Busy Comhaltas prepares to host Navan concert

Comhaltas branches throughout the county have been getting back into full swing after the summer holidays with music classes, sessions and céilís. Traditional music has been gaining in strength in the county for many years now with almost 500 learners attending classes throughout the county from beginners up to the more experienced players. Apart from the success of many of our young players who have gone on to win top awards, play in public events and appear on radio and TV, every student is encouraged to learn, practice and participate at whatever level suits them best, and most important of all, enjoy themselves. Branches in Meath are to be found in Ashbourne, Enfield, Dunboyne, Trim, Dunderry/Athboy, Navan, Oldcastle, Ughtyneill and Nobber/Kilmainhamwood, so everybody is probably within 10 miles of a branch of Comhaltas. Beginners usually start off with one of the less demanding instruments such as the tin whistle and as they make progress may decide to advance to a flute, accordion, concertina, fiddle, banjo, pipes and so on. There"s plenty of room also for bodhrán players, singers, story tellers and dancers. The Navan branch (Craobh na hUaimhe) classes take place in Beaufort College on Thursday evenings, with a junior 'session evening" once a month at a local venue. Senior members also participate in three different weekly pub sessions - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Information about the Navan classes / sessions or contacts for any of the other branches may be obtained by phoning Bill Slattery (046) 902 8731 or Jim Murphy (046) 902 5522. In addition to learning the music, there is also an exciting programme of musical events to look forward to over the coming months in different venues throughout the county. One of the major shows will be the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí tour of Ireland concert at the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on Saturday 25th October. This will be the third year running that the show comes to Navan, and features up to 30 of Ireland"s top musicians in a spectacular extravaganza of music song and dance. Members of the audience, who were not normally strong followers of traditional music, commented after the previous two years that they couldn"t believe how much they enjoyed the show, and how wonderful it was to see so many talented young people performing and obviously enjoying themselves too.