On Saturday 2nd March 2024 the popular “Brass In Concert” entertainment contest was held, as usual, in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown. As always, this drew not only a large entry of bands but a large audience too.
The music adjudicator for the day was musician, composer, arranger, compere and teacher Mr. Alan Fernie and in the entertainment Adjudicator’s chair was none other than BBC Northern Ireland’s Fermanagh based reporter, Julian Fowler.
The Third Carrickfergus Band performed a well rehearsed “America” themed programme showcasing a wide range of music and styles and featuring superb soloists, Ruth Binding, playing Under the Boardwalk and Peter Graham along with Ryan McFaul who performed Goodbye Old Friend. We ended the day by winning the Best March Prize with The President and in overall 4th place for the day. Our congratulations go to all the winning bands and soloists and to all those who took part in order to may the event an enjoyable one.
The results of today’s contest were as follows;
Championship Section
1st Downshire Brass – Conductor: Michael Alcorn – (10,10) 20 points
2nd 1st Old Boys’ Band – Conductor: Dr J W Corry – (8,9) 17 points
3rd Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band – Conductor: K Anderson – (9,6) 15 points
Third Carrickfergus Band – Conductor: Brian Connolly – (7,7) 14 points
Murley Silver Band – Conductor: David Hawthorne – (6,8) 14 points
Best March: The President – Third Carrickfergus Band
Best Soloist: James Cooke, Soprano cornet (Over the Horizon) – Murley Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass
2nd Section
1st Roughan Silver Band – Conductor: Stephen Crooks – (10, 10) 20 points
2nd CWA Brass – Conductor: Gary Proctor – (9, 8) 17 points
Comber Silver Band – Conductor: Paul Hamilton – (8, 7) 15 points
Ballyduff Silver Band – Conductor: William Hill – (6*, 9) 15 point
* point deducted for running over time
Best March: Ballyduff Silver Band Band – The New Colonial
Best Soloist: Bert Shaw, Tenor horn (Stardust) – CWA Brass
Most Entertaining Band: Roughan Silver Band
3rd Section
1st Wellington Memorial Silver Band – Conductor: Stephen Cairns – (10, 10) 20 points
2nd Dungannon Silver Band – Conductor: Keith Anderson – (9, 9) 18 points
Poyntzpass Silver Band – Conductor: Stanley Lutton – (8, 7) 15 points
St Mark’s Silver Band – Conductor: Bob Quick – (7, 8) 15 points
Best March: Dungannon Silver Band – The Footlifter
Best Soloist: Amy Wilson, Flugel horn (What a Wonderful World) – Dungannon Silver Band
Most Entertaining Band: Wellington Memorial Silver Band
4th Section
No contest