1st Old Boys Band has claimed the Brass in Concert Entertainments Contest title held recently at Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown.

Programme

The band’s programme of ‘In the Stone’ (arr. Gilbert Tinner), ‘The Flying Eagle’ (Blankenburg), ‘The Witch of Westmorland’ (arr Philip Harper), ‘Delilah Version 3’ (arranged by Alan Haworth) and ‘Danse Diabolique’ (Hellmesberger) gained full marks for both music and entertainment from judges Jonathan Corry and Frank Sweeney.

Clear win

It proved to be good enough to give them a clear margin of victory over second placed Murley Silver with Downshire Brass and Laganvale in joint third.

The band took to the stage with one of the youngest ever line ups in their contesting history after promoting four new members from their successful youth band. Rebecca, Louise, Hannah and Andrew are still at school and aged between 11 and 12, but played with a maturity beyond their years.

Broken wrist

And according to their spokesperson, it was also a question of commitment beyond his years for one player too: “Unbeknown to us, Andrew (above) hurt his right arm playing rugby before the contest, but he bravely played the tuba despite him admitting later that ‘it hurt a bit’,” they said.

“The next day his arm was still very sore and he went to hospital, only to find that his wrist was fractured in two places.

The hospital commented on his very high pain threshold. That’s dedication!”

The next day his arm was still very sore and he went to hospital, only to find that his wrist was fractured in two places. The hospital commented on his very high pain threshold. That’s dedication!1st Old Boys

Result:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Jonathan Corry (music) & Frank Sweeney (entertainment)
Music + Entertainment = Total

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

*Music points take precedent
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys