Both of the Lourdes Bands, (Senior and Youth Bands), gains recognition and a write up on the worlds leading Brass Band website - 4 Bars Rest. See link to article.
https://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=38117
The Lourdes Brass Band from Drogheda traveled to the South of Ireland Band Championships in the beautiful town of Clonakilty.. The competition is now the most attended Brass and Concert Band competition in the country with a field of 28 Bands competing. The event is now an international competition, with entries from as far a field a Washington U.S.A.
With such serious competition the Lourdes Band had to perform at their peak, and thankfully that’s exactly what the Band done. Taking the 1st Place prize in the Senior section of the Competition. The awards were not to stop there either, with further trophies being awarded to the Lourdes Band. Our elite trombone section won the Robert Tiernan perpetual cup as the Best Trombone section of the day. The Band also took the award for the best celebratory piece of the competition.
The Band performed a very lively program featuring the Copacabana, The New Colonial March, Attack of the Killer Trombones and a melody of music from the Village People. The performance was enhanced by stylistic choreography and the Band providing a high energy Samba beat to take to the stage.
Not to be out done the Lourdes Youth Band also brought silverware home to Drogheda with their performance of Wonderful World being announced as the best musical arrangement of the competition. This is a piece that the Lourdes Youth Band’s musical director Mr. John Walsh arranged for the Youth Band and it received its first rendition at the South of Ireland Competition.
The Lourdes Band extends our thanks to Mr Kieron Gallagher and “Kada Ka Boom Arts” for all their help to us in arranging additional percussion to enhance the atmosphere within the performance hall.
The Lourdes Brass Band would like to acknowledge and thank the Drogheda Community for the generosity extended to us during our recent “Flag Day” fundraising event.
Your generosity to the Lourdes Brass Band allows us to operate a voluntary organisation and offer our educational, social and musical services to the whole of the Drogheda Community.
If anybody wishes to avail of our organisations services by becoming a member please contact our secretary at secretary@lourdesbrassband.com
Many Thanks to the Drogheda Community for your support over the years.
Lourdes Brass Band serving the community since 1959
The Following is the summer holiday schedule for the Lourdes Brass Band organisation:
Lourdes - “School of Music” - Tuesday evening classes.
Tuesday 2nd July 2019. No rehearsal, summer holiday begins.
Tuesday 23rd July 2019. Classes resume.
Lourdes Youth Band (LYB):
Monday 8th July 2019. No rehearsal, summer holiday begins.
Monday 22nd July 2019. Rehearsals resume.
Lourdes Senior Band:
Sunday 7th July 2019. No rehearsal, summer holiday begins.
Sunday 21st July 2019. Rehearsals resume.
The Band committee wishes all our members a great summer holiday and looks forward to seeing you all afterwards.
All Members, Parents and Friends.
LBB - FIRE ALARM TEST and FIRE DRILL.
The Lourdes Band will be holding our regular fire drills this Month. They will happen over three nights to facilitate all our members ie. Beginner classes (School of Music), Lourdes Youth Band (LYB), and Lourdes Senior Band. However everybody in the building must participate including any non members (Parents etc), Please be aware that the assembly area is at the Carpark of the St. Augustinians Church, also that Batchelors Lane is a public road so exercise caution while proceeding to the assembly area, older members please watch and assist any minors, If anybody has any queries or comments following the fire drill please contact us through our secretary at secretary@lourdesbrassband.com Thank you all in advance for your cooperation.
The Lourdes Brass Band would like to take the opportunity to thank the people of Drogheda and its surrounding areas for the generous support shown to our Church Gate collections on Easter weekend. We are honoured by your generosity. In our 60th year of serving the Drogheda community your kind donations have enabled us to buy new instruments, music stands, music and assist with the ever increasing costs of running a totally voluntary organisation.
Thank you to all who support us, we hope we bring pride to you and our community.
Mark Newman (Lourdes Band Principal Cornet) produced a performance at the recent IABCB National Band Championships that caught the ear of the adjudicator and won the best instrumentalist at the 2019 Championships. The Lourdes Band are extremely proud to see Mark receive such commendation, especially since the adjudicator was Mr. Alan Morrison, one of the all time great cornet and soprano players. The day was even to get better with the Lourdes Brass Band taking second place in the Championships.
As ever the Lourdes Band extends our thanks to the organising committee for their hard work in running the National Band Championships.
Following the Lourdes Brass Bands AGM held on the 28th March 2019. We would like to introduce you to our new Committee line up.
Congratulations to Ben Flanagan, who takes up office as a committee member for his first time. Many thanks to our out going committee for all their work in their roles. Best of luck to all for the year ahead.
Chairman - Danny Black.
Secretary - Niamh Shortt.
Treasurer - Niall Shortt.
P.R.O. - Colin Black.
Vice Chairman - Declan Byrne.
Vice Secretary - John Kelly.
Vice Treasurer - Wayne Floody.
Vice P.R.O. - Ben Flanagan.
Grants Officer - Suzanne Newman.
Lourdes Brass Band Secretary can be contacted on secretary@lourdesbrassband.com
The Lourdes Band wishes to thank the organisers of the Drogheda St. Patrick’s Day parade. We really enjoyed the opportunity to perform for the Drogheda community. Many thanks to all those who turned out in vast numbers to make the parade the success it was.
As ever our organisation depends on the continuous generosity of the Drogheda people. We are always delighted to be given a platform such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade to show our gratitude to all the people of the Town.
Thank you to the organisers and to the People of Drogheda.
The I.A.B.C.B has announced that the venue of the 2019 National Band Championship's has been altered and will now be held in the Artane School of Music in St. David's Park, Dublin.
The Lourdes Brass Band, will enter the Championship Section and we would like to extend our thanks to the Artane Band for their hospitality in hosting the event.
Sunday 3rd of March saw the members of the Lourdes Brass Band depart from their regular Brass Band formation and expose their individual musical talents in the Bands Solo / Ensemble competitions. The audience was treated to a wide range of music genres, from classical to TV themes. Members of the Lourdes “School of Music” - Beginner Classes -Lourdes youth Band and the Senior Band, all laid on a musical feast. Congratulations and a big thank you to all who provided us with a fantastic musical day.
The Adjudicator for the day, Mr Jon Clifford spoke very highly of all the entrants, remarking that the high quality of performances gave him a real dilemma having to pick who he would award prizes too. He also remarked that on the whole he was delighted to see that everybody was displaying good techniques in their musical production.
Results of the Day:
School of Music - Newest recruits - Medal winners:
Christo Mathews, Sienna Lily Thornton, Cormac Moore, Taragh McKeon and Max Sidenko.
School of Music - Students - Medal winners:
Cian Smith, Killian Coleman, Eoghan Clake, Ethain Diver, Lucy Coleman, Darragh Smith.
School of Music - Advanced students
1st Place - Tomas McGreehan - Past time with good company.
2nd Place - Alex Healy - Landler
3rd Place - Daisy Sarsfield - Campanae
Lourdes Youth Band
1st Place - Ged Milne - The greatest showman
2nd Place - Cathal O Malley - Passion
3rd Place - Matthew King - Movie Themes
Lourdes Senior Band
1st Place - Mark Newman - Kim
2nd Place - Danny Black - Beautiful Colorado
Ensembles:
1st Place - Jazz Time music.
2nd Place - Music of Ennio Moricone
Please visit our gallery to see photos of the Solo/Ensemble day.
The Lourdes Bands 2019 Solo/Ensemble competition will be held on Sunday March 3rd commencing 11.00am.
The adjudicator for the days event will be Mr Jon Clifford.
Jon Clifford studied trombone and euphonium at the Royal Academy of Music, London, from 1983 to 1987 under Harold Nash (Covent Garden) and Michael Hext (LPO). During this time he gained an ARCM (Perf), LRAM (Teacher), GRSM and DipRAM (Orch) and was also awarded the Sidney Langston and Aubrey Brain prizes.
After graduating from college Jon had trial periods with the Bournemouth and BBC Concert Orchestras, eventually becoming sub principal and later principal trombone with the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, a position he held until 2005/6. Upon leaving the SBO Jon has been freelancing with the RTE, Ulster, Wexford Opera, Irish Chamber Orchestras and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club.
Jon began lecturing in trombone at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in 2001 and in 2011 at the Defence Forces School of Music. In 2012 he was appointed Music Director of the Ballymore Eustace Brass and Reed Band and has also conducted the DIT Concert Band. More recently Jon has coached the brass section of the Dublin Youth Orchestra.
We very much look forward to working with Jon and receiving his positive feed back to assist us in our development.
The Lourdes Brass Band performed their Christmas concert to a full house in the Droichead Arts on December 13th,
The Band displayed the full depth of talent and entertainment skills throughout the organisation with fine performances from our “School of Music” beginner classes, Our “Youth Band” and our “Senior Band”.
With Ged Milne (EEb Bass player in LYB) leading the audience in a White Christmas sing along. The Senior Band also had the audience rocking along with a melody of Christmas tunes,
The Bands person of the year awards were well received and deserved by:
Daisy Sarsfield - LBB “School of Music” - Student of the year.
