The Brass Band League of Northern Ireland (BBL) returned to the Alley Theatre in Strabane to present its annual Spring Festival. The own choice test-piece competition is a popular event which benefits from the support of the North West Music Festival.

Champions

In the Championship Section, a confident 1st Old Boys under Stephen Cairns claimed a commanding victory and the Rothman Trophy with an outstanding performance of 'Sinfonietta No. 3' by Etienne Crausaz — finishing two points ahead of rivals Laganvale (Metal Technology) with Downshire Brass in third.

It marked a hat-trick of wins at the contest for 1st Old Boys, with the 20th BBLNI Spring Festival victory in their history coming with individual awards for 'Best Soloist' Alan Haworth on euphonium and 'Best Conductor' for MD Stephen Cairns, whilst their trombones also took their 'Section' award.

It also gave the band the accolade as 'Championship Section Band of the Year' and the overall Northern Ireland 'Band of the Year'.

Roughan win

In the Second Section Roughan Silver, led by Stephen Crooks secured a clean sweep by taking the honours with a fine rendition of Philips Sparke's 'Triptych'.

It saw cornet player Andrew Gordon take the 'Best Soloist' award and their horns taking their section prize. Comber Silver was second playing 'Parnassus' by Jan van de Roost.

In the School Band and Youth Sections the top honours went to Enniskillen Royal Grammar and 1st Old Boys Youth Band, who claimed the Youth title under Jacklin Bingham with a great performance of Peter Graham's 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg'.

The band clearly impressed adjudicator Ian Brownbill as he gave not one, but two notable mentions in his closing thoughts at the end of the contest day.

The contest marked the last performance of their talented bass trombonist Josh Cargill before he heads off to Manchester to study at the RNCM later this year.

Emotional tribute

There was an emotional tribute at the prize-giving ceremony when two well- known local band members were remembered.

Peter Arthurs (Third Carrickfergus) and Jonathon Carroll (CWA Brass) both tragically died in 2017. Two new memorial prizes were presented by the families of the young men — the Peter Arthurs Memorial Trophy to the 'Best Soprano Cornet of the Day' and the Jonathon Carroll Memorial Cup to the 'Best Horn Section in the Second Section'.

There was prolonged applause in recognition of the contribution both had made to the Northern Ireland band community.

Fantastic day

An event spokesperson told 4BR: "The Brass Band League NI would like to congratulate all the prize-winners and all competing bands for a fantastic day of music making.

Adjudicator Ian Brownbill spoke highly of the choice of music and the standard of playing and was particularly impressed by the school and youth band sections."

The Brass Band League NI would like to congratulate all the prize-winners and all competing bands for a fantastic day of music makingevent spokesperson

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Ian Brownbill

1. 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band (Stephen Cairns) — 93
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band (Stephen Crooks) — 91
3. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) — 89
4. Strabane Brass Band (Peter Christian) — 88
5. Murley Silver Band (William Hill) — 86

Best Percussion: Laganvale
Best Trombone Section: 1st Old Boys
Best Soloist: Alan Haworth (euphonium) — 1st Old Boys
Best Soprano: (All Sections): Mark Ruddock (Laganvale)

Second Section:

1. Roughan Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) — 84
2. Comber Silver Band (Wesley Thompson) — 81
3. CWA Brass (Ernie Ruddock) — 79
4. Wellington Memorial Silver Band (Gary Proctor) — 78

Best Horn Section: Roughan
Best Soloist: Andrew Gordon, Cornet (Roughan)

Youth Band Section:

1. 1st Old Boys Youth (Jacklin Bingham) — 93

School Bands Section:

1. Enniskillen Royal Grammar (Stephen Magee) — 91
2. Omagh Academy (Stephen Crooks) — 88

Best Trombone Section: Omagh Academy

Band of the Year Awards:

Championship: 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band
Second Section: Ballyduff Silver
Third Section: Wellington Memorial Silver
Fourth & Fifth Section: Warrenpoint Silver

Overall NI Band of the Year: 1st Old Boys Association Silver Band