Drogheda Brass Band brought much Christmas cheer and festive spirit to its annual Christmas concert in The Barbican Centre last week.
Under the baton of new musical director Stephen Murray, who took up the role in May, the band entertained the crowd with a fabulous programme of entertaining music in the first half, before rounding off the night with some Christmas classics with the help of the choir of St Brigid’s and St Patrick’s National School.
The band had played at the famous Festival of Brass event in Belfast in November and brought the programme performed at that event to the stage in The Barbican, kicking off with the upbeat Through The Flames, arranged by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Solo euphonium player Anthony Murphy played the beautiful With His First Breath, again arranged by Lovatt-Cooper.
The band brought some fun to the proceedings next with Philip Harper’s brilliant arrangement of the classic 1980s tune Walk like an Egyptian, which involved a bit of moving and grooving and featuring Brian Murphy on trombome with a tricky feature.
Kirsty Kerr on flugel horn featured next in the haunting Only In Sleep, arranged by Philip Littlemore, before the band rounded out the first section with the brilliant Balkan Dance.
The choir of St Brigid’s and St Patrick’s took to the stage next to entertain the audience with Somewhere Only We Know by Keane before rounding out the first half with a selection of Christmas classics, including Rocking Around The Christmas Tree and Walking In A Winter Wonderland.
To kick off the second half, the beginner recorder group got the biggest cheer of the night when they performed a couple of pieces with the help of Jessica Campbell who was filling in for regular tutor Amy Murphy who was out sick.
The brass classes under Neal O’Kennedy took to the stage next and, with a little help from a handful of band members, played a couple of pieces to the delight of their watching family and friends.
It was back to the senior band then as they played through Let The Bells Ring, When Christmas Sleeps, Stop The Cavalry, Schneewaltzer, The Christmas Song and Sleigh Ride.
The school choir joined the band for the finale with Merry Christmas Everybody and Do They Know It’s Christmas Time as the band rounded out a terrific year for the organisation, having won their 14th national brass band title in Athlone the previous April.
The band is busy playing Christmas carols in Drogheda Town Centre, as well as performances in Oldbridge House and Scotch Hall this Christmas period. Keep an eye on their social feeds @droghedabrass for more details.
The band is also looking to recruit another beginners class early in the new year, as well as beginning adult lessons, so if there’s anybody out there who wants to try something new for 2024, keep an eye out for Drogheda Brass Band on Facebook to find out more!
