*
banner

Report & Results: 2015 NIBBA Entertainment

Downshire Brass leads the way with a hat-trick entertainment victory in Belfast.

Welsh
 

The School of Creative Arts at Queen's University Belfast recently hosted the Northern Ireland Brass Band League's fifth Festival of Brass Entertainment Contest.

Impress

14 bands came to perform their programmes at Whitla Hall to impress a supportive audience as well as adjudicators Steve Sykes (music) and Angela Haley (entertainment).

Tight battle

The Championship Section saw possibly the tightest battle in the contest's history, with Downshire Brass directed by Michael Alcorn eventually taking the overall honours for a third year running ahead of Laganvale (Metal Technology) and Strabane Concert Brass.

Laganvale also took the 'Best March' prize with soprano star Mark Ruddock taking the 'Best Soloist' award for a stunning rendition of 'Flowerdale'.

Section wins

Although there were a number of late withdrawals from the Third and Second Sections, St Mark's Silver and CWA Brass provided fine performances as they took unopposed titles, whilst Maguiresbridge Silver achieved a clean-sweep of the prizes in the Fourth Section against stiff competition from Warrenpoint Silver and Dynamic Brass.

1st Larne Old Boys Silver conducted by Bill Clements commenced the day in the Fifth Section with William Hollinger taking home the soloist award for his super rendition of 'Buster Strikes Back'.

Unstoppable youth

Meanwhile, the seemingly unstoppable 1st Old Boy's Youth Band won the Youth Section for the fifth year in a row, claiming the 'Best March' and 'Best Soloist' prizes, with Downshire Brass Youth awarded the Entertainment Prize.

Pleasure

Music Adjudicator Steve Sykes told 4BR: "It was a great pleasure to adjudicate at the contest. Queen's University proved to be a first class venue and the bands revelled in the acoustic.

The programmes selected featured wide and varied repertoire and the audience was certainly entertained in style. I particularly enjoyed some fine solo playing and was also very impressed by the Youth Bands."

Thanks

A Brass Band League spokesperson told 4BR: "We would like to thank all the bands who took part in the Festival, compere William Caughey, Vice Chancellor, Professor Tony Gallacher, and staff of Queen's University for their support, and all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event a success.

It was a great pleasure to adjudicate at the contest. Queen's University proved to be a first class venue and the bands revelled in the acousticAdjudicator, Steve Sykes

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Sykes (Music); Angela Haley (Entertainment)
Music /Entertainment =Total

1. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn): 9/10=19
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band (Brian Connolly): 10/6=16*
3. Strabane Concert Brass (James McCafferty): 7/9=16*
4. 1st Old Boys Silver (Steve Barnett): 8/7=15
5. Third Carrickfergus (Desmond Graham): 6/8=14

*Music adjudication takes precedence

Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass
Best March: 'Cross of Honour' (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band)
Best Soloist: Mark Ruddock (Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band)


Second Section:
Music /Entertainment =Total

1. CWA Brass: 10/10=20
Roughan Silver Band: (withdrawn)

Most Entertaining Band: CWA Brass
Best March: 'The Cossack' (CWA Brass)
Best Soloist: Jackie Moore (CWA Brass)

Third Section:
Music /Entertainment =Total

1. St Mark's Silver (James Parks): 10/10=20

Most Entertaining Band: St Mark's Silver
Best March: 'Come Follow the Band' (St Mark's Silver)
Best Soloist: Aaron Watson (St Mark's Silver)

Fourth Section:
Music /Entertainment =Total Points

1. Maguiresbridge Silver (Adeline Magill): 10/10=20
2. Warrenpoint Silver: 9/9=18
3. Dynamic Brass: 8/8=16

Most Entertaining Band: Maguiresbridge Silver
Best March: 'Steadfast & True' (Maguiresbridge Silver)
Best Soloist: Matthew Kells (Maguiresbridge)

Fifth Section:
Music /Entertainment =Total

1. 1st Larne Old Boys Silver (Bill Clements): 10/10=20

Most Entertaining Band: 1st Larne Old Boys Silver
Best March: 'Elisa' (1st Larne Old Boys Silver)
Best Soloist: William Hollinger (1st Larne)

Youth Band:
Music /Entertainment =Total

1. 1st Old Boys Youth: 10/9=19*
2. Downshire Brass Youth: 9/10=19*
3. Third Carrickfergus Junior: 8/8=16

*Music adjudication mark takes precedence

Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass Youth
Best March: 'Marching Home' — 1st Old Boys Youth
Best Soloist: Connor Chambers & Conor Brannigan (1st Old Boys Youth)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


podcast

Join us now — 4BR Review podcast: Lessons from Europe?

October 29 • Join the discussion on whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host their major championship competitions.


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Sunday 2 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 2 November • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. SE10 9BJ SE10 9BJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Elland Silver Band

Sunday 2 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 7 November • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Drighlington Band

October 30 • Drighlington Band are looking for the following players for a full compliment: . . - Front Row Cornet . - Euph or Baritone or Trombone (we are flexible!) . - Percussion (Kit or tuned)


Hathersage Band

October 30 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Delph Band

October 30 • The Band are always looking for talented players to join them and are currently looking to fill the following positions - Tutti Cornet, Eb Bass and Percussion.. . We rehearse Mondays and Wednesdays 8-10pm at Delph Band Club.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd