DFB Pipe Band and NAS Pipes and Drums join forces
The Dublin Fire Brigade - Pipe Band and the National Ambulance Service - Pipes and Drums played together at two prestigious concerts in the O2 last December. The massed bands supported André Rieu, the internationally acclaimed Dutch violinist, conductor, and composer along with his Johann Strauss Orchestra.
In October 2012 Frans Neus from André Rieu productions in Maastricht, Nederlands made contact with the then Secretary of the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band Tom Mc Loughlin with a view to performing with Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra at the 02 in Dublin for two nights on the 9th and 10th of December.
The initial request was to provide a band to perform two tunes, Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace to a capacity crowd of 9,500 each night. This was a great opportunity to put on a good show with a big band, so Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band decided to make contact with our colleagues from the National Ambulance Service Pipes and Drums to see if they would be interested in joining bands for the concerts. The offer was immediately accepted and the Pipes and Drums were delighted to take part.
This was the coming together of the two bands and as we had not played together before it was necessary to put in some preparation and practice over the weeks prior to the concerts. Monday nights were spent in the DFB training centre, the O Brien Institute in Marino which included our Cork colleagues making the trip just to practice, great credit to them.
Concert night was soon upon us; we arrived at the 02 early in the day for sound checks, meet the crew and prepare. The concert began at 8pm to a packed 02. It was close to 10pm before the Pipes and Drums of the DFB and NAS entered into the crowd playing Scotland the Brave to a tremendous reception. Through the crowd and up the steps onto the stage, bass drummers move gingerly for fear of falling. The tune ends to the crowd on their feet applauding.
Andre Rieu then starts into Amazing Grace before being joined by the pipes and drums, what a sound, the crowd loved it. The bands remained on stage for the finale joining in with the fun. Show ends and a great night had by all. The following night was a repeat and equally enjoyable.
These concerts were not only a great opportunity to perform with a big name in Andre Rieu at a large venue to capacity crowds but a coming together of the two bands from the two services were friendship was made and will continue.
(Jonathon Forbes – Secretary, Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band)