The 2008 contesting year kicked off with the second annual entertainments contest which was held in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown on Saturday 23rd February. We entered this contest as reigning champions, however, this year we were pipped at the post by the Ballyduff Band ending up in second place with only 1 point seperating the two bands. Once again, playing to a full house, the band performed a well controlled programme and were able to pick up the prize for the best soloist in pricipal cornet player, Ruth Montgomery, whose flawless and beautifully played rendition of Alan Morrison’s arrangement of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Lazy River” suitably impressed both audience and the adjudicator.

The music programme played by the band was:

Goldcrest – James Anderson
Lazy River – Hoagy Carmichael arr. Alan Morrison – Soloist Ruth Montgomery
Kalinka – arr. Ray Woodfield
A String of Pearls – Gray arr. D Neese
Trumpets Wild – Harold L Walters
Oklahoma – Richard Rodgers arr. Alan Catherall
An American Trilogy – arr. Goff Richards

Congratulations to all the band members for their efforts and also to our friends at the Ballyduff Band on their win.

The band really understand the importance of working hard. Of course they like to have fun like the rest of us maybe going to the gym or playing about at foxy but they like to keep their eye on the ball when it comes to their music. Being in a band is a fun environment and one that they all enjoy. It doesn’t matter if they don’t win, it’s the taking part that counts and enjoying everyone else’s music as well.

The senior section bands followed and was won by the First Old Boys Silver Band with an excellent and entertaining programme of music. Contratulations also go to them on their victory.

The adjudicator for the day was musician and arranger Alan Fernie

Results of the second section are noted below: (Points listing – Music + Entertainment = Total)

1st -The Ballyduff Silver Band – 88 + 45 = 133
2nd – Third Carrick Silver Band – 87 + 45 = 132
3rd – Downshire Brass – 86 + 43 = 129

Best Soloist – Ruth Montgomery – Third Carrickfergus Silver Band
Best March – The Ballyduff Band – The New Colonial