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Report & Result: 2017 Irish National Band Championships

Drogheda's domination continues in Navan as they claim their ninth title in the last eleven years, as section victories go to Navan, Stedfast Shoes and Irish National Forresters Brass.

Podium
  Drogheda Brass Band continued their domination with their ninth win in the last eleven years.

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

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