The Navan Silver Band needs your help

Navan Silver Band brought some vital Christmas cheer to their families, friends and followers recently by performing Christmas Carols which they uploaded on Facebook.

It has been a tough year for Navan Siliver Band, like many other community groups, but the work continues, rehearsing remotely, mentoring young musicians and preparing students for Leaving and Junior Cert music exams.

2020 has been a tough year for many community organisations like Trim Silver Band, who have now set up a GoFundMe page to help raise vital funds.

“We had to cancel performances, weekly get-togethers and entering competitions,” says secretary Francis Duffy.

“COVID-19 has severely impacted our finances and our ability to raise much-needed funds through performances.

“We would normally have held three concerts and a church gate collection by now.

“Our funds have been badly hit and we need those fundraisers to help pay insurance, heating and electricity and our repayments on our hall.”

The Navan Silver Band is the oldest music group in Navan, having been established in 1941. Their premises is in Athlumney at the old Spicers Bakery.

For their Christmas performance they recorded themselves at home and this was all put together on video with the members appearing on screen in baubles on a Christmas tree.

One of their big disappointments over the past year was being unable to attend the South of Ireland Band Championships in Clonakilty and being unable to perform in public.

The band is determined to continue its activities despite lockdown.

Four senior members, Francis Duffy , Shane Smith, Michael Kennedy and Pat Masterson are mentoring five musicians each, arranging pieces for them.

The band also prepared its young musicians for Academy exams and the state exams. “They always get honours in music in the Leaving and Junior cert,” Francs points out.

He says that when lockdown is over and they are back fully in action, they would welcome new members.

“Anyone who wishes to join is more than welcome”.

You can donate to their fundraiser at https://gf.me/u/y6gymf