St. Patrick's Band is making an appeal to Galway City Council
for an increase in its allocation of the annual band grant.
This grant has not increased very much over the years. The band
is a voluntary organisation and provides Galway with a brass
band, music teachers and music facilities.
The band is also requesting the City Council for a subvention
under the Arts fund. It is unique in Ireland, we believe, in
that it has placed its Bandroom at the disposal of music organisations
and other cultural groups in Galway. Groups that use 'the Bandroom',
with its purpose built hall, include the Galway Baroque Singers,
the Galway Choral Association including the Galway Boys Choir,
the Galway Concert Orchestra, other bands such as the Black
Magic Jazz Band and the West Wind Quintet.
The Galway City Partnership is currently running an Access
Music Programme there for the unemployed. A regular subvention
under the Arts fund may help the band install a new heating
system suitable for the groups that use the premises replacing
the blow heat system. (The band of necessity continues to fund-raise
for new instruments, uniforms and other musical equipment).
There are regular enquiries to St. Patrick's Band for use of
the Bandroom for piano teachers and teaching. The Band is willing
to house a piano of the proper standard for the groups using
the Bandroom and for teachers. Music examinations could also
be held there. Again the City Council will be approached by
the Band for a once off payment for such a piano.
The Band continues to thrive and the foresight of its founding
fathers in securing the Bandroom ensures that St. Patrick's
Band continues in the twenty-first century.
