This was a great competition where each of the nine bands were excellent and all had their own distinctive styles. The atmosphere in the capacity packed hall was electric aided by the fact that, uniquely, the audience also had a vote in deciding the outcome. In fact there was a degree of agreement between the audience and adjudicators in that their choice of bands, with one notable exception, were the same but in a different order as follows:
First: Haymakers (exception)
Second: Corofin
Third: Tribes
Fourth: Awbeg
The Haymakers were a highly entertaining and surprise entry in that some of their members would have been "very senior" and their music was, to me, reminiscent of the céili bands of yesteryear - one of their selections was a waltze, something that would have been very common at céili dances back in the fifties and sixties. This band also had some great local musicians in their ranks who included the versatile Quentin Cooper (on banjo), Andrew McNamara, Mark Donnellan and Geraldine Cotter on piano.
In conclusion this was a great night to conclude a fantastic weekend and congratulations to the organisers of what has now become one of the highlights of the traditional calendar.
On the question of waltzes I forgot to mention the Tribes, another great céilí band, who included one of Marcus Hernon's own composiions in their programme - an outstanding tune that reinforces the case for inclusion of 3/4 pieces in céilí band repertoires.
Nice to see a set of pipes in the winning band as well as a concertina .But why should it seem surprizing that there was so much agreement between the audience and the judges . Am I missing something here ?
Bannerman ,
You said the judges and the audiences views were combined . I would be very interested what the judges views were ,without the audiances points . Also who had the greatest say ?
I find it interesting that the audience did not vote for the local band but the judges obviously did !
Now you say there wasn't any crowd support for the Ennis band and indeed it is clear why. For my money the best sounding band was the Galway Oranmore band.
I liked them best because they arranged and played their tunes in an original and interesting way as well as sounding really nice for dancing.
The judges were:
John Lynch - Kilfenora CB
Atracta Brady - Longridge CB
Ossian MacDiarmada - Inisfree CB & Téada
Martin Hayes - ex Tulla CB
Lots of céilí band experience there!
Audience counted as the fifth adjudicator. The audience choice (Haymakers) were a Clare band. As for the Oranmore CB, they weren't there and Galway were represented by the Tribes who were very good. The other Clare band, the Cottage, who weren't placed were also excellent
Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Winners at last night's céilí bands competition at the Ennis Trad Fest were as follows:-
First: Ceoltóirí na Manistreach (Ennis) - see http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_216_6_ceoltoiri_na_mainistreach_hornpipes_and_reels/
Second: Tribes (Galway)
Third: Corofin
Fourth: Haymakers
Fifth: Awbeg - see http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_222_3_awbeg_ceili_band/
This was a great competition where each of the nine bands were excellent and all had their own distinctive styles. The atmosphere in the capacity packed hall was electric aided by the fact that, uniquely, the audience also had a vote in deciding the outcome. In fact there was a degree of agreement between the audience and adjudicators in that their choice of bands, with one notable exception, were the same but in a different order as follows:
First: Haymakers (exception)
Second: Corofin
Third: Tribes
Fourth: Awbeg
The Haymakers were a highly entertaining and surprise entry in that some of their members would have been "very senior" and their music was, to me, reminiscent of the céili bands of yesteryear - one of their selections was a waltze, something that would have been very common at céili dances back in the fifties and sixties. This band also had some great local musicians in their ranks who included the versatile Quentin Cooper (on banjo), Andrew McNamara, Mark Donnellan and Geraldine Cotter on piano.
In conclusion this was a great night to conclude a fantastic weekend and congratulations to the organisers of what has now become one of the highlights of the traditional calendar.
# Posted on November 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
The Haymakers were fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.
# Posted on November 12th 2007 by SL*
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
On the question of waltzes I forgot to mention the Tribes, another great céilí band, who included one of Marcus Hernon's own composiions in their programme - an outstanding tune that reinforces the case for inclusion of 3/4 pieces in céilí band repertoires.
# Posted on November 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Nice to see a set of pipes in the winning band as well as a concertina .But why should it seem surprizing that there was so much agreement between the audience and the judges . Am I missing something here ?
# Posted on November 12th 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
On second thoughts maybe the consensus isn't as total as it first appears - the winning band didn't feature in the audience's list!
# Posted on November 12th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Bannerman ,
You said the judges and the audiences views were combined . I would be very interested what the judges views were ,without the audiances points . Also who had the greatest say ?
I find it interesting that the audience did not vote for the local band but the judges obviously did !
David
# Posted on November 13th 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Is this video from 2006 or 2007?
Now you say there wasn't any crowd support for the Ennis band and indeed it is clear why. For my money the best sounding band was the Galway Oranmore band.
I liked them best because they arranged and played their tunes in an original and interesting way as well as sounding really nice for dancing.
# Posted on November 13th 2007 by Schlongbow
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
The judges were:
John Lynch - Kilfenora CB
Atracta Brady - Longridge CB
Ossian MacDiarmada - Inisfree CB & Téada
Martin Hayes - ex Tulla CB
Lots of céilí band experience there!
Audience counted as the fifth adjudicator. The audience choice (Haymakers) were a Clare band. As for the Oranmore CB, they weren't there and Galway were represented by the Tribes who were very good. The other Clare band, the Cottage, who weren't placed were also excellent
# Posted on November 13th 2007 by Bannerman
Re: Ennis Céilí Band Champions
Thanks for that Bannerman .It goes to show what a subjective thing it is to judge a competition
# Posted on November 15th 2007 by bazouki dave