Band, and the community in Zuidoostbeemster for the excellent hospitality which we received.