1st Old Boys win at the Valley

2017 BBLNI Brass in Concert Championships

Fifteen bands took part in the recent BBLNI 'Brass in Concert' Championships in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
Held at the local Valley Hotel, the day began with some excellent performances in Section 4, which were much appreciated by the supportive audience. Letterbreen's 'American' theme secured victory along with the Most Entertaining Band Award. Wellington Memorial secured the Section 3 title and a hat trick under the baton of Gary Proctor, whilst a tightly-fought Section 2 saw defending champion, Roughan, reclaim the title by securing first place in both music and entertainment, as well as taking the Best March prize for the appropriately named The Champions.

The day concluded with the top section and outstanding performances from the top three bands in particular, which really impressed adjudicators, Andrew Porter and Rachel Bingham, but it was 1st Old Boys under Stephen Cairns who took the overall honour for the sixth time since the Brass in Concert event was revived in 2010.

Said aspokesman for the the Brass Band League: “We would like to congratulate all prize-winners and all competing bands for a fantastic day of music-making and entertainment. We also thank Greg Williamson and his team at the Valley Hotel for all their support, without which the event would not have been possible."

RESULTS

Adjudicators: Andrew Porter (Music) and Rachel Bingham (Entertainment)
Music/Entertainment=Total

 CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION

1. 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band (Stephen Cairns) 9/9=18*
2. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) 8/10=18
3. Murley Silver Band (William Hill) 10/7=17
4. Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band (Stephen Crooks) 7/8=15
5. Third Carrickfergus Band (Brian Connolly) 6/6=12

*Music mark takes precedence

Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass
Best March: Murley Silver Band (The Cossack)
Best Soloist: James Cooke (Murley Silver Band)

 
SECTION 2

1. Roughan Silver Band (Keith Anderson) 10/10=20
2. Ballyduff Silver Band (William Hill) 9/8=17
3. Comber Silver Band (Wesley Thompson) 8/9=17

Most Entertaining Band: Roughan Silver Band
Best March: Roughan Silver Band (The Champions)
Best Soloist: Jenny Hill (Ballyduff Silver Band)

SECTION 3

1. Wellington Memorial Silver Band (Gary Proctor) 10/10=20
2. Dungannon Silver Band (Boris Pinto) 9/9=18
3. St Mark's Silver Band (Ryan Parks) 8/8=16

Most Entertaining Band: Wellington Memorial Silver Band
Best March: Wellington Memorial Silver Band (The Cobblers)
Best Soloist: Lauren Stewart (Wellington Memorial Silver Band)

SECTION 4

1. Letterbreen Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) 9/10=19
2. Warrenpoint Silver Band (Mark Newman) 8/9=17
3. Poyntzpass Silver Band (Bobby Davidson) 9/7=16
4. Dynamic Brass (Harold Whan) 7/8=15

Most Entertaining Band: Letterbreen Silver Band
Best March: Poyntzpass Silver Band (Kenilworth)
Best Soloist: Mervyn Smyth (Warrenpoint Silver Band)