Drogheda Brass Band School of Music is seeking new members for immediate enrolment. This is an exciting opportunity to join the national brass band champions of Ireland (three years running). See poster and information leaflet attached.

School of Music

The principal aim of our School of Music is to provide the people of Drogheda and surrounding areas with an opportunity to enjoy music in a safe, affordable, fun and educational environment. Over the years many past and current members have developed careers from the skills we provide. Many have become professional players, composers and music teachers. All our current teachers either hold or are preparing for third level music/teaching qualifications. This combined with the incredible success of our senior band proves that we succeed in developing skills to help students progress in whatever musical genres they choose.
Our main challenge is making the extremely expensive (and often elitist) area of Music Education accessible, affordable and enjoyable for students. We currently charge a minimal annually fee (with Family Discount and Standing Order Discount options available). For this highly competitive price you receive the following:
1. Entry to our book scheme for all brass instruments (this includes tutor books, grade pieces, solo and group music for concerts and competitions).

2. Entry to our instrument rental scheme – all students receive brass instruments from the band.

3. Subsidised visits by professional brass tutors.

4. Subsidised competition entries.

5. Internationally-recognised grade examinations examined and certified by Trinity Guildhall, London.

6. Preparation for practical elements of Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations.

We also prioritise safety and have developed a fully comprehensive child protection policy (copy available on request). We provide group learning which children find very enjoyable, and hold regular parties for students.

CONTACT:
Email: barry.maher@gmail.com
info@droghedabrassband.org
Mobile: Barry on 086-0777355

On Thursday 30th April a party of over 40 members and supporters travelled to Ostend, Belgium where we represented Ireland as National Champions in the B Section of the European Brass Band Championships, run by the European Brass Band Association and hosted by Vlamo (the Flemish Band Association).
We stayed in the Hotel Ter Kade and rehearsed on Thursday evening and Friday in nearby Celtic Ireland, before going to the magnificent Kursaal Hall contest venue on Saturday 2nd May. Our section began at 9am and as we were drawn to play first of six bands it meant an early start for everyone, but also gave us the distinction of playing the world premiere performance of the specially-commissioned test piece “Catedrales” by Bert Appermont. This extremely complex piece attempts to recreate the wide variety of sounds (including echo-effects) one could expect to hear in any of the world’s great cathedrals.
Under conductor Michael Maher we opened our programme with “The Plantagenets” by Edward Gregson – a major musical depiction of England during the reign of the Plantagenet kings – which we had also played when completing out hat-trick of National Championships a fortnight earlier in Cork. We followed this with “Catedrales”, and closed the programme with Richard Rock’s “Island of the Setting Sun”. This piece has particular connotations for us as Drogheda-native Richard is a former solo horn player with the band who is carving out a successful career as a player, composer and arranger in England, and the piece takes its title from a book of the same name by one of our euphonium players, Anthony Murphy, from a quotation of Amergin, who is buried locally at Millmount.
In the afternoon some members went off on sightseeing trips in Ostend and nearby Bruges, while others (gluttons for punishment!) returned to the hall to hear some of the world’s top bands perform in the professional A section. A great day was rounded off in front of the big screen watching Leinster thrash Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final, before going back to the hall (again!) for the Gala Concert and Results.
The other bands in our section were 3BA Brass (Germany), Brass Band Wipptal (Italy), Austrian Brass Band of the University of Music & Performing Arts, Graz (Austria), Murley Silver Band (Northern Ireland) and Brass Band Senjorai (Lithuania). The standard was, as expected, extremely high especially from winners 3BA Brass and the Italians and Austrians who were placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In recent years the Irish have understandably been the whipping-boys of this contest given the gulf in standard – and financial & educational support – between Irish bands and our continental cousins, but on this occasion Drogheda rose to the challenge with a fine performance and were unlucky to be just pipped for 4th place by Murley. 5th place in our section of the most prestigious brass band contest in the world against bands mainly comprised of professional and academy players is a wonderful achievement for a genuine town band, and one of which we are extremely proud.
Having won the National title again we qualify for next year’s European contest in Linz, Austria. Whether we go is a decision for another day – for now we’ll savour the memories of Ostend.

There are also two different galleries available. View them here:

http://www.droghedabrassband.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2886

http://www.pbase.com/troonly/2009_ebba

SEE THE FULL PICTURE GALLERY HERE!

http://www.droghedabrassband.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1937

DROGHEDA Brass Band made their own piece of history at Cork School of Music on Sunday last as they captured the section one title at the National Brass Band Championships for the third year running, beating Arklow Silver Band into second place.
The band have had a hectic schedule of late with extra rehearsals, tuition and practice in the run-up to their trip to Oostende in Belgium for the European Brass Band Championships at the end of this month.
In the own choice section, playing The Plantagenets by Edward Gregson, Drogheda Brass Band were awarded 45 out of 50, but Arklow had already been awarded 46 for their performance of Laudate Dominum.
Playing Sunset Rhapsody by Eric Ball as the test piece, Arklow were awarded 87 but as last band on, Drogheda heard their score of 90 from 100 giving them a two point win on 135 over Arklow’s 133.
Lourdes Brass Band, also from Drogheda, came in third place on 126 and Steadfast were fourth on 124.
There were further local connections with Tony Leddy there to represent the Sound Shop as main sponsors of the weekend events. Tony announced to the crowd that the championships would be staged at the Sound Shop’s new auditorium in two years time.
Drogheda Brass Band leave town on Thursday, April 30th, for their European adventure and are thrilled to have retained their crown, won for the second time in Limerick last year.

DROGHEDA Brass Band are thrilled to announce that they have secured a building in the East Coast Business Park which they say will provide the expansion of their top-class school of music.
Following negotiations with Drogheda Borough Council and Town Clerk Des Foley, the band had originally agreed to purchase a site from the council at Toberboice Lane, Mell. However, with the economic downturn, the band’s committee decided that this plan, which would have left the band with a minimum shortfall of e220,000, was not viable.
Following an extensive search, they secured this new building and with legal work due to commence this week, the band hope to move into the 3,000 sq ft building before the end of the year.
The main rehearsal room for the band will be soundproofed to top class standard following a recent visit of band officers and conductor to the recently-refurbished Garda Band headquarters in Dublin with the band’s architect for the project Declan Walsh.
Mr Walsh gave the committee officers a detailed tour of the building last weekend with his plans which will include room for development on a second floor, allowing continued expansion of the school of music.
‘This new building, and its location, will give us a superb facility,’ band secretary Michael Plunkett commented. ‘With Funtasia, the 24-hour Tesco store, Lidl, Aldi, The Sound Shop and the retail park with Harvey Norman, Argos, KFC and others nearby, there will be easy, free parking for parents and students of the school of music plus a range of extras on our doorstep.’
The band will continue their fundraising efforts over the next few years but with a much-reduced shortfall on the new building over their original plan they hope to leave the organisation debt free as soon as possible.
‘We are grateful to Drogheda Borough Council, and in particular Cllr Paul Bell, who was heavily involved in the negotiations for our original site, and also Town Clerk Des Foley who was very understanding when we informed him of our need to change plans. We are grateful for their understanding and cooperation and hope that the site at Mell can be used by the borough council or another deserving local organisation,’ said Michael.

Photographs from the IABCB NE region solo contest held in Ardee at the end of February. Full details to follow.

Drogheda Brass Band took second place in the recent IABCB NE region ensemble contest, held in Ardee Concert Band’s terrific Bohemian Centre on Sunday, February 1st last. The quartet, made up of Kirsty Kerr on flugel, Neal O’Kennedy on cornet, Barry Maher on baritone and Francis Daly on tenor horn finished as runners-up with 90 marks for their version of Pastoral Theme by Cyril Watters.

