The Brass Band League recently returned to Strabane's Alley Theatre to present its annual Spring Festival contest as guests of the North West Music Festival.

Adjudicator David Thornton reported on a great day of music making by all the competitors, with Downshire Brass claiming the Championship Section Rothman Trophy for the first time with their classy performance of Philip Sparke's ‘Tallis Variations’.

Top section boost

It proved to be a wonderful boost of confidence before they headed off to the European Championship in Freiburg, alongside the added bonus of also picking up the ‘Best Percussion’ trophy and conductor Michael Alcorn taking possession of the Harry Brittain Memorial Cup.

Second place, and just a point behind, came 1st Old Boys with their performance of ‘Rococo Variations’, with Laganvale's solo euphonium John Murdock presented with the Harry Gault Memorial Trophy as ‘Best Soloist’ in their rendition of ‘Festival Music’ in coming third.

Ocean win for Third Carrickfergus

The closely fought Second Section saw Third Carrickfergus Band under Des Graham pip CWA Brass to retain possession of the Founders Cup, with acting principal cornet Morris Cameron receiving special praise from the adjudicator for his outstanding ‘Best Soloist’ contribution to their performance of ‘Oceans’ to claim the Ross Aiken Memorial Trophy.

Winning return for St Joseph’s

Meanwhile, local band, St Joseph's Brass under Noel Brass returned to the contesting scene in style after a period of absence with a win in the Third Section on their own choice selection of ‘Dimensions’ — much to the delight of their supporters in the audience, whilst their trombone section also claimed the Clive McBride Memorial Trophy.

Fine rendition

Despite being the only band in the Junior Section, a fine rendition of Philip Sparke's ‘Shalom’ by 1st Old Boys Youth Band drew favourable comment from the adjudicator on their energetic performance.

The traditional battle in the schools section also saw David Thornton comment on a brace of fine principal cornet players, whilst awarding the trophy to St Michael's College, Enniskillen.

It proved to be a wonderful boost of confidence before they headed off to the European Championship in Freiburg4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) — 194
2. 1st Old Boys Association Silver (Stephen Cairns) — 193
3. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Stephen Crooks) — 192
4. Strabane Concert Brass (Peter Christian) — 191

Best Soloist: John Murdock (Laganvale)
Best Percussion: Downshire Brass
Best Trombone Section: 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band
Winning Conductor: Michael Alcorn (Downshire)


Second Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. Third Carrickfergus (Desmond Graham) — 188
2. CWA Brass (Robin Clinton) — 187
3. Roughan Silver (Keith Anderson) — 186

Best Soloist: Morris Cameron (Third Carrickfergus)
Winning Conductor: Des Graham (Third Carrickfergus)

Third Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. St Joseph's Brass Band (Strabane) (Noel Barr) — 185
2. Comber Silver (Welsey Thompson) — 183
3. Wellington Memorial Silver (Jimmy Kitchen) — 178

Best Trombone Section: St Joseph's Brass Band

Junior Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. 1st Old Boys Youth Band — 173

School Band Section:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

1. St Michael's College — 173
2. Omagh Academy — 172