The 91st Championship of Ireland Bands’ Contest was held on Saturday 1st November 2008, once again in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. The contest was adjudicated by conductor and Director of the Music School Saanenland-Obersimmental Mr Markus S. Bach.

This year the set piece for the Second Section Brass was “Prelude and Jubilate” by Darrol Barry. The band were only able to achieve 4th place. Congratulations to St. Joseph’s Brass on their well deserved win with an excellent performance and also to our friend William Hill on his victory in the championship section with the Murley Band.

Full results are as follows:

Second Grade Brass

Test Piece: PRELUDE AND JUBILATE (Darrol Barry)

1st place – St. Joseph’s Brass – Conductor: N Barr
2nd place – Downshire Brass – Conductor: Dr W Hylands

Best bass section: Roughan Silver
Best cornet section: St. Joseph’s Brass

Championship Brass

Test Piece: VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY (G Richards)

1st place: Murley Silver – Conductor: W Hill
2nd place: 1st Old Boys’ Brass – Conductor: S Cairns

Best Instrumentalist: B Connolly (Horn) – 1st Old Boys’ Brass
Conductors Prize: W Hill – Murley Silver