1st Old Boys made it five titles in a row at the Brass Band League of Northern Ireland Brass in Concert Championships, held at the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown last weekend.

Music & Entertainment

The band took both the ‘Best Music’ and ‘Best Entertainment’ prizes to claim the honours ahead of Laganvale (Metal Technology), with Downshire Brass in third and Murley Brass fourth.

The band’s winning programme started with ‘Just a Closer Walk’, complete with funeral band and coffin, before breaking into ‘Dixie’ in true New Orleans fashion. After a period of ill health, euphonium player Alan Haworth produced a wonderful rendition of ‘Donegal Bay’ before the band produced a swaggering performance of the march, ‘The Great Little Army’.

Muppets

Alan’s comedic arrangement of, ‘Mah Na Mah Na’ from the Muppet Show followed, before there was a touching tribute to the band’s former tuba player Jack Shaw in ‘Abide with Me’. The programme ended with an exciting rendition of ‘The Gael’.

Music Adjudicator, John Doyle was suitably impressed, adding in his written remarks: "There was not a hint of arrogance. A superb programme played well. You play balanced and in tune. Comedy item was very clever. Thank you for a great show."

Dessie Neil from Laganvale picked up the solo award with his fine rendition of ‘Satchmo’, whilst Murley claimed the ‘Best March’ prize.

Section awards

In the Second Section, victory went to Third Carrickfergus, with soprano player Peter Arthurs taking the ‘Best Soloist’ Award for his splendid account of ‘Live and Let Die’, whilst Ballyduff Silver claimed the entertainment prize and the 'Best March' for their rendition of 'The Pacer'.

The Third Section saw victory for CWA Brass as they also claimed the entertainment prize. Second place went to St Mark’s Silver, with Wellington Silver in third, who took the 'Bets March' award for their performance of 'Slaidburn'.

Ruth Thompson took the ‘Best Soloist’ award for her vocal contribution to ‘Orange Coloured Sky’ with Comber Silver

The Fourth Section honours went to Letterbeam Silver Band, ahead of St Mary’s Silver and Dungannon Silver, although fourth placed Warrenpoint Silver claimed the prizes for ‘Best March’ for the rendition of 'Star Lake' and Best Soloist’ for Mervyn Smith’s fine performance of ‘Entry of the Clowns’.

There was not a hint of arrogance. A superb programme played well. You play balanced and in tune. Comedy item was very clever. Thank you for a great showAdjudicator, John Doyle

Results:
Musical Adjudicator: John Doyle
Entertainment Adjudicator: Rachel Bingham

Championship Section:
Music & Entertainment = Total

1. 1st Old Boys Silver: (10/10) = 20
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology): (9/9) = 18
3. Downshire Brass: (8/8) = 16
4. Murley Silver: (7/7) = 14

Best Soloist: Dessie Neil (Laganvale Metal Technology)
Best March: Murley Silver
Entertainment: 1st Old Boys

Second Section:
1. Third Carrickfergus: (10/9) = 19
2. Ballyduff Silver Band: (10/8) = 18
3. Roughan Silver Band: (9/8) = 17

Best March: Ballyduff Silver
Best Soloist: Peter Arthurs (Third Carrickfergus)
Entertainment: Ballyduff Silver

Third Section:
1. CWA Brass: (10/10) = 20
2. St Mark's Silver Band: (9/9) = 18
3. Wellington Silver Band: (8/8) = 16
4. Comber Silver Band: (7/7) = 14

Best Soloist: Ruth Thompson (Comber Silver)
Best March: Wellington Silver
Entertainment: CWA Brass

Fourth Section:
1. Letterbreen Silver Band: (10/10) = 20
2. St Mary's Silver Band: (9/7) = 16*
3. Dungannon Silver Band: (8/8) = 16*
4. Warrenpoint Silver Band: (7/9) = 16*

Best Soloist: Mervyn Smith (horn) Warrenpoint Silver
Best March: Warrenpoint Silver
Entertainment: Letterbeam Silver

*Where a tie on total points occurs, the band with the most music points is awarded the prize