Christmas & New Year Session 2019
Portglenone CCE Branch held another highly successful Christmas & New Year Session in The Wild Duck Inn on Friday 4th January 2019. A large crowd was packed into the Mallard Suite at The Wild Duck Inn from early on as the young musicians kicked off the Junior session at 7.30pm. The most notable thing was the number of young children, over 50 musicians, who took part in the session and the level of the young talent which is out there. They played for one and half hours to a very appreciative audience!!
Just before the changing of the guard and supper, Kieran announced the recipients of the London College of Music Grade Certificates and our Chairman, Eamon Graham, presented the pupils with their certificates of Achievement where they all received a Distinction or Merit status.
Then there was the big one, the 'Services to Comhaltas Gradam Award' presented to our long serving and well deserved Tutor, Harry O'Neill, who accepted his award before his whole family who all made it to the presentation, even from as far as Liverpool!! Tip off necessary lol!!
After the supper, the many visiting musicians along with the local branch members and other local visitors began playing a large selection of tunes. Of course there were a few solos and traditional and modern songs sung throughout the night by various artists, which added to the occasion.
We would like to thank Kieran Bradley and The Wild Duck Inn staff for the use of their premises for the session. Special thanks to our Branch Chairman, Eamonn Graham, for being compere for the evening and encouraging all the musicians and singers to do the occasional solo or lead of a set of tunes. Most of all, we would like to thank all those who supported the session and participated in an evening of fine musicianship, especially those who traveled long distances.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our tutors and pupils for a successful first term of the 2018/2019 year at our classes on Monday nights. Special mention goes to the Principal of St. Mary's Primary School, Mrs B. Milner, for the use of the classrooms for these classes. Finally, a big thank you goes to the school caretaker, Brendan Graffin, who looks after the classrooms and opens and locks up every Monday night.
Portglenone CCE Classes resume in St. Mary's Primary School at 7pm on Monday 7th January 2019.
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