Group Picture of the Civic Reception for The Holy Family Confraternity Concert Band 90th Anniversary. Pic: Nicola Reddy
A DELIGHTFUL evening of nostalgia and looking to the future was celebrated at the Irish National Heritage Park recently, when a civic reception was held for Wexford’s Holy Family Confraternity (HFC) band.
Members both new and long-established gathered with local dignitaries and others at the charming venue, where they were the toast of Mayor Cllr. Frank Staples and others.
Formed in 1926 to play music for Christmas, the band recently celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Impressively, it has performed music at churches in the town every Christmas Day, without fail, for each of its 90 years in existence to date.
Spokesperson Alan Mahon described how, while there’s a common misconception that the band was formed to play music in churches, music group actually weren’t permitted to perform inside church buildings until around the time the Second Vatican Council was held in the 1960s.
Eucharistic processions, including to Wexford’s Marian Shrine each May, have also played been an important feature of the band’s annual events’ calendars.
For fifty years, from 1942 to 1992, members were under the baton of esteemed conductor Paddy Parle.
Michael Curran was the next man in charge, followed by Paul Glynn.
Since 2014 / 2015, members have excelled under the baton of Louise Malone.
Just a few years ago, the band’s numbers had slackened down to just seven or eight.
A decision to take to local schools in a recruitment drive since, however, has proved a very successful plan.
As Mr. Mahon concluded, “the future definitely looks bright.”
Read more in the Wexford Echo.