Report & Results: 2019 North of Ireland Championship

Laganvale Metal Technology qualify for the European Championships in Malmo in 2021 as they lead the list of winners at the NIBA Championships in Armagh.

Laganvale Metal Technology led the title winners at the 102nd North of Ireland Championship in Armagh on the weekend.

Invitation

Under the baton of Keith Anderson they produced an excellent rendition of Edward Gregson's classic test-piece 'Connotations' to take the Championship Section honours for the first time since 2016.

In the process they also secured the invitation to represent the nation in the Challenge Section of the 2021 European Championships in Malmo.

Runner-up was 2017 winner 1st Old Boys who finished just a point behind, with Strabane Brass claiming their first podium finish at the event since 2006. Defending champion Downshire Brass had to be content with a disappointing sixth place.

Adjudicator Alan Fernie said that he was "really impressed"at the quality of the performances from the competing bands, with a special mention to the level of solo playing. The 'Best Instrumentalist' award went to rising cornet star Louise Bell of 1st Old Boys Silver.

Lourdes success

In the Second Grade Section there was victory for Lourdes Brass, their first title success since 2015. Conducted by Prof Michel Alcorn their fine rendition of the set-work, 'Purcell Variations' by Kenneth Downie saw them pip rivals CWA by a point, with defending champion Roughan Silver in third.

The newly crowned champion's MD congratulated his band on their performance with special commendation for his principal soloists Mark Newman on solo cornet and LeeAnne Kelly on solo horn. The victory also saw a number of new recruits, freshly promoted from the organisation's youth set-up make their contesting debuts.

Dynamic victories

In the Third Grade there was victory for Dynamic Brass under MD Andrew McQuiggan — their second title success in their short history. Formed in 2013, they won the Fourth Grade Section in 2016 but this time gave a stylish performance of Olive Waespi's 'The Graces of Loves' to beat off the strong challenge of rivals Dungannon Silver.

Poyntzpass Silver secured the Fourth Grade title with 1st Larne Old Boys taking the Fifth Grade honours.

Meanwhile, 1st Old Boys Junior Band will also be invited to compete at the European Youth Championships in Malmo after taking the Youth Brass Section award. with

Under the baton of Keith Anderson they produced an excellent rendition of Edward Gregson's classic test-piece 'Connotations' to take the Championship Section honours for the first time since 20164BR

Results:

Championship Grade Brass:

Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
Test Piece: Connotations (Edward Gregson)

1. Laganvale Metal Technology (Keith Anderson) — 195
2. 1st Old Boys Silver (Stephen Cairns) — 194
3. Strabane Brass (Charles Fyffe) — 193
4. Third Carrickfergus (Brian Connolly) — 191
5. Murley Silver (David Hawthorne) — 190
6. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) — 189
7. Drogheda Brass (John Carpenter) — 188

Best Instrumentalist: Louise Bell (1st Old Boys)

Second Grade Brass:

Test Piece: Purcell Variations (Kenneth Downie)

1. Lourdes Silver (Michael Alcorn) — 187
2. CWA (Gary Proctor) — 186
3. Roughan Silver (Stephen Crooks) — 185
4. Comber Silver (Wesley Thompson) — 184
5. Wellington Silver (David Hawthorne) — 182
6. Ballyduff Silver (William Hill) — 180

Third Grade Brass:

Test Piece: The Graces of Love (Oliver Waespi)

1. Dynamic Brass (Andrew McQuiggan) — 181
2. Dungannon Silver (Boris Pinto) — 180

Fourth Grade Brass:

Test Piece: First Suite in Eb (Gustav Holst)

1. Poyntzpass Silver (Robert Davidson) — 172

Fifth Grade/Unaffiliated Brass:

Test Piece: Own Choice

1. 1st Larne Old Boys (William Clements) — 168

Youth Brass Section: