The Lourdes Brass Band from Drogheda recently travelled to the beautiful town of Clonakilty to take part in the 40th South of Ireland Band Championships — the nation's most prestigious brass and concert band event.

28 bands competed in the various sections with entries from as far a field as the USA, and with such serious competition Lourdes had to perform at their peak to impress adjudicator Philip Harper.

Senior Brass winner

They did that and more under MD Michael Alcorn, taking first place in the Senior Brass category helped by their trombones winning the Robert Tiernan Cup as 'Best Trombone Section' with the band also claiming the award for the 'Best Celebratory' work.

Their winning programme featured the Samba beat to open of 'Copacabana', 'The New Colonial' march, 'Attack of the Killer Trombones' and a 'Village People Medley', with the Cory MD praising the band for their high quality performance and stylistic choreography.

Youth winner

Not to be out done, Lourdes Youth Band also brought silverware home with their performance of 'Wonderful World' catching the ear of adjudicator Tom Davoren as the'Best Musical Arrangement' of the competition. It was specially arranged by Lourdes Youth Band MD John Walsh and received its premiere at the event.

Their winning programme featured 'Copacabana', 'The New Colonial' march, 'Attack of the Killer Trombones' and a 'Village People Medley', with the Cory MD praising the band for their high quality performance and stylistic choreography4BR

Results:

Junior Category:

1. St. Mary's Brass and Reed Youth Band
2. Midelton Junior Concert Band
3. Banna Chluain Meala Junior Band

Best Junior Musicianship Award: Frankie Walsh Jr (cornet) — Midelton Junior Concert Band

Intermediate Category:

1. St. Mary's Brass and Reed Youth Band
2. Drogheda Youth Brass Band
3. Blanchardstown Brass Band

Best Percussion: Ennis Brass Band
Best March: Carrick-on-Suir Brass Band
Best Bass Section: Drogheda Youth Brass Band
Best Soloist: Adam Mernin (flugel) — City of Waterford Brass
Best Musical Arrangement: 'Wonderful World' (Lourdes Youth Band)
Best Woodwind: St. Mary's Brass and Reed

Senior Category:

1. Lourdes Brass Band
2. Dublin Concert Band
3. St. James's Brass and Reed Band

Special Awards:
Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra Award for Best Original/Concert Band Piece: 'Arabesque' (Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band
Brawny Wycherley Perpetual Cup for Best Brass: Clonmel Concert Band
Robert Tiernan Cup for Best Trombone Performance: Lourdes Trombone Section
Best Celebratory Piece: Lourdes Brass Band
Best Repertoire: Dublin Concert Band