Drogheda Brass Band have fallen ten places in the latest 4barsrest.com world rankings but are still inside the top 150.

Brass band champions of Ireland, Drogheda Brass Band, return to the Droichead Arts Centre on Friday, December 14th, next with a concert sure to tickle the tastebuds of regular audiences at the venue.

In this modern age of stress, commuting, parking and all the worries and hassles associated with the pre-Christmas rush (that seems to begin before Hallowe’en these days!), why not take time out and re-create some of the old Christmas charm with a trip to hear this top band performing.

Under the guidance of musical director Michael Maher, the band have continued to impress all, none more so than Sunday shoppers late last month on West Street as part of the “Bringing The Buzz Back” festival, when they played tunes and Christmas carols outside Kevin McAllister’s electrical store.

The theme for the concert is themes from shows and movies, so expect to hear some haunting melodies from “Lord of the Rings” and “Saving Private Ryan” alongside some more light-hearted numbers like “Wandrin’ Star”, an Eb bass solo with Michael Plunkett and “A Disney Spectacular”.

The fabulous Drogheda Youth Band under their conductor Stephen Murray will also perform at the concert.

And, of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some brass band carols so expect to hear some old yuletide favourites at the concert too.

Don’t forget to dig deep when you see the band playing carols on West Street and in the shopping centres in the build-up to Christmas as they are raising much-needed funds for their new bandroom project.

Tickets for the concert are priced at €10 and are available at the door on the night. Concert begins at 8pm sharp.

Drogheda Brass Band helped “bring the buzz back” to West Street at Sunday lunchtime, November 25th last, with a performance outside McAllister’s electrical store.

Young euphonium player Ian McCormack was crowned student of the year at Drogheda Brass Band’s annual prize-giving concert in the Westcourt Hotel last week. Ian beat off stiff competition from ten other nominees from the school of music to capture the Jim Kierans Perpetual Cup.

In front of a packed house, there was fun and entertainment all night from the various groups who played. Drogheda Brass Band’s senior outfit opened the proceedings with the old film march “Aces High” before another film piece, this time from Austin Powers, “Soul Bossa Nova”, had the audience smiling and tapping along. They rounded off their section of the concert with “Everything I Do” and finally, very fitting for the occasion, “Fanfare and Flourishes”.

Director of the School of Music, Maria Burns, then took over as MC for the evening and introduced the recorder group, under the tuition of Yvonne Cunningham. The group, made up of Jack Carr, Victor Owinwa, Anna Rothwell, Oisin Brady, Aaron O’Brien, Evan English, James Leonard, Cait, Ewan, Blaithnaid MacArdle and Sally Bogue, were helped on the night by Niamh Cunningham and Declan Behan from the percussion group.

Drogheda Youth Brass were up next, with their conductor Stephen Murray and what a show they put on. Starting with the old west tune “Magnificent Seven”, Conor Rothwell was then featured in “The Rose” before they played “Latin Fiesta” and “High on Blues
Meadow”.

Their rendition of “Pirates of the Caribbean” had the audience in raptures before they played the famous old hymn tune “Abide With Me”. Their finale was as exciting as it was pulsating, with “Celtic Rock” and “Everybody Needs Somebody”.

The list of nominations for Student of the Year included Grace English and Eoin Tunsted from Grade 2, Ian McCormack and Michaela Plunkett from Youth Band, Stephen Conlan and Maria O’Neill from Grade 3, Oisín Brady, Aaron O’Brien and Anna Rothwell from recorder group and Declan Behan and Conall Ó Maoláin from percussion class.

Maria Burns also presented gifts to the band’s teachers Mark Nutley, Aoife Crowley, Stephen Murray, Martin Shields, Yvonne Cunningham, Regina Cassidy, James English and Sarah Flood.

Band treasurer Michael Plunkett outlined to those present the news that the band has received a grant of €24,200 from the ACCESS II fund towards architectural fees for their new bandroom project.

Drogheda Brass Band are next in action on Sunday November 25th as part of the “Bringing The Buzz Back” festival, playing at 1pm outside St. Peter’s Church, West Street. Their annual Christmas concert takes place on Friday, December 14th, in the Droichead Arts Centre at 8pm. Tickets priced at €10.

Drogheda Brass Band have received an early Christmas present from the powers that be in their quest to build a purpose-built bandrooms at Tobberboice Lane in Mell.
The band have just been told that they have been awarded e24,200 towards their architectural fees from the ACCESS II fund from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.
A band spokesperson revealed that the news is a huge boost to the band at a vital stage in the process.
‘The legal work is nearing completion and the tendering process for the construction stage is currently under way. We are very excited that actual site work should commence within weeks.’
The architectural work for the project has been handled by Declan P. Walsh & Associates of Tullyallen, and the spokesperson revealed the band were delighted to be using a local firm.
The new bandrooms will be 3,000 sq. ft. with private car parking facilities and will also cater for the enlargement of their school of music.
Support was sought and received from all four Louth TDs Dermot Ahern, Fergus O’Dowd, Arthur Morgan and Seamus Kirk, as well as Meath East TD Thomas Byrne.
The band wished to extend special thanks to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern who made representations to Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Seamus Brennan.
Support was also received from members of Drogheda Borough Council, most notably Councillor Paul Bell (Lab) who led negotiations on the purchase of the site.
Cllr. Bell has welcomed the grant. In a brief statement he said: ‘I am delighted for the officers and members of the band as this is the first state grant awarded to the project.
‘The project, yet to have a sod turned, will not only facilitate the budding and seasoned musicians but will also serve community organisations in need of a facility.
‘Having been involved in the campaign to secure the site for the bandroom, with the support of the members of the council, I am now more confident than ever that work will commence on the site.’
The band also thanked Paulette McArdle of Drogheda Community Forum for assistance with the grant application, and Brenda McGuigan for the production of a grant submission booklet.
The band have been busy themselves working on the project. The members recently agreed to a rise in annual subscriptions of 50% to help allay the costs of the new facility.
A recent fun quiz organised by the fundraising committee was also a great success and more events are in the pipeline before Christmas. Prizes on the quiz night were generously donated by the Lemongrass
Restaurant, Boot Pharmacy, C&N Meida Publications, McDonnell’s Centra, Sorrento’s, Dowd’s Menswear, and The Boiled Onion. Posters for the event were kindly printed by Maher’s Chemist.
Drogheda Brass Band held their Student of the Year concert in the Westcourt Hotel on Tuesday November 13th and their annual Christmas concert, featuring hit music from films and shows, takes place on December 14th at the Droichead Arts Centre.
The annual mass for deceased members takes place this coming Sunday morning in St. Mary’s church at 11am.

Young euphonium player Ian McCormack took the top plaudits at Drogheda Brass Band’s student of the year concert held in the Westcourt Hotel on Tuesday November 13th last. Full story on the way!!

Tuesday November 13th

Annual Student of the Year concert in the Westcourt Hotel, West Street, Drogheda at 8pm. Admission 5euro.

Sunday November 18th

Mass for Deceased Members, St. Mary’s Church, Drogheda. 11am and 12noon masses.

Friday 14th December

Annual Christmas Concert Drogheda Arts Centre at 8pm. Admission 10euro.

Christmas 2007

Watch out for members of the band who will be playing Christmas carols on West Street over the Christmas period.