The annual Brass Band League own choice contest was held this year in Carrickfergus Town Hall on Saturday 31st March 2007 where the band achieved 3rd place. The adjudicator was Mr Chris Wormald.

This year the band chose to play “Purcell Variations” by Kenneth Downie, a challenging and brilliantly written piece of music which is full of technical difficulties but thoroughly enjoyable to play. Choosing a taxing piece has always been an important part of how the band work as they strongly believe that by pushing themselves this is the only way to improve and develop. This is something that the band will continue to do in the future irrespective of how adjudicators look upon it.

Surprisingly, the results of this contest are exactly the same as last year and we would like to congratulate the winners, The Ballyduff Silver Band under the baton of their conductor Mr W Hill on their achievement.

The results ase as follows:

Second Section Brass

1st place – Ballyduff Silver – Conductor: W Hill
2nd place – Downshire Brass – Conductor: P Hamilton
3rd place – Third Carrickfergus Band – Conductor: D Graham

Congratulations also to the winners of the championship section – Strabane Concert Brass under the musical directorship of J Corry with their interpretation of the superb “The Year of the Dragon” by Philip Sparke.