The 105th Championship of Ireland Bands’ Contest was held today, Saturday 14th October 2023 in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. As usual, the event had a good turn out of competing bands across the sections. Congratulations to all of today’s entrants in their preparation work, their conductors and, of course, to all the winners in their respective sections. Today’s contest was adjudicated by Sandy Smith.

Our sincere thanks for the intense preparation and dedication go to our conductor, Mr Brian Connolly, who continued his hard work despite nursing a broken wrist and, of course, to all our band members for their efforts. We achieved a 4th place today however were pleased with our performance.

The set piece for the Champion Section Brass was A King’s Lie by Stan Nieuwenhuis.

Full results of the day are as follows:

Championship Brass

Test Piece: A King’s Lie (Stan Nieuwenhuis)

1st place: Downshire Brass – Conductor: Michael Alcorn – 190 points
2nd place: 1st Old Boys Silver Band – Conductor: Dr Jonathan W Corry – 189 points
3rd place: Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band – Conductor: Keith Anderson – 187 points
Third Carrickfergus Band – Conductor: Brian Connolly – 186 points
Strabane Brass – Conductor: Charles Fyffe – 185 points
Murley Silver Band – Conductor: Stephen Crooks – 184 points

Best Instrumentalist: Louise Bell, principal cornet – 1st Old Boys Silver Band
Conductors Prize: Michael Alcorn, Downshire Brass
Best Overall Performance of the Day: Downshire Brass

Second Grade Brass

Test Piece: Lake of the Moon (Kevin Huber)

1st place: Roughan Silver Band – Conductor: Stephen Crooks – 186 points
2nd place: Ballyduff Silver Band – Conductor: William Hill – 184 points
3rd place: CWA Brass – Conductor: Gary Proctor – 183 points
Comber Silver Band – Conductor: Paul Hamilton – 181 points
Lourdes Silver Band – Conductor: ? – 180 points
Dynamic Brass – Conductor: Andrew McGuiggan – 179 points

Best Cornet Section: Roughan Silver Band
Best Bass Section: Roughan Silver Band

Third Grade Brass

Test Piece: Argos (Stephen Hodel Points)

1st place: Dungannon Silver – Conductor: Boris Pinto – 182 points
2nd place: Poyntzpass Silver Band – Conductor: Stanley Lutton – 180 points
Wellington Memorial Silver – Conductor: Stephen Cairns – 179 points
St. Marks Silver – Conductor: Bob Quick – 178 points