The Brass Band League in association with The School of Creative Arts at Queen’s University Belfast held the 5th “Festival of Brass” entertainment contest in the Whitla Hall, Belfast on Saturday 21st November 2015.
The music adjudicator was Steve Sykes
The entertainment adjudicator was Angela Haley
The compere was William Caughey
The final contest of the year saw the Third Carrickfergus Band compete for the second time in the Championship Section. Despite the 5th place on the day the band were, however, able to achieve a 3rd place for entertainment which is a step in the right direction in settling in to the high level of competition in the Championship Section.
We also congratulate our Junior Band for giving a sterling performance in the Youth Band Section under the direction of conductor Peter Arthurs.
The music played by the band was;
Strike Up The Band – George Gershwin arr. Goff Richards.
Carrickfergus – Traditional arr. Alan Fernie Soloist: Ruth Binding – Flugel
The Mask of Zorro – James Horner arr. Sandy Smith
Abide With Me – W H Monk arr. Karl Jenkins
The New Colonial March – R B Hall
Liszteria – Sandy Smith Soloists: Matthew Brown and David Hawthorne – Xylophone
Caravan – Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol arr. Steve Sykes
Our congratulations to all who competed today and also to those who won in their respective sections.
The full results for the contest are noted below. Music points are shown first – i.e. music,entertainment = total points. (In the event of a tie, the band with the highest music points will be awarded the higher place.
Youth Bands
1st: 1st Old Boys Association Youth Band – Conductor: Mrs J Bingham – 10,9 = 19 points
Downshire Brass Youth Band – Conductor: Prof. M Alcorn – 9,10 = 19 points
Third Carrickfergus Junior Band – Conductor: P Arthurs – 8,8 = 16 points
Best March: Marching Home, 1st Old Boys Association Youth Band
Best Soloist: Connor Chambers & Connor Brannigan (The Two Imps), 1st Old Boys Association Youth Band
Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass Youth Band
5th Grade
1st: 1st Larne Old Boys’ Silver Band – Conductor: B Clements – 10,10 = 20 points
Best March: Elisa, 1st Larne Old Boys’ Silver Band
Best Soloist: William Hollinger – Cornet (Buster Strikes Back), 1st Larne Old Boys’ Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Larne Old Boys’ Silver Band
4th Grade
1st: Maguiresbridge Silver Band – Conductor: Mrs A Magill – 10,10 = 20 points
Warrenpoint Silver Band – 9,9 = 18 points
Dynamic Brass – 8,8 = 16 points
Best March: Steadfast and True, Maguiresbridge Silver Band
Best Soloist: Matthew Kells – Flugelhorn (Gabriel’s Oboe – Theme from “The Mission”), Maguiresbridge Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: Maguiresbridge Silver Band
3rd Grade
1st: St Mark’s Silver Band – Conductor: J Parkes – 10,10 = 20 points
Best March: Barnum – Come Follow The Band, St Mark’s Silver Band
Best Soloist: Aaron Watson – Flugelhorn (Big Spender), St Mark’s Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: St Mark’s Silver Band
2nd Grade
1st: CWA Brass – Conductor: E Ruddock – 10,10 = 20 points
Best March: The Cossack – CWA Brass
Best Soloist: Jackie Moore (Cornet)- Amazing Grace, CWA Brass
Most Entertaining Band: CWA Brass
Championship Grade
1st: Downshire Brass – Conductor: Prof. M Alcorn – 9,10 = 19 points
2nd: Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band – Conductor: B Connolly – 10,6 = 16 points
2nd=: Strabane Concert Brass – Conductor: J MacCafferty – 7,9 = 16 points
1st Old Boys Association Silver Band – Conductor: S Barnett – 8,7 = 15 points
Third Carrickfergus Band – Conductor: D Graham – 6,8 = 14 points
Best March: Cross of Honour, Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band
Solo Prize: Mark Ruddock (Soprano Cornet) – Flowerdale, Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band
Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass