F.C.J. SECONDARY SCHOOL
Congratulations to F.C.J. Bunclody Band member, Eoin Young (2nd Year) of Knocknalour, Bunclody, who was invited to play at the 'High Achievers Concert' in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on September 28th last. Eoin, who plays the trumpet, was selected because of the very high marks he achieved earlier this year in the grade examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music London. Well done also to the more than 150 F.C.J. students who achieved remarkable results in these grade examinations, including the students who got such good results in the higher Theory examinations - they are now eligible to take the Board's higher-grade exams.
At the Annual Prizegiving in May, the Shane Power Perpetual Music Award was presented to two very worthy winners ! - Amanda Kearns (Trombone), Ballycrystal, Bunclody, and Colette McClean (Clarinet), Rosemary Hill, Ferns. We are delighted that two other Band members were presented with other prestigious awards : Linda Hart (Flute) of 'St. Anthony's', Barker's Road, Bunclody, won the 2003 Good Fellowship Award and Louise Sweeney (Clarinet) of Ballingate Lower, Carnew, was presented with the Spirit of 4th Year Prize.
At the Presentation of 2003 Academic Awards at the Beginning of Year Mass in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody, on Thursday, September 25th, two Band members won the public examination awards : The Junior Certificate Award went to Barry Leacy (Clarinet) of "Ambleside", Coolnahorna, Enniscorthy, and the Leaving Certificate Award was presented to Marguerite Hughes (Flute), Parkbridge, Clonegal.
In the State Leaving Certificate examinations, held in June, all the Band members and Music students achieved very good results. When the results were announced in August, 90% of students who took Music used them for their points for college entry.
The Junior & Senior Bands played for their parents and the school community in two very successful concerts in May. This was actually the first time that the Bands specifically played for all the students of the school and it proved to be an amazing day. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially those who gave solo recitals. Parents and students very generously gave to a collection after the concerts and €2,000 was raised for the work of Sr. Margaret Sheehan (an Irish F.C.J.), with street children in the city of Maasin in thethe Philippines.
The F.C.J. Music Students begun music lessons and rehearsals for the new school year. We are very glad to see Music Teachers from last year back with us: Mr. Jack Conaghy, Ms. Deirdre O'Leary & Ms. Anne Wickham, and to welcome our new teachers, Ms. Daire Halpin, Ms. Alice Nolan & Mr. Roddy O'Keefe. As Band is an extra-curricular activity in Irish schools, each section (ie. Junior & Senior) has a one hour rehearsal per week, after school. When preparing for a concert or tour extra rehearsals are held at week-ends. Also, each student has a half hour music lesson each week. At present, many members are combining Band activities with rehearsals for our bi-annual school musical, this year it's "Kiss Me Kate". We now have 160 musicians as we said goodbye last May to our 6th Year students. Because there are very few trombone players in the Juniors, Gearoid Grant has this week begun the task of recruiting six new trombone players from the 2nd Year students who were the hardest working and most consistent players in last years recorder classes !
The school has a new web site at www.fcjbunclody.ie It is a 'work in progress' and we hope to have good Band photos and information on it soon.
Eileen Martin, School Secretary
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MUSIC ACTIVITIES
October 2003
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