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Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018 announced
The mighty Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces, under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast, return to University Concert Hall for the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018 on Saturday 16th June at 5 pm.
Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018 announced
The mighty Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces, under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast, return to University Concert Hall for the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018, performing delightful operatic arias, musical numbers and rousing military band tunes. Limerick’s Mairéad Buicke (soprano) will join them for what will be a hugely enjoyable evening of music on Saturday 16th June at 5 pm.
The Defence forces summer proms 2018 will be extra special as it will be broadcast live on Evelyn Grant’s Weekend Drive, marking the launch of the CD celebrating Irish wind band music on the RTÉ lyric fm label.
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The Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018 will open with the rousing Olympic Fanfare and Theme written for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, by celebrated film composer John Williams. Other delightful tunes to be performed on the night include Percy French’s Gortnamona, a medley from the 1930’s musical Me and My Girl, the well-known 19th century Irish ballad The Boys of Wexford, a Cole Porter spectacular and one of the most popular arias from Czech composer Dvorak, Song To The Moon – among many others!
The Defence Forces School of Music was established in 1923 with four military bands being formed during the early years of the Irish state. Defence Forces Bands continue to perform at all major military and state ceremonial occasions including all Presidential Inaugurations from that of the first president of Ireland, Douglas Hyde to the present day. Defence Forces Pipe bands also play an important part in many ceremonial and sporting occasions and are probably best known for their performances during the Dublin Horse Show in August of each year.
Mairéad Buicke’s concert engagements have included those with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of St Cecilia, the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and her debut in a series of Viennese Concerts for English Northern Philharmonia.
Captain Prendergast began his army career in 1981 as a euphonium player in the Band of the Southern Command. From 1992 until his commissioning in 2005, Captain Prendergast was principal bassoonist with the Band of 1 Southern Brigade. He was appointed Conductor of the Band of 1 Southern Brigade in 2007. At present, he is principal conductor of Cork Barrack Street Band and continues to have a keen interest in the development of amateur bands.
University Concert Hall is delighted to welcome lyric fm’s Evelyn Grant as the presenter on the evening, with the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018 being broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm.
For tickets to the Defence Forces Summer Proms 2018, go here.
For more stories on the Defence Forces, go here.
