Players from member bands of the Brass Band League (NI) descended on Malone Presbyterian Church Hall in South Belfast for their annual Solo & Quartet competition recently.

162 entries

With 89 entries in the Junior Sections and 73 in the Senior Sections, the event has once again been hailed as a fantastic success for the local banding movement in Northern Ireland.

Encouraging

Particularly encouraging this year was the increase in younger players competing in the senior sections, with several gaining podium finishes.

20 year old tuba player Stephen Crooks of the Murley Band claimed both the Slow Melody and B Solo titles, whilst cornet player Nathan Thompson, aged 18, of Laganvale Band claimed 3rd place in the A Solos.

19 year old Daniel Rollston of Murley and Sam Brodison aged 15, of Ballyduff claimed podium finishes in B solos event against much more experienced players.

Seniors

Senior Sections adjudicator Ian Williams said that he felt privileged to be asked to adjudicate the competition, where the standard was so high that it really came down to just a few mispitched notes.

In the A Solos, experienced performer Dessie Neill was outstanding on Gregson’s ‘Prelude & Capriccio’ but was narrowly pipped by Mark Ruddock on soprano, with his skilfully crafted performance of Herbert Clarke’s ‘The Debutant’.

Ian Williams was impressed with the overall quality of performances, telling 4BR: "There is no doubt brass banding in Northern Ireland is thriving with exceptionally talented youngsters set to grace the contest stage for years to come."

Juniors

Bob Quick who judged the 100+ young brass players who performed on the day was also impressed.

He added: "The standard of these young performers was exceptional and a joy to listen to. From the under 10s to the under 17s the playing was musical and the pieces well chosen.

A couple of stand-out performances for me were the 15 & under winner, Leah Forsythe of Third Carrickfergus on flugel, and 17 & under winner Alexandra Maxwell of Murley Silver on cornet playing with such style and maturity."

Increase

Bob also noted that it was great to see an increase in the number of ensembles who all played with panache and thanked all the conductors and parent bands for the massive effort in performing at the event.

He added: "The day was run by the BBL with enviable efficiency – and even the accompanists sprinted between junior and solo sections to make sure they didn’t miss anyone!"

Brass Band League Secretary, Paul Kirk added: "The day could not have been possible without an army of volunteers working behind the scenes.

Our thanks go to contest controller Alan Hunter for his huge efforts in organising the entries and ensuring that the day passed off smoothly."

There is no doubt brass banding in Northern Ireland is thriving with exceptionally talented youngsters set to grace the contest stage for years to comeAdjudicator Ian Williams

Results:

Junior Sections:

10 + Under Solo:
1. Hannah Flavelle (1st Old Boys Youth Band) — 88
2. Andrew Milligan (1st Old Boys Youth Band) — 87
3. Kelly Beacom (Maguiresbridge Silver Band) — 86

12 + Under Solo:
1. Nikki McAuley (Downshire Brass) — 88
2= Mercer MacWilliam Hughes (1st Old Boys Youth Band) — 87
2= Rebecca Beacom (Maguiresbridge Silver Band) — 87
3. Mark Lindsay (Comber Silver Band) — 86

12 + Under Ensemble:
1. 1st Old Boys Youth Band — 91

15 + Under Solo:
1. Leah Forysthe (Third Carrickfergus Band) — 91
2. Chloe Eagleson (Murley Silver Band) — 90
3= Jordan Thompson (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 89
3= Jessica Weatherup (Templemore Junior Band) — 89

Junior Band:
1. 1st Old Boys Youth Band — 88
2. Third Carrick Junior Band — 86
3. Laureldale Ensemble — 85

17 + Under Solo:
1. Alexandra Maxwell (Murley Silver Band) — 91
2. Sam Brodison (Ballyduff Silver Band) — 90
3. Sarah Thompson (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 88

17 + Under Ensemble:
1. Templemore Junior Band — 90
2= Ballyduff Silver Band — 88
2= Third Carrick Junior Band — 88

John Patton Trophy:
Leah Forysthe (Third Carrickfergus Band)

Senior Sections:

Slow Melody:
1. Stephen Crooks (Murley Silver Band) — 98
2. Elizabeth Connor (Longridge Band) — 97
3. Dessie Neill (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 96

B Solo:
1. Stephen Crooks (Murley Silver Band) — 94
2. Daniel Rollston (Murley Silver Band) — 93
3. Sam Brodison (Ballyduff Silver Band) — 92

A Solo:
1. Mark Ruddock (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 98
2. Dessie Neill (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 97
3. Nathan Thompson (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band) — 96

Senior Ensemble:
1. Downshire Brass — 93
2. 1st Old Boys Silver Band — 92

B Quartet:
1. Comber Silver Band — 90

A Quartet:
1. 1st Old Boys Silver Band — 97
2. Longridge Band — 96