It’s Seventh Heaven for the Arklow Shipping Silver Band

Last Saturday (22^nd April 2006) Arklow Shipping Silver Band made it seven wins in a row of National Brass Band titles when the competed in the 41^st National Band Championships which this year were held in the Dominican College, Griffith Avenue in Dublin.

No other Irish Brass Band has achieved a seven-in-a-row of national titles and this is probably unique in brass banding worldwide.

The Band played The Land of the Long White Cloud as their Choice Piece and Snowdon Fantasy was the Test Piece.

The Adjudicator Jacob De Haan from Holland was clearly impressed by the Band’s performance as he made them winners by a massive 6 points over the runners up Drogheda Brass Band.

There is no time for the band to rest on it’s laurels as they are back on the competition trail this weekend when the represent Ireland in the European Brass Band Championships which this year is being held in the Waterfront Concert Hall in Belfast. The Band will be performing four pieces they are The Land of the Long White Cloud, Carrickfergus (Euphonium Solo), Bohemian Rhapsody, and Little Christmas, which is a specially commissioned test piece for the European Championships.

The Band would like to acknowledge the help and tutelage of Derek Broadbent during their preparations for both competitions.

Full Results: -

1^st: Arklow Shipping Silver Band 124 pts

2^nd Drogheda Brass Band 118 pts

3^rd Lourdes Brass Band 117 pts