Drogheda Brass Band has had many great days, however, Sunday 22nd May 2011 will rank as one of the most historic as the band officially opens its new state-of-the-art bandroom. This will signal the end of the band’s search for a new home and the beginning of a new era for one of Drogheda’s oldest organisations. To celebrate, the band – who were recently crowned National Champions for the fifth year in succession – will host a free concert in the TLT at 3pm, following which Mayor Paul Bell will officially open the band’s new home in the East Coast Business Park.
The new facility, which was designed by local architect Declan Walsh, boasts over 4000 sq. ft. of floor space and represents the end of a decade-long search for a new home and secures the future of a true Drogheda institution. The band was formed in 1886 as the Colonel Leonard Fife and Drum Band, named after a local man who was a colonel in the Confederate Army in the American Civil War. They became known as the Drogheda Brass and Reed Band having purchased instruments from the disbanding Band of the Leinster Regiment of the British Army, who were based at Millmount Barracks. This formation remained until 1964 when the present all-brass format was adopted and it became the Drogheda Brass Band. Throughout the years, the band has represented the town with distinction throughout Ireland and abroad, and founded the Drogheda Pantomime, Drogheda Horse Show and St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The band moved temporarily to rehearse in St Joesph’s CBS, Sunday’s Gate while the new building was completed and finally moved to their new home last summer – the official opening was originally planned for last December but was cancelled due to the bad weather. The move coincides with the most successful period in the band’s history – they are currently ranked as the best brass band in the country having been crowned National Champions for the last five years. In this time, they have also won the North of Ireland National Championships and have represented Ireland at the European Brass Band Championships.
“We’ve a great group of players and a wonderful conductor in Michael Maher,” according to chairman Tony Collins. “Having such a committed conductor and group of players allowed the committee to concentrate on the building project safe in the knowledge that the band would continue developing musically.”
Although the move from the old bandroom on George’s St was tinged with sadness, it offered an opportunity that couldn’t be ignored according to secretary Michael Plunkett. “It was a difficult decision – the old building had a lot of history as it was our home for a century, however, we’re extremely committed to developing the band and school of music. The old bandroom was simply no longer suitable, we needed a larger premises.”
The band has run a very successful school of music since 1981 with many past students playing and teaching professionally in Ireland and abroad. Their most successful alumnus is Richard Rock who still maintains a very strong relationship with the band. “Richard has written several pieces for the band,” says conductor Michael Maher. “Most notably a piece entitled “Island of the Setting Sun” based on a book about Drogheda written by band member Anthony Murphy. Richard currently writes music for some of the world’s top brass bands and plays with one of the most famous bands in the world – Hammonds Saltaire in Yorkshire. He has written a piece entitled “Drogheda Band Fanfare and Theme: Dawn of a New Age” which is dedicated to the band and will be the highlight of the celebration concert.”
In the future, the band can produce even more top class players according to director of the band’s school of music Barry Maher. “Richard’s success is an inspiration to everyone in our band, especially the students. We’ve great teachers and very talented students at the moment so I’m confident there’ll be some very good players coming from the school in the near future.”
Classes are taught in drums and tuned percussion as well as brass instruments. Students sit grade exams set and independently examined by the prestigious Trinity Guildhall School of Music, London. They perform in concerts and competitions throughout the year before eventually they join the senior band.
“Our aim is to make music affordable and enjoyable, we provide a book and instrument rental scheme and students learn in groups which makes the classes enjoyable for the student and the wonderful volunteer teachers. The new bandroom means we can teach more students in a safe, modern environment. That was the main motivation for the move,” says treasurer Emma Hearty.
Concert
The celebration concert will be held in the TLT, East Coast Business Park on Sunday 22nd May at 3pm and will feature the senior band and school of music, as well as several soloists and guests from abroad. The concert will be followed by the official opening reception in the new bandroom at East Coast Business Park, Donore Road at 5pm. Admission is free to both concert and reception and the band strongly encourage all supporters, ex-members and anyone who would like to hear the National Champions on top form to attend and join in the celebrations.
