The Irish National Band Championships recently took place took place at the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan Co Meath, where bands took part in both brass band and concert band categories to be crowned National Band Champion.
In the Section 1 contest, Drogheda Brass Band led by Michael Mather continued their domination with their ninth win in the past eleven years by giving solid performances of the set-work, 'Three Part Invention' and their own-choice selection of 'California Legend'.
Substantive margin
It gave them a substantive four point margin of victory over nearest rivals Lourdes Brass who performed 'Triptych' and Stedfast who played 'Oceans' as their respective own-choice selections. Adjudicator Archie Hutchison commended all the bands for what he believed were very good performances.
In the other sections there were wins for Navan Silver Band, Stedfast Shoes and INF Brass Band.
Magnificent event
Speaking to 4BR, IABCB Chairperson Stephen Murray told 4BR: "We enjoyed a magnificent event, and were very grateful to our sponsors Meath County Council who sponsored the venue and also to Band Supplies and Buffet Crampon for their ongoing support of the Championships."
Before the announcement of the results, two honorary Life Membership Awards were presented to Harry Kelly and Archie Hutchison, with Stephen adding: "Both men have had a very significant impact on banding across the entire island and I could not think of two more deserving individuals to award Life Membership to."
Fine bandsman
The IABCB also remembered one of Ireland's finest bandsmen in Christy Smith, who sadly passed away a month before the event. Tributes were made and everyone in attendance offered a minute's applause to honour his contribution to Irish Banding.
In the Section 1 contest, Drogheda Brass Band led by Michael Mather continued their domination with their ninth win in the past eleven years4BR
Results:
Section 1:
Own Choice + Set Work = Total
Adjudicator: Archie Hutchison
1. Drogheda Brass Band (Michael Maher): 48/93 = 141
2. Lourdes Brass Band (Michael Alcorn): 46/91 = 137
3. The Stedfast Band (Brian Daly): 45/89 = 134
Best Own Choice: Drogheda Brass Band
Section 2:
Own Choice + Set Work = Total
Adjudicator: Archie Hutchison
1. Navan Silver Band (Stephen Murray): 32/88 = 120
Best Own Choice: Navan Silver Band
Section 3:
Own Choice + Set Work = Total
Adjudicator: Archie Hutchison
1. Stedfast Shoes Brass Band (Mark Newman): 32/80 = 112
Best Own Choice: Stedfast Shoes Brass Band
Section 4:
Adjudicator: Archie Hutchison
1. Irish National Forresters Brass Band (Jack Regan) — 95
2. Kells Silver Band — (Sean Lynch) — 93
Best March: Kells Silver Band
Best Slow Piece: Irish National Forresters Brass Band
Best Own-Choice Piece: Irish National Forresters Brass Band