First prize on the day went to Ardee Concert Band’s trio of Tony Flanagan, Linda McCarron (clarinets) and Vincent McArdle (french horn) for their Overture for 2 Clarinets and Horn (Handel) with a total of 91 marks.
Third prize went to Navan Silver Band quartet Lorraine O’Brien, Heather Regan (cornets) Grainne McNally (tenor horn) and Shane Smith (euphonium) for Excerpts from Water Music (Handel) on 89 marks.
Adjudicator on the day was Lorcan Daly (principal horn, Army No.1 Band and conductor of Lucan Concert Band).

ELECTRIC Avenue and Geriko have been lined up by Drogheda Brass Band for what should be a packed house in the Westcourt Hotel on Saturday, November 15th, for a fundraising party night.
Having sold out the venue over the bank holiday weekend recently, Electric Avenue fans will be scrambling to make sure they have their hands on a ticket for the hottest gig in town this side of Christmas!
With DJ Justin also lined up to get the party atmosphere going, this is sure to be a night to remember.
The event is being organised by the fundraising committee of Drogheda Brass Band and all proceeds from the night will go towards offsetting the costs of building their new purpose-built bandrooms.
Electric Avenue are one of the hottest properties on the gigging scene in the north east and have sold out venues wherever they play.
This talented nine-piece outfit play all the best of the 80s, the songs you remember and the tunes you want to dance to. Always guaranteed to get you dancing and leave you with a smile of reminiscence on your face, this is a great chance to see Electric Avenue live on stage in the comfortable surroundings of the Westcourt Hotel.
Local three-piece Geriko have a cult following in town and have had since they first hit the scene a number of years back. Famous for their theme nights in town, the lads have been working on new material and this is a huge chance to catch these new tunes lives for the first time.
The brass band have already sent letters round to companies in town seeking donations, sponsorship and raffle prizes but anyone who would like to contribute in any way at all can do so by contacting Brian Murphy on 086-8238174 or brian.murphy@droghedabrassband.org
Generous contributions have already been secured from AIB Drogheda, Boyne Valley Country Club, Thomas Byrne TD, Fergus O’Dowd TD, Boylesports (Trinity St), Hoey’s Butchers, The Salt House, Scholar’s Townhouse Hotel, Marks and Spencers, Sorrento’s, Premier Periclase, Ming Garden and Gala Cleaners.

NATIONAL brass band champions of Ireland, Drogheda Brass Band, are on the lookout for new members to start a beginners class immediately.
The band currently number 80 members of all ages, and their school of music is enrolling again, providing another group of local children with an internationally recognised music certificate due to their association with the Trinity Guildhall College in London.
The band’s success at the nationals qualifies them to represent Ireland in the European Brass Band Championship in Ostende, Belgium, next May.
They are currently busy preparing for the North of Ireland National Band Championships, to be held in Armagh on November 1st.
The two-time champion band, awaiting final go-ahead for their new purpose-built facility at Toberboice Lane, Mell, have been a major contributor to the musical history of Drogheda since its inception back in 1886.
Anyone interested in joining the brass band can get in touch with the director of their school of music, Maria Burns, on 086-1078051.
It is envisaged to start the class before the end of October and parents are encouraged to enroll their children as soon as possible.

The band’s annual flag day takes place this Saturday, June 14th, all day in Drogheda and surrounding areas so watch out for our members and please support our good cause.

It’s that time of year once again. Schools are finished, exams almost completed and Summer Sounds is just a month away. Once again the band are delighted to announce that Alan Bourne, accompanied by his wife Claire and tutor Alice Jones, will return to take the senior and junior band through their paces. This, for many, is the highlight of the year and this year will be no different. The course begins on Saturday, July 19th, and will run right through until Friday, July 25th, when the band will give a concert in a venue that has yet to be decided. Keep the date free in your diary as this is one show you don’t want to miss!