*
banner

Report & Result: 2018 IABCB National Band Championships

1st Old Boys lead the way in Navan as they pick up the title honours in two sections.

oLD bOYS
  1st Old Boys claimed the silverware in the First Section

The 53rd IABCB National Band Championships took place over the weekend at the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan in the Republic of Ireland.

Victory in the First Section went to 1st Old Boys conducted by Stephen Cairns, who produced a brace of fine performances of the set-work, 'Lake of the Moon' by Kevin Houben and their own-choice selection of 'Sinfonietta No. 3' by Etienne Crausaz to take the honours by a substantive seven point margin over rivals Drogheda Brass, with Lourdes Brass in third.

Impressed

They certainly impressed adjudicator Howard Evans as they also made it a clean sweep with the individual awards, with solo euphonium Alan Howarth adding the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize to the trophies for the 'Best Own-Choice' and 'Overall' accolades.

It proved to be a great day for the organisation, with Jacklin Bingham leading 1st Old Boys Youth to the Second Section title playing 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' by Peter Graham and 'Anglian Dances' by Alan Fernie. The Third Section honours went to Stedfast Band, with well deserved IABCB Honorary Life Membership awards presented to Jack Regan and Gillian Shiels.

Victory in the First Section went to 1st Old Boys, who produced a brace of fine performances of the set-work, 'Lake of the Moon' by Kevin Houben and their own-choice selection of 'Sinfonietta No. 3' by Etienne Crausaz4BR

Results:

Section 1:


Adjudicator: Howard Evans
Own Choice/Set Piece = Total (max 150)

1. 1st Old Boys Silver Band (Stephen Cairns): 45/92 = 137
2. Drogheda Brass (Michael Maher): 41/89 = 130
3. Lourdes Brass (Prof. Michael Alcorn): 40/85 = 125
4. The Stedfast Band (Brian Daly): 33/73 = 106
5. Navan Silver (Stephen Murray): 32/70 = 102

Best Instrumentalist: Alan Howarth (euphonium) — 1st Old Boys Silver
Best Own Choice: 1st Old Boys Silver Band
Overall Best Section 1 Band: 1st Old Boys Silver
Overall Championship Best Band: 1st Old Boys Silver

Section 2:


Own Choice/Set Piece = Total (max 150)

1. 1st Old Boys Youth (Jacklin Bingham): 43/90 = 133
2. Ennis Brass Band (Mark Nutley): 35/77 = 112

Best Own Choice: 1st Old Boys Youth
Overall Best Section 2 Band: 1st Old Boys Youth

Section 3:


Own Choice/Set Piece = Total (max 150)

1. Stedfast Shoes Brass (Shane Smith): 121

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


whit friday

Report & Results: 2025 Christmas Whit Friday

December 13 • Diggle and Dobcross Youth get an early Christmas prezzie contest bonus on a night of festive fun in Delph.


National Youth Championships

Judges announced for 2026 National Youth Championships

December 11 • Anna Wilby, Christopher Bond, Stephanie Kennedy, Lauren Chinn, Daniel Brooks and Ailsa Russell (above) will be making the decisions at the National Youth Championships next March.


Brass Matters

Podcast: Brass Matters — The Centre of Things Part 1

December 11 • Join John Wallace and friends as they discuss his latest musical project.


rules

Regional Championship borrowing rules confirmed

December 11 • Bands in Sections 1-4 will be able to borrow players to boost their chances of National Championship qualification.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Petworth Town Band

December 9 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with an inspirational MD Paula Streeter. Concerts are planned for next year and we would welcome you to join us


Welwyn Garden City Band

December 9 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an eye on the 2026 Areas. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS.


Flookburgh band

December 9 • Flookburgh Band Vacancy ........ Musical Director . . We are newly promoted to the Second Section and looking for an inspirational Musical Director to lead us forward!. Concerts: 5 main concerts per year + summer engagements . .


Nicholas B. Hudson

FTCL LGSMD (Hons)
Musician | Trombonist | Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd