Belated congratulations to Jemma Shivers – she has only just discovered she was awarded 3rd place in the U-9 tin whistle competition at the Derry fleadh back in March! Well done, also, to all those who took part in recent feis competitions in Derry, Larne, Coalisland and Maghera – I don’t have complete results but I believe we had a few winners!
Winners to report, as well, at the Antrim fleadh a couple of weeks ago. In solo competitions, Patrick Magee won the 15-18 banjo, mandolin and bodhran competitions and was placed 2nd in the O-18 duets with his sister, Roisin. We also had competitors in two Ceoltoiri Crosskeys ceili bands and four of their grupai cheoil and all have qualified for the Ulster fleadh as winners with the exception of the U-12 grupa ceoil who qualified in 2nd place.
Another busy year comes to a close tomorrow with our final classes of the season. We’re happy to report great progress being made by our young musicians, with increasing numbers attending both the classes and the monthly junior sessions. Thanks to everyone who supported our many activities and functions this year – classes, sessions, fundraisers, concerts, Ballymena Festival etc. We’re also grateful to our tutors and to both Anahorish Primary School and The Elk for facilitating our classes and all the other events we organised.
Of course, the music doesn’t finish just because our classes and sessions are taking a break for a few months. The summer is a particularly busy time for those dedicated to traditional music and many of our musicians will be competing at fleadh and feis events as well as attending traditional music summer schools and workshops throughout the country. We hope everyone has an enjoyable break and good luck to those representing us at the various festivals during the summer.
Pictured is Conall Walls playing ‘The Blackbird’ at our session on 5th May in honour of his grandfather and former chairman of Newbridge CCE, Kevin Walls.