Navan Silver Band champions of the south

Navan Silver Band has scooped the overall award in its category in the South of Ireland Band Championships, as well as taking two other awards for its musical arrangements. It was the band"s first time back in competition in eight years or so, and the intention when entering was to test the waters to see how it would fare out competitively, so the wins came as a complete surprise. The South of Ireland championships have been in existence for almost three decades, and Navan was entered in the intermediate section, which had nine bands in competition, the most highly contested category in the competitions. As well as being named overall winners, the Navan Silver Band was named winner of the Shanley Cup for Best musical arrangement for 'In the Pink", the Pink Panther tune, as well as the Robert McDonald Cup for the best marching music, for 'Bandology". The band also performed from 'Pirates of the Caribbean". Chairman of the band, Denis O"Halloran, paid tribute to musical director Paul Byrne and the band for their hard work and dedication. It has been a busy few weeks for the Athlumney-based band, which staged a sell-out concert in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan in late June. Other recent events included the opening of Kennedy Place, Navan; the Art in Action festival in Townley Hall, Drogheda; the start of the FBD Milk Ras in Navan, and events at Pairc Tailteann and Navan Racecourse. The band was founded as the Navan Boys Band in 1941, by Fr Sean Kenny, later Monsignor Kenny of Trim, when chaplain in St Patrick"s Classical School, and Martin Ryan of Academy Street. The first taste of success came in the early 1960s with victory in the national championships at the first attempt. This trend spread to all aspects of brass band competition with members winning national and regional quartet, ensemble and solo competitions throughout the 1970s and '80s. When the membership fell to just six in the 1990s, they refused to disperse and started a determined recruitment drive, which is ongoing and has helped to re-establish the band as a force on the national stage, with victories in the national championships of 1999 and 2000. The primary aim of the Athlumney-based band is to bring music to all, and to give both children and adults, regardless of means, the opportunity to read music and to play an instrument. They give comprehensive training, and provide instruments and uniforms. Forthcoming activities include master classes, Christmas concerts and beginners classes, starting in September. The Navan Silver Band acknowledges the support of Meath Vocational Education Committee, Navan Town Council, and Meath County Council Arts Office for their support. Also picking up a prize at the championships in Cork was the Drogheda-based Lourdes Brass Band, joint winners in the senior section.