From A Priest to a Lambeg Drum
Saturday 9thApril saw the fruits of many months of hard work on stage at ‘A Gala Performance for Ards’ in the beautiful Ulster Hall, Belfast and certainly delivered on its promise to be “one night to remember – for a concert you’ll never forget!” A standing ovation following the massed finale, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” testified to the variety and range of talent that Ards can boast.
The Gala Performance was in aid of the Mayor of Ards’ charity, The Link Family and Community Centre and it brought together over 200 performers from right across the Ards community to showcase the wealth of musical talent in the town. From the polished professional soloists to the youngest school child starting out on their musical training, A Gala Performance for Ards celebrated the cultural diversity of the town and offered a glimpse of how well the Ards community work together regardless of age, tradition and background.
Soloists Fr. Martin O’Hagan, Diane Petherick and Jeff Anderson drew on musical styles from irish traditional through musical theatre to jazz and classical. The audience also enjoyed St. Finian’s Primary School’s Edelweiss with Father Martin and Londonderry Primary School’s colourful performance of excerpts from ‘The Jungle Book’. Andrew Doherty led Regent House’s wind band in an exciting and professional programme of pop and big band jazz classics and Movilla High’s traditional Ulster Scots medleys, including Jake Magill’s drum solo had the audience on the edge of their seats. Ards Choral Society demonstrated their versatility, with selections from Gershwin as well as Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus (accompanied by Noel Williamson on the magnificent Mulholland Organ) marking the start and end of the concert’s first half.
Representatives of The Link were on hand to sell programmes and talk about the work of the charity. Audience members were also able to learn about an upcoming trip that some young people will be taking to Hungary, to participate in a football tournament and learn about other cultures. A team of willing volunteers helped backstage and in the preparation of a mountain of sandwiches and numerous cups of tea and coffee for the huge cast. Diane Holt, the Director of The Link, said of the concert; “Our aim in having this event was to celebrate the talent and cultural diversity in Ards. But we had such a good time in doing it, and from the feedback I have had, people left the Ulster Hall feeling uplifted and encouraged! As Van Morrison says – ‘Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time’!”
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Mayor, Councillor David Smyth and his team at Ards Borough Council and all of the schools and choirs who did so much to make the evening such a success. We are particularly grateful to Peninsula Print and Design, Northern Bank (Ards Branch) and T.G. Eakin for their generous sponsorship of the event.
