Strabane Concert Brass provided adjudicator Andrew Duncan with an exhilarating performance of Martin Ellerby’s ‘Chivalry’ to win the Spring Festival Contest at the Brass Band League Championships on the weekend.

Strong line up

The event at the Alley Theatre in Strabane attracted a strong line up of 25 bands battling in six sections, with the former Black Dyke baritone player Peter Christian leading the home town favourites to victory over second placed Laganvale (Metal Technology) with Downshire Brass in third.

Andrew Duncan also awarded the prizes for ‘Best Percussion’, ‘Best Trombone’ and ‘Best Conductor’ to the band to reward the hard work put in by them over the last few months in preparation for the contest.

Dessie Neill of Laganvale won the ‘Best Soloist’ Award for his fine individual contribution to their performance.

Proud

Peter Christian, who claimed the prestigious Harry Brittain Memorial Cup, told 4BR: "The amount of effort and dedication that had been put in was a tremendous achievement and I was very proud that the band had given their utmost in every way to achieve first place."

Saturday’s victory spearheads the start of a busy few months ahead for the band with concerts planned in Derry, as part of the City of Culture celebrations, Ramelton, Rossnowlagh and Fermanagh.

Section wins

In the Second Grade, Third Carrickfergus under Des Graham’s baton took the Founders Cup Trophy with a clear two point winning margin over second placed Roughan Silver, with Ballyduff in third.

CWA Brass claimed the Third Grade title and 46th Old Boys Cup honours with a narrow victory over rivals Comber Silver and Wellington Silver.

St Mary’s Silver won the Fourth Grade, with Omagh Academy Brass claiming the Schools award and 1st Old Boys Youth Band claiming the Junior/Youth honours.

The amount of effort and dedication that had been put in was a tremendous achievement and I was very proud that the band had given their utmost in every way to achieve first placePeter Christian

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. Strabane Concert Brass — 194pts
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) — 193pts
3. Downshire Brass — 192pts
4. Murley Silver — 191pts
5. 1st Old Boys Silver — 190pts

Best Soloist: Dessie Neill (cornet) – Laganvale
Best Percussion: Strabane Concert Brass
Best Trombone Section: Strabane Concert Brass
Winning Conductor: Peter Christian (Strabane Concert Brass)

Second Grade:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. Third Carrickfergus — 184pts
2. Roughan Silver — 182pts
3. Ballyduff Silver — 181pts
Best Soloist: Ruth Dodridge (cornet) — Third Carrickfergus
Winning Conductor: Des Graham (Third Carrickfergus)

Third Grade:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. CWA Brass — 172pts
2. Comber Silver — 171pts
3. Wellington Silver — 170pts
4. St Mark's Silver — 168pts

Best Trombone Section: Comber Silver Band

Fourth Grade:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. St Mary's Silver — 160pts

School Bands:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. Omagh Academy Brass — 162pts
2. St Michael's College Brass — 160pts

Junior / Youth Bands:
Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. 1st Old Boys Youth — 170pts
2. Third Carrickfergus Junior — 169pts
3. Laureldale Ensemble — 168pts