The Band today competed in the annual BBL Spring Festival, which was held for the first time in the Alley Theatre in Strabane. Playing “The Dark Side Of The Moon” by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, the band managed only a 4th place on the day, however, were joint runners up along with Newtownards Silver in the quest for Band of the Year. Congratulations to 1st Old Boys, St. Josephs Brass, Newtownards Silver and St. Mary’s Silver on their winning performances and also in particular 1st Old Boys Band who also became Band of the Year. The adjudicator for the day was Alan Fernie and the compere was Mr William Caughey (BBL President).

The band now move to start rehearsals before recording a new CD. The recording will take place during June 2009 and the CD should go on sale during the summer months.

Full results of the day are noted below:

Second Section Brass

1st Place: St. Joseph’s Brass – Conductor: N Barr – Triptych with 88 points, Best conductor – N Barr
2nd Place: Downshire Brass – Conductor: M Alcorn – Purcell Variations with 87 points
3rd Place – Ballyduff Band – Conductor: W Hill – Variations on Laudate Dominum with 86 points, Best soloist – M McKnight, Solo cornet

Championship Section

1st Place – 1st Old Boys – Conductor: S Cairns – English Heritage with 93 points, Best conductor – S Cairns
2nd Place – Laganvale Metal Technology Band – Conductor: E Ruddock – Spectrum with 91 points and Best soloist – M Ruddock, soprano cornet

The percussion prize in this section was awarded to – Strabane Concert Brass