The Lourdes Band will be holding their annual Solo & Ensemble competitions on Sunday 3rd March, commencing at 11am. Once again we can expect the highest level of musical talent to be on display from our members, with competitors from the Lourdes “School of Music”, “Lourdes Youth Band” and the Lourdes “Senior Band” all showing their musical skills.

The adjudicator for the event is Mr. Jon Clifford

Jon Clifford studied trombone and euphonium at the Royal Academy of Music, London, from 1983 to 1987 under Harold Nash (Covent Garden) and Michael Hext (LPO). During this time he gained an ARCM (Perf), LRAM (Teacher), GRSM and DipRAM (Orch) and was also awarded the Sidney Langston and Aubrey Brain prizes.

After graduating from college Jon had trial periods with the Bournemouth and BBC Concert Orchestras, eventually becoming sub principal and later principal trombone with the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, a position he held until 2005/6. Upon leaving the SBO Jon has been freelancing with the RTE, Ulster, Wexford Opera, Irish Chamber Orchestras and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club.

Jon began lecturing in trombone at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2001 and in 2011 at the Defence Forces School of Music. In 2012 he was appointed Music Director of the Ballymore Eustace Brass and Reed Band and has also conducted the DIT Concert Band. More recently Jon has coached the brass section of the Dublin Youth Orchestra.

We very much look forward to receiving jon’s remarks and constructive comments to assist us in our musical development.

All Parents, family and friends are very welcome to come along and enjoy the musical entertainment. There is no spectator fee as we are running the event free for all to enjoy.

Best of luck to all the competitors.`