2000 Irish Nationals
by Trevor Johnston
A late Easter and continuing millennium festivities conspired this year against the holding of the Irish National Band Championships in Wesley College, Dublin, in the week after Easter. This year, the Drogheda Brass Band were to be seen getting out of bed early on the very morning the clocks had gone forward for the summer for the long drive to Waterford, where this year's competitions were held on 26th March.
Four bands were entered for the Championship Section: Loch Garman Band, Arklow Silver Band, Stedfast Band and Drogheda Brass Band. The test piece was Herbert Howell's three-movement "Pageantry" and, as always, bands were required to pick another piece of similarly challenging material.
We chose Goff Richards' "Hollywood!", a piece of music comprising several distinct, original tunes in the style of some of the great American movies.
After last year's decisive win, Drogheda were attempting to successfully defend their title. But, it was not to be: Drogheda finished in third place overall, just behind Stedfast Band and a total of nine points separating themselves and Arklow Silver Band, who were crowned the new national champions.
The adjudicator on the day obviously preferred Arklow's interpretation and it must be said that they produced remarkably engaging renditions of both the test and their chosen piece. Their win was very well deserved.
Next year, the Drogheda Brass Band will go flat out to reclaim their title as national champions, but in the meantime has its own trip to Birmingham to represent Ireland at European level looming on the horizon. Only a month separates this year's Irish nationals and European championships - here's hoping Drogheda will take the adjudicator's comments aboard and do their country proud!