Kingscourt band's trip leaves audiences Hungary for more

St Mary's Brass & Reed Band's trip to Hungary in August could truly be described as a 'Heavenly Hungarian Rhapsody'. The band party of 45 departed Kingscourt in the early hours and once established at the Atlas Hotel, Budapest immediately set to work with a full rehearsal session and then off to the famous Budapest Thermal Baths. The city of Budapest sits on a thin layer of earth above geothermal springs - which power its many baths. Here band chairperson, PJ Finn and Anthony Farrelly, the band's in-house photographer, floated blissfully in the warm water surrounded by intellectuals and Speedo-clad elder statesmen standing in chest-high water pondering their next moves on the floating chessboards! The band performed a total of four concerts in three days, the first of which being an outdoor concert at Esztergom, on the Slovakian border. To a packed Promenade beside the Cathedral the band preformed a morning recital of Irish airs, jazz, rock 'n' roll and many classical pieces. Following a leisurely stroll across the Danube Bridge into Slovakia the band party returned in the afternoon to nearby Dorog, once a very active coal-mining town, that retains an impressive theatre and cultural centre built for the miners. The Kingscourt band joined with the Dorog Wind Band in a joint concert conducted in turn by Lorcan Daly and István Zagyi. The 'Concerto for Drum Set and Concert Band' where Paddy McKeon, Kevin Smith and Brendan Rooney excelled, proved a real crowd pleaser. Chloe Smith's vocal skills provided a powerful rendition of 'Don't it make my Brown Eyes Blue'. Kingscourt's unique rendition of 'Lord of the Dance' with a 'Riverdance' performance by Sinead O'Connor, Siobhan Farrelly and Mairead Farrelly was received with exceptional exuberance. Grainne and Tomas Smith performed all that is best in 'Trad' music. Kingscourt Band was pleasantly surprised to see a favourable review in the Hungarian national newspaper and the local TV station broadcast an in-depth interview with members of the band. The band performed at Buda Castle and large crowds made their way over to enjoy the performance. At the 'steppe' region in Eastern Hungary, the band was entertained at a spectacular horse-riding show by horsemen in traditional dress and enjoyed an outdoor dinner with live 'gypsy' music. The trip to Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe at 80km long and subsequent outdoor concert proved a huge success. With all the band's playing commitments concluded the band party got a chance to enjoy the attractions of Budapest and in particular the ship cruise on the River Danube. The band was treated to a tour of Margaret Island and experienced some spectacular views, such as the magnificent Budapest parliament. Budapest offers breathtaking old world grandeur and thriving cultural life. The band's next stop in Visegrad gave the younger band members the opportunity to test their skills at 'bobsledding' and at the nearby Solomon Tower the band was escorted to the tower by medieval costumed drummers. After a short history lesson the inauguration of the 'King' Kevin Smith and 'Queen' Rosemarie Shields took place and the court jester Richard Teague was appointed. After the band had tried their luck at crossbow and arrow and dagger throwing, and with no obvious injuries, everyone retired to the Renaissance Restaurant where a sumptuous 'Royal Feast' was enjoyed. Credit goes to each and every band member who proved to be exemplary ambassadors for their country and not forgetting the non-playing committee members who served as very professional 'roadies' and greatly added to the success of this tour. Thanks to the Kingscourt band's many sponsors, helpers and fundraisers who made this tour financially possible and to the hardworking band committee members for all the months of organisation in preparation for a superb action-packed trip. Kingscourt band is the first Irish Band to tour Hungary and the standards achieved in and out of uniform was highly acclaimed all who the band encountered.