The Loch Garman Band Hall in Wexford is not far from the National Opera House in Wexford and John Clancy is its musical director where the band recently celebrated its 80th anniversary.
Loch Garman Band – 80 Years of Unbroken Voluntary Service to the Community.
John Clancy – Musical Director – Loch Garman Band
John Clancy – Musical Director – Co. Loch Garman Youth Band.
John Clancy was born in 1943 and is the son of the late Johnny Clancy, founder member and conductor of the Loch Garman Band for 30 years.
At the age of 10 John began his music career with the Band and soon developed into an accomplished multi-instrumentalist of brass and woodwind, which he showed to great effect in local dance orchestras, show bands, orchestras for light opera, pantomime and school operettas.
This talent was further highlighted by winning best instrumentalist and premier awards at Arklow Music Festival, Tops of the Town, and others.
In 1984 John became conductor and MD of the Loch Garman Band and under his leadership over the last 34 years, the Loch Garman Band has achieved unprecedented national and international success both on the concert platform and in contest, including 10 Regional and 6 National Titles – inclusive of 4 in a row 1989 to 1992.
Five soloists directed by John have between them won 10 Regional Solo Championships, 3 Solo Championships at Arklow Festival and the Premier soloist award at National Feis Ceol.
As national champions in 1997 the Loch Garman Band under Johns` leadership represented Ireland in the European Brass Band Championship hosted by the LSO at the Barbican Centre London, securing 2nd place.
He has also directed many radio and TV performances for both RTE and BBC and the essential CD recordings. (See listing below).
Johns most recent project is the founding and development of a Youth Brass Band for County Wexford. Formed in 2011 the Youth Band is mentored under Johns directorship together with a team of voluntary instructors. The first public appearance of the Youth Band was in November 2012 in the National Opera House. They have since performed programmes of sacred music at local churches and participated as guests at various concerts helping to raise funds for – Faythe School Special Needs Programme, Mercy School Playground Equipment, Scout Hall Building Fund, Parish Funds and Crumlin Children’s Hospital. In January 2017 they were featured on Irish TVs Wexford County Matters and are now preparing to take part in the 4th County Wexford Youth Orchestra Fest 2018 in the National Opera House.
Currently there are 25 members between 10 and 17 years of age in training, 8 of which have graduated into the Loch Garman Senior Band.
Each member has been equipped with an instrument and training material. We could not provide these facilities without the on-going support of the people of Wexford, our Borough Council, individual contributions and Arts Council.
His fellow band members say he is a great task master, a wonderful producer and everyone loves him. He is an inspiration to both young and old. Peter Murphy said he is a very special man. Tony Hynes knows John for 60 years and said he has the patience of a saint.
To have a good band it is a combined effort on everyone’s behalf, but you have to have a great leader and motivator and that’s John Clancy. He can motivate both the senior and junior members. He gives people the gift of music. Even at home he is always arranging music and with the changing times, this has gone from musical sheets to the computer.
A well deserving winner, John was totally speechless on being the Outstanding Achievements Award winner for February. He said it is a hobby and a lifelong enjoyment. He lives, eats and sleeps music and is most definitely a well deserving winner.
Overview of Performances directed by John Clancy
Radio Broadcasts
RTE Bandstand Programme 1989,- Joe Duffy Show 1996,- Irish Music at Christmas 1998
BBC – Listen To The Band 1998.
TV Appearances
RTE Bibi Baskin Show 1998 – Christmas Festival at Rowe Street 1999
BBC Songs of Praise 1989
Irish TV – Youth Band 2017
Recordings
In the Spotlight, Doyen Recordings 1993, – Listen to the Band BBC 1998.
Example of Key Concert Performances
National Concert Hall 2000
National Opera House (2014 & ongoing)
Festival Brass Concert Series Wexford
Sacred & Classical Concert Series Wexford
Wales – Cardiff 1992 – Goodwick, 1989,90,92,94,96
Switzerland – Zurick 1990
Christmas Concerts in Rowe Street from 1992 to 2017
Wexford Festival Opera
Off-stage band for Rising of the Moon – 1990
Competition
Regional Brass Champions – 11 Times with 3 hat tricks between 1988 – 2000
Overall Winners Regional Championships – 7 Times with 5 in a row between 1996 – 2000
Regional Soloist Champion – 10 Times with 5 in a row between 1996 – 2000
National Champions – 5 Times with 4 in a row between 1989 – 1996
European Championship 1997 – 2nd Place