The North of Ireland Brass Band Championship took place at the Market Place Theatre in Armagh on the weekend, where Laganvale (Metal Technology) took the honours under the direction of MD Ernest Ruddock.
Finely constructed
A finely structured performance of Eric Ball’s set work, ‘Journey into Freedom’ gave the band a narrow one point margin of victory over reigning champion 1st Old Boy’s Association directed by Michael Fowles, with Murley Silver under William Hill in third.
Laganvale’s experienced soprano player Mark Ruddock took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.
4BR understands Laganvale will now be invited to compete at the 2013 European Brass Band Championships in Oslo.
In the Second Grade Section there was victory for St Joseph’s Brass, whilst other section titles went to CWA Brass, Dungannon Silver, Greystone and 1st Old Boys Silver Junior.
4BR apologises for the wrong information given on the initial report of the contest.
Result:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
1. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock) – 92
2. 1st Old Boys (Michael Fowles) – 91
3. Murley Silver (William Hill) – 90
4. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) – 88
5. Strabane Concert Brass (Peter Christian) – 87
Best Soloist: Laganvale (Metal Technology) — Mark Ruddock (Soprano)
Best Performance of the Day: St Joseph's Brass
2nd Grade:
1. St Joseph's Brass — 92
2. Drogheda Brass – 90
3. 3rd Carrickfergus — 88
4. Roughan Silver — 87
5. Ballyduff Silver — 86
Best Bass Section: St Joseph's
Best Cornet Section: St Joseph's
3rd Grade:
1. CWA Brass — 83
2. Comber Silver — 82
3. Wellington Memorial Silver — 80
4. St Mary's Silver — 78
5. St Mark's Silver — 77
6. Newtownards Silver — 76
4th Grade:
1. Dungannon Silver — 83
2. Poyntzpass Silver — 81
3. Warrenpoint Silver — 80
4. Banbridge Silver — 79
5th Grade/Unaffiliated Bands:
1. Greystone Silver — 83
2. Letterbreen Silver — 81
3. Aughnaskeagh Silver — 78
Youth Brass:
1. 1st Old Boys Silver Junior — 83
2. Roughan Silver Junior — 82
3. 3rd Carrick Junior — 81
4. Omagh Academy Brass — 80
5. St Michael's College — 78
6= Downshire Junior — 76
6= Laureldale Brass Ensemble — 76
