DCE & DCUK coming to Ireland in ‘09

The IMBA (Irish Marching Band Association) are delighted to announce that they will host the first ever DCE certified show in Ireland next summer. The IMBA are also pleased to announce that they will work closely in conjunction with DCUK to co-host this event. The show will take place in the south east coastal town of Arklow, Co.Wicklow, home town of current IMBA Div II Champions Inbhear Mór Marchers, who will act as host band for this event. The major bonus from this show is that, as well as being part of the overall IMBA & DCUK 2009 leagues it will also offer all bands/corps the opportunity to qualify for DCE finals in September. This will be the first event of its kind and will give Irish, UK & Mainland Europe corps the opportunity to perform and compete with each other. Current DCUK & DCE Champions, the Senators have already expressed an interest in making this event part of their 2009 schedule. It is hoped that more bands/corps from UK & Europe come on board to make this a truly international event. 

We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer accommodation and rehearsal facilities to any bands who wish to travel to this event. Due to Arklow’s close proximity to Dublin Airport as well as Dublin, Dun Laoghaire & Rosslare Ferry ports (all within 1 hour), we feel that this is a great opportunity for bands/corps to add another international event to their 2009 performance schedules.

The IMBA, DCE & DCUK have set the date as Saturday 11th July 2009 for what promises to be a truly memorable event. 

Alan Thompson, on behalf of DCUK, commented “With DCUK being a certified partner of DCE it made perfect sense to tie up with the IMBA and make this a full part of our 2009 season. We look forward to working with Óisin & the IMBA over the coming months to help produce an exciting spectacle for all European Drum Corps fans.”

The DCE board is very pleased with the IMBA and the Irish corps and bands entering the European activity" says Marcel Matthijsse, chairman of DCE. "This new DCE certified show in Ireland will create new competition opportunities in Europe. We're very much looking forward to this event, and we are very happy with the IMBA as a strategic partner."

The IMBA are delighted to enter this strategic partnership with DCE and are looking forward to what we hope will be the start of a great relationship which will further integrate Irish bands/corps onto the European circuit. 

Óisin Molloy
IMBA Secretary / Event Organiser 
imbaweb@yahoo.com

DCUK - celebrating 30 seasons as the the Home of British Drum Corps