Gormanston Summer School

Gormanston Summer School Of Music

Gormanston College in County Meath will be remembered with great fondness by many bandsmen and women throughout the length and breath of Ireland, as it was the location for a summer school run by the Irish band association.

“Gormo” as it was fondly known, was the brainchild of Paddy Murray of the Post Office Workers Union Band and Jack Regan of Navan Silver Band. Both men were great friends and they had attended a similar course in England which was given by the famous Allan Street. They were so impressed that they decided to try and start a Summer School of Music in Ireland.

The first Summer School was held in 1961 and was run by the North East Region of the Band Association. The organisers were Joe Shiels Drogheda Brass Band, Alfie Duggan Ardee, Sam Bedford Steadfast Shoes Brass Band Carrickmacross and Jack Regan, all representatives in the North East Region. Together with Paddy Murray and a gentleman named Dick Williams of R+W Williams, 22 Eustace St, Dublin, who were instrument repairers and suppliers of instruments and sheet music. These men enlisted Alan Street who brought along a young man with him named Archie Hutchison. The rest as they say is history. Allan, Archie and Paddy Murray were tutors in Gormo for many years.

The summer school was very successful and ran for many years the last being in the late 1990s. At its peak there were over 120 students attending. Many bands people from the North-East Region took up the mantle to organise it over the years. Many well-known names were tutors and indeed many current well known musicians attended the course as youngsters. So all in all it has left a great legacy.

Over the years many bands people have expressed an interest in a summer school. The executive are delighted to welcome back Liam Daly to conduct once again this year. Liam will conduct the concert band. We are also delighted to confirm that Archie Hutchison will come to conduct the brass band. 

The dates for 2017 are Wednesday 16th August until Sunday 20th August. If you are interested please contact Fiona Reilly iabcbsecretary@gmail.com for more details.

See attached form for more information!