Garda Band

"The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it, whether he's got an abscess on his knee or on his soul."
Rona Barrett

On a recent Friday February night these words, clearly visible over the stage of the Brandon Conference Centre, for a concert given by The Garda Band, and organised in association with the Lions Club, focused the audience's attention on the charity towards which the 10 euro entrance fee was going - the Irish Association of Suicidology.

This extremely worthy cause is one which is close to the hearts of the Gardai, who have to deal with the effects of suicide at close quarters and, sadly, on an increasingly regular basis. It also proved a strong draw for the people of Tralee and beyond as the Conference Centre was packed to capacity.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the turn out," said Organiser Dave Rath, a Tralee-based community Garda and former Garda Brass Band member. "We have over 1300 people here which is way more than we could have hoped for, everybody from the band to the audience loved the event and more importantly we raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause."

From the minute they came on, the band generated the irresistibly upbeat, smile-inducing, heart-warming atmosphere that only a really good brass band can create. First was the popular “Old Comrades March”, then a rousing Al Jolson medley, delivered with gusto, instantly showing the audience that The Garda Band now have vocally as well as instrumentally talented people. A lively traditional flute arrangement which closely followed, called “Sarah’s Delight”, was played by a very gifted flautist to a virtuoso bongo accompaniment, making for a very exciting and impressive number.

The quality was sustained throughout the whole performance, never flagging at any point. The audience was mostly mature, no doubt fondly remembering the many appearances of the Garda Band on the streets of Tralee for the Rose of Tralee festival, and purring with delighted recognition as well-loved titles were introduced.

There is something very disarming (pardon the pun) about a Garda Band performance. I think it's the combination of the stern Garda Siochána-like implacability that is generally maintained but which breaks into spontaneous outbursts of good-humoured laughter in between numbers.

Dave Rath also invited the Gospel Choir of the Redeemed Christian Church of Tralee along on the night to sing a few songs. With most of the choir, including singers and a young keyboardist, coming from Nigeria, the African flavoured melodies with light-hearted harmonies and up-tempo rhythms were performed with reverance, sincerity and style.

When it was all over, after the performers had received a standing ovation, I chatted to Shegu, one of the members of the Gospel Choir, and asked him how he'd enjoyed the night. "It was the best concert I’ve been at in years," he said.

Dave Rath agreed entirely saying, "I've never seen The Garda Band receive a warmer reception at any performance. It was a joy to behold."