Report & Results: 2016 BBL Northern Ireland Festival of Brass

There are wins for Laganvale, Lourdes Brass, Wellington Memorial, Dynamic Brass, 1st Larne Old Boys and 1st Old Boys Youth in the heart of Belfast.

Laganvale under MD Stephen Crooks claimed the Grade 1 entertainment honours at the annual Brass Band League of Northern Ireland 'Festival of Brass' competition held recently at Queen's University of Belfast.

Supportive

16 competitors produced a fine day of enjoyable music making, with the bands from the North and South of Ireland entertaining a very supportive audience.

The adjudicators were Dave Lea, MD of Jaguar Land Rover Band and conductor of the national music school in Hammelberg Germany, who took care of musicality, with music teacher, adjudicator and reviewer for BBC Radio Ulster, Gillian McCutcheon, looking at the entertainment.

Laganvale victory

In what turned out to be a closely fought top flight contest, Laganvale denied defending champion Downshire Brass making it four successive victories. They had to be content with second place on this occasion with 1st Old Boys in third.

Laganvale also took the prize for 'Best March' with their rendition of 'The Cornish Cavalier', whilst Claire Hueston of 3rd Carrickfergus was awarded the 'Best Soloist' prize for her wonderful playing of 'Don't Doubt Him Now'.

Lourdes above

Meanwhile, Lourdes Brass directed by Prof Michael Alcorn (above) scooped first place, as well as the award for 'Most Entertaining Band', in the Grade 2 contest.

The current South of Ireland champion opened their programme with 'When Thunder Calls' followed by the march 'Castell Coch'. Soloist Mark Newman gave a moving performance of 'Rusalka's Song to the Moon' before Lourdes completed their 20 minute set with 'You've Been Warned'.

CWA claimed the 'Best March' prize for 'Goldcrest', whilst their fine cornet player Jackie Moore won the 'Best Soloist' trophy.

Wellington triumphant

Wellington Memorial Silver under Gary Proctor took the top spot and all prizes in the Grade 3 Section, including a well deserved 'Best Soloist' award for young flugel player Lauren Stewart.

Meanwhile, the rapidly improving Dynamic Brass led by Harold Whan won the Grade 4 Section prize along with the 'Best Soloist' prize for cornet player Patricia Evans and 'Best Entertainment' award.
Warrenpoint Silver won the award for 'Best March'.

All the prizes

In the Grade 5 Section, 1st Larne Old Boys, under Bill Clements took home all the prizes including the 'Best Soloist' award for principal cornet William Hollinger.
1st Old Boys Youth Band under Jacklin Bingham took the honours on the Youth Section along with the 'Best Soloist' prize for rising cornet star Louise Bell. Downshire Youth Band won the 'Most Entertaining Band' award.

Healthy future

Music Adjudicator Dave Lea reported on a great day of music making by all the competitors and commented: "I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality, fine company and, of course, the contest itself.

I was particularly impressed with the three youth bands, not only by the standard of their brilliant music making, but their stage presence too. There is a healthy future in Northern Ireland if it is nurtured and supported well."

In what turned out to be a closely fought contest Laganvale denied defending champion Downshire Brass making it four successive victories4BR