Mark Askins - LYB (Lourdes Youth Band) - Band Person of the year.
Chris Nally - Senior Band - Band Person of the year.
Please visit the “Media” and “Photographs” tabs of our website to view the concert photos.
Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year to all the Lourdes Band Friends and supporters.
The Lourdes Band extends its deepest sympathies to the Family of Mick Byrne. Mick has been a long standing supporter of community activities in the Drogheda district, with heavy involvement in Drogheda United F.C. through the years.
The Byrne family have a huge history with the Lourdes Band, with Mick’s son Declan (Band Vice Chairman), Grandson Wayne (Band Treasurer) who are current members, while his Granddaughter Joanna has always supported the Band both with her presence and also never forgetting us in her role as local Councillor.
The Lourdes Band extends our deepest sympathies to all the Byrne family in their bereavement.
Tickets are now available for the Lourdes Band’s Christmas Concert in the Droichead Arts Center on the 13th December €8 per ticket.
Tickets are currently available from the Committee office in the Lourdes Band room on Batchelors Lane (Map attached). The office is attended every Tuesday evening from 7.30pm - 8.30pm. The Band room is also open every Sunday. Monday Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30pm - 9.00pm, please ask for any committee member and they will be delighted to help you with ticket sales. Alternatively contact the Band Secretary through our Web site www.lourdesbrassband.com
Please be aware that the Arts Center has a capacity of available seating and this has lead to the concert being sold out early, avoid disappointment and get your tickets early. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis.
We look forward to seeing you all at the Concert.
The Lourdes Brass Band organisation will be taking their Christmas holidays as follows:
Senior Band: Last Rehearsal/Performance Saturday 15th December 2018.
Rehearsals Resume on Sunday 6th January 2019.
Lourdes Youth Band: Last Rehearsal/Performance Saturday 15th December 2018.
Rehearsals Resume on Monday 7th January 2019.
Lourdes School of Music: Last Rehearsal/Performance Tuesday 11th December 2018.
Rehearsals Resume on Tuesday 8th January 2019.
The Lourdes Band Committee wishes to extend our best wishes and Seasons Greetings to all our Members, Volunteers, Parents, Supporters and friends of the Band. Many thanks for all the help through 2018 and we hope 2019 sees you all well.
It is with great sadness that the Lourdes Brass Band has received the news of the bereavement of our long time friend Mrs. Pauline Kelly.
Pauline was not only a regular attendant at all our events, she was also a driving force on the Band Committee for many years. Her memory and tradition in the Lourdes Brass Band will be carried on by her Son John, Daughter Barbara, Grandchild Abbey and Daughter-in-law LeeAnne, who are also our Band colleagues. .
The Band extends our deepest condolences and will miss Pauline greatly.
May she rest in peace.
Lourdes Brass Band rehearsal times will be as follows for the October Bank holiday weekend:
Senior Band - No rehearsal on Sunday 28th Oct.
- Rehearsal on Wednesday 31st Oct. as per usual.
Lourdes Youth Band - No rehearsal on Monday 29th Oct.
- Rehearsal on Thursday 1st Nov, as per usual.
Lourdes School of Music - No classes on Tuesday 30th Oct.
(Tuesday Classes) - Classes on Tuesday 6th Nov. as per usual.
The Band committee wish all our members an enjoyable long weekend and Mid-term break from schools.
Regards
Lourdes Band PRO
The Senior Band rehearsal nights will change this week and next week. Sunday rehearsals remain unchanged but Wednesday’s will change to Thursday evenings as discussed.
Rehearsal timetable for next two weeks:
Thursday 4th Oct.
Sunday 7th Oct.
Thursday 11th Oct.
Sunday 14th Oct.
These changes only affect the Lourdes Senior Band, Junior Band and School of Music rehearsals carry on as normal.
Thanks to all for your co-operation.
The Lourdes Brass Band are now recruiting new members. We welcome all to avail of the opportunity to become a member of our vibrant community group, were musical education. music performance and social interaction is on offer. We structure our fees to allow all members of our community join in and represent Drogheda and the Lourdes Band at the many events we take part in throughout the year.
Anybody looking to enrol or has any queries can contact us through the "Contact" Tab on our website or contact the Lourdes Band Secretary on secretary@lourdesbrassband.com.
Enrolment will commence at 7.30pm Tuesday 18th September 2018 at our premises on Batchelors Lane, Drogheda Co. Louth. (Google map pin attached to this notice will direct you to the Lourdes Brass Band bandrrom).
