The University of Iowa Ireland Concert Band
To perform in Mayo together with the Mayo Concert Orchestra
Tuesday March 13th, GMIT, Mayo Campus
In what promises to be a superb evening of music, the Iowa University Concert Band will perform on Tuesday March 13th, in addition to the Mayo Concert Orchestra. The concert will take place in the GMIT Mayo Campus, Castlebar, and is a rare opportunity to experience this group, as the Mayo date is one of only two of their performances in Ireland. Together with the Mayo Concert Orchestra, they promise to raise the roof of the fantastic St. Mary’s Hall!
The concert is presented by the Mayo International Choral Festival who were approached two years ago to facilitate this group in the west of Ireland. Arrangements have been ongoing since then by the Festival Producer, Declan Durcan, and the festival committee. The concert band will visit Mayo at the start of St Patrick’s week, and will perform a few days later in Tyrone, with their tour culminating at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.
The University of Iowa Ireland Concert Band
The band comprises of 50 musicians, the majority of whom are university students representing a wide range of majors including music, English, human physiology and international studies. With all of their diverse interests and backgrounds, it has been their passion for music that has brought them together. Their concert programme is an enjoyable blend of American and Irish musical selections including The Symphonic Gershwin, Solas Ane, The Rakes of Mallow, The Green Glens of Antrim, Declaration Overture, and 76 Trombones.
The concert band will be conducted by Richard Mark Heidel and Kevin Kastens.
Richard Mark Heidel
Richard Mark Heidel is Director of Bands and Professor of Music in the School of Music at the University where he conducts the Symphony Band, teaches graduate courses in conducting and wind band literature, guides the graduate band conducting program, and oversees the University of Iowa band program.
Kevin Kastens
Kevin Kastens is Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band. As a professor in the School of Music he teaches marching band techniques, band arranging and conducts the Concert Band. He is active as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Kastens has had numerous articles published on various topics of instrumental music education.
The Mayo Concert Orchestra
It’s been a very busy few months for the orchestra, which has included a performance at the innovative ‘Symphonic Dance’ DJ and Orchestra colloboration at Christmas and again scheduled for 31st March, and rehearsals each week. Directed by Kathy Fahey, the orchestra, through rehearsals, concerts, lessons and church performances, strives to bring musical synergy to its members and friends, by providing opportunities for amateur musicians to perform together and in public for the entertainment of all.
The repertoire of music is varied from recognisable classical, to instrumental and film music, to current chart pieces. The Chairman of the Mayo Concert Orchestra, Tom Kelly, at a recent concert briefing, thanked and praised Declan Durcan and Frank Murray, Chairman of the Mayo International Choral Festival and the festival committee, in facilitating this concert in the West of Ireland and stated how the Mayo Concert Orchestra members were delighted to be involved and were really looking forward to the event.
Tuesday 13th March at 8pm, GMIT Mayo Campus, Castlebar
Admission: Adults: €10, Students and U12’s: €5
Tickets from Downtown Records, Castlebar and Westport
Or online from Eventbrite
(additional online ticketing-operator service fees apply)
Or phone 086 2658038Â or 086 3024170
Or on the door.
Proceeds to the Mayo Concert Orchestra and the Mayo International Choral Festival.