A Brief History of the Drogheda Brass Band
Drogheda Brass Band was originally entitled the Colonel Leonard Fife and Drum Band when it was formed back in 1886 with premises at Mill Lane, Drogheda. Upon the disbandment of the 5th Leinster Regiment earlier this century, a set of instruments was purchased for a reputed sum of five pounds when the band changed its name to Drogheda Brass and Reed Band and moved to their present premises at George's Street, Drogheda.
A further change took place in 1964 when the band became an all-brass organisation and its current name, "Drogheda Brass Band", was adopted.
In the course of its history, the Drogheda Brass Band has excelled in performance and has won numerous awards and distinctions. The band won its first national title in 1912 and first won the National Band Championships in 1976. In 1985, the band created history by becoming the first band from the Republic of Ireland to win a section at the North of Ireland Band Championships.
Our premises in George's Street, Drogheda, home now to the Drogheda Brass Band for nearly a century.
In 1994 and again in 1996, the Band won the Senior Section of the National Band Championships. It also has numerous solo, quartet and ensemble victories to its name, including a unique double victory in the National Ensemble and National Quartet competitions which it won in 1988.
The establishment of a School of Music in 1981, adopted as part of the band's continuing youth policy, has seen it flourish as a centre of excellence in the teaching of music to young people. Currently, eight teachers give instruction to over 100 pupils who attend two classes each week in preparation for their Guildhall School of Music examinations in London.
The Drogheda Brass Band continued to make a name for itself when it was approached late last year by Skoda Sales Ireland, who proposed that they sponsor the band for the future. The band was delighted that a major international company should approach them in this way and it proved to both members and onlookers that they are now one of the best known bands in the country and making positive strides towards popularising band music.