On Saturday 28th February 2026 the ever popular “Brass In Concert” entertainment contest was held, as usual, in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown. The contest drew not only a large entry of bands but a large audience too.
The music adjudicator for the day was Andrea Price and in the entertainment Adjudicator’s chair was none other than singer and broadcaster Hugo Duncan MBE.
The Third Carrickfergus Band performed a well rehearsed programme based on a movies theme showcasing a wide range of music and styles and featured our cornet soloist, Kelly Kaya, playing “Dimitri.” The programme was put together in a short time and was the first featuring our new conductor, Keith Anderson, who did a sterling job with the band in his short time with us. We ended the day with a 5th place in music and a 5th place in entertainment.
A very special mention to our glamorous compere, Vicky Watson, who exuded real class in her delivery of the script and as always we were very grateful to our guest Andy McGuiggan on percussion. Great start too for our new members graham Murray and Harry Topping who both slotted in seamlessly with the Third Carrick Family.
Our congratulations go to all the winning bands and soloists and to all those who took part in order to make the event an enjoyable one.
The full results of today’s contest were as follows;
Championship Section
1st 1st Old Boys’ Band – Conductor: Dr J W Corry – (10, 10) 20 points
2nd Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band – Conductor: C Fyffe – (9, 7) 16 points
3rd Strabane Brass – Conductor: B Coyle – (8, 8) 16 points
Downshire Brass – Conductor: R Ashmore – (7, 9) 16 points
Third Carrickfergus Band – Conductor: K Anderson – (6, 6) 12 points
Marley Silver Band – Conductor: K Teers – (6, 5) 11 points
Best March: Great Little Army – 1st Old Boys’ Band
Best Soloist: John Murdock, Euphonium (Wayfarer) – Murley Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys’ Band
2nd Section
1st CWA Brass – Conductor: Stephen Cairns – (10, 9) 19 points
2nd Comber Silver Band – Conductor: Paul Hamilton – (8, 10) 18 points
Roughan Silver Band – Conductor: Stephen Crooks – (9, 8) 17 points
Ballyduff Silver Band – Conductor: Willie Hill – (7, 7) 14 points
Naval Silver Band – Conductor: Kevin Teers – (6, 6) 12 points
Best March: CWA Brass – Castel Coch
Best Soloist: James McCabe, cornet (Carnival of Venice) – CWA Brass
Most Entertaining Band: Comber Silver Band
3rd Section
1st Dynamic Brass – Conductor: Andrew McGuiggan – (10,10) 20 points
2nd St Mark’s Silver Band – Conductor: Bob Quick – (9, 8) 17 points
Wellington Memorial Silver Band – Conductor: Ryan Parks – (7, 9) 16 points
Dungannon Silver Band – Conductor: B Pinto – (8, 7) 15 points
Best March: Dynamic Brass – Star Lake
Best Soloist: Rachel Gilpin – cornet (Light Walk) – St. Marks Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: Dynamic Brass
4th Section
No contest