The Kildare Wind Ensemble has begun a campaign to recruit musicians to join its ranks from all around the county and beyond. The start up group, is in the early stages of recruitment and all going well, plans to meet for the first time later this year.
The Kildare Wind Ensemble is seeking musicians on the following instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drums, Timpani and Tuned Percussion.
It is envisaged that the new group will be filled with musicians of grade five standard, however it is not a requirement to have passed exams at that level. The music to be played by the new group will be determined by the members over time, but it is hoped that original wind ensemble music will form a large part of the repertoire, augmented with film music and quality transcriptions, with the group meeting once a month to rehearse.
This exciting new ensemble is being driven by a man who is no stranger to wind ensembles, or indeed the arts in Kildare. Alan Kelly, who is currently Musical Director of both the Nas na Ri Singers and the Millicent Singers, has a wealth of experience of wind ensembles.
“The plan at this stage is to get as many brass, woodwind and percussion players registered on their website, and when sufficient numbers are reached, the group will meet for the first time.” Kelly enthused, and went on to say that “we don’t want to steal or poach players from existing bands in the county. Far from it. The Kildare Wind Ensemble is here to work with bands and their members, and we encourage players to remain in their own community based groups.”
Kelly started his musical career with the Ardee Concert Band, as a euphonium player, and from there was accepted into both the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble and Irish Youth Brass. He studied euphonium with Sean Fleming of the National Symphony Orchestra while at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama and has won national championships as a player with Ardee Concert Band.
As a conductor, Alan was behind the baton in 2002 when Dublin Concert Band captured the top section of the National Band Championships, and was once again conductor when Ardee Youth Band won the Junior Section of the same competition in 2008.
While no Musical Director is in place, it is hoped to bring in conductors with experience in wind ensembles and if funding is available, to work with leading conductors from the UK, Europe and around the world.
See www.kildarewindensemble.com for more details.