The Rathfarnham Concert Band Society is delighted to have been awarded the South Dublin County Mayor’s Community Hero Award for their contribution to the community, to musical education for children in South Dublin and for providing opportunities for people young and old to play music and make friendships together. The Awards were presented to the respective recipients by the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Emma Murphy at an event which took place on Friday 9th June at South Dublin County Council, County Chambers in Tallaght.
Nomination for the award came from South Dublin County Councillor, Fine Gael’s Lynn McCrave who commented on the awards saying, “There is no better opportunity for children in our community to play in a large group of up to ninety musicians, ranging from 12-80 years and to develop their musical skills. Some of these local young musicians who started with the Rathfarnham Concert Band have gone on to be professional musicians located all around the world.”
The Rathfarnham Concert Band Society was born out of St Mary’s Boys National School in Rathfarnham in 1980, and since then has brought thousands of hours of happiness to all who perform with the band and who attend their popular concerts. Children start their musical journey with RCBS from age seven learning the recorder as a base instrument. They then progress to their instrument of choice – a wind, brass or percussion instrument – and start playing as a group with the Tyro Band, then as they become more accomplished musicians they move to Junior Band, Intermediate Band and then onto the Senior Band.
“This award is very much appreciated and the recognition so valuable to a musical society like ours”, said Composer and Musical Director of the RCBS, Vincent Kennedy on accepting the Award. “Music is always there to uplift, distract, colour and comfort, it brings people and communities together and enriches lives. Thank you to South Dublin County Council for recognising and acknowledging this.” “We are proud to be a big part of our community and to develop and display the talents of so many wonderful young musicians. We are always keen to support and play at local events. But we also rely on the generosity and goodwill of the many volunteers, businesses and schools to keep going” said Ciarán Ahern, Chairman of the Rathfarnham Concert Band.
Mr Ahern continued: “We are particularly grateful to Ballyroan Boys National School where we currently conduct our rehearsals and lessons, and to St. Mary’s Boys National School which was home to the Band for many years. Like many other voluntary organisations, we are run on a shoestring and rely on funding and sponsorship from local businesses for our survival. We are always seeking new members, new supporters and new opportunities to perform. Join us!”
As well as numerous local concerts, each year RCBS performs at the National Concert Hall with over 150 children from five local primary schools. Performing for a sold-out audience in the National Concert Hall is the highlight of the RCBS musical year, and is also its major annual fundraiser. Without this additional funding RCBS could simply not continue to offer its full range of music programmes.
