Arrowhead Band to Visit Ireland Over Spring Break

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The band students are leaving for Ireland on April 6th

On April 6, 2017, the members of Arrowhead’s chamber strings, symphonic band, and wind ensemble will be traveling to Ireland. From the 6th to the 12th, the band students will partake in a performance tour through Dublin, Limerick, and Killarney.

On April 8th, students will play at the University of Limerick Concert hall, and on April 10th they will be at the National Concert Hall in Dublin with the Dublin Concert Band.

Stephanie Quint, a Junior at Arrowhead High School, says there are about 100 students going on the trip.

Quint says, “I’m really excited to perform in a different country and to be in  Ireland with my friends. We get time to roam around three different cities (Dublin, Limerick, and Killarney).”

According to dublinconcertband.com, “For almost 60 years, DCB has provided wonderful musical entertainment for its audiences both at home and abroad and over that same time well over 1,000 talented and enthusiastic musicians have passed through the doors of DCB. Many have gone on to become professional musicians whilst all have enjoyed the wonderful social and musical experience that membership of DCB brings.”

The Arrowhead band students will also partake in a clinic with Helena Wood, a concertmaster of the RTE National Symphony, which is the Irish National Symphony. According to Wood’s website, helenawood.com, she is regarded as one of the finest violinists of her generation.

AHS students will also experience a clinic with the director of Winds, Brass, and Percussion, Fergus O’Carroll, at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. O’Carroll holds a Masters Degree in Music from CIT Cork School of Music.

The Royal Irish Academy of music was founded in 1848, making it Ireland’s oldest musical institution. According to the Royal Irish Academy’s website, “The Teaching Staff includes many international and national prizewinners, members of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and many individuals whose names have become synonymous with music education in Ireland.” Many of their students often go on to further study at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music in London and Juilliard in New York.

Contact band directors, Jacob Polancich ([email protected]) or Stacy Zwirlein ([email protected]) for more information.