1st Old Boys made it a full house of BBNI titles as they claimed their latest contest accolade at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh on the weekend.

Led by Dr Jonathan Corry, their rendition of Edward Gregson's 'Of Distant Memories' to claim the Rothman Cup was described by adjudicator Andrew Duncan as "a good performance of a very difficult piece", that contained "some very fine solo playing".

That was seen as their 'Best Trombones' and 'Best Basses' backed by 'Best Soloist' award winner Andrew Milligan (Eb tuba) also took home deserved silverware, whilst the MD wasn't left out as he lifted the Harry Brittain Memorial Cup as the winning conductor.

The band had earlier donated the 'Best Basses' trophy to be awarded in the memory of the late Bradley Milligan who joined the band in 1957 and gave 63 years of unbroken service before his death in 2022.

Band of the Year

Victory meant that 1OB now hold all the contest titles in Northern Ireland as well as being recognised with the presentation of the BBNI Championship Section 'Band of the Year' and BBNI 'Band of the Year' awards.

Reflecting on the result on their Facebook page, MD Jonathan Corry said that he was "delighted" by the victory and was "pleased that the band's hard work and commitment over the past few weeks found favour with the adjudicator Andrew Duncan."

10B was made to work hard for their victory though, with well observed and executed performances from their rivals. However, Andrew Duncan felt that one band "took a risk with their choice"which ultimately paid off.

Euro warm up

Laganvale warmed up for their forthcoming appearance in the Challenge Section at the European Championships in coming a confident runner-up, whilst the emerging strength in depth at this level was shown with the well-constructed renditions of 'Trittico' and 'The Raid' by Downshire and Strabane respectively.

Strabane also took the 'Best Percussion' prize with the experienced Mark Ruddock of Laganvale (Metal Technology) retaining his grip on the 'Best Soprano of the Day' award.

Second Section:

Andrew Duncan also highlighted the importance of picking well suited own-choice works in his summing up of a keenly fought Second Section.

MD Stephen Crooks' choice of Goff Richards' 'Oceans' certainly suited Roughan Silver though as they claimed the title and Founders Cup, as well as the awards for the winning conductor, and 'Best Horns'.

CWA Brass and MD Gary Proctor rounded off a busy contesting period (one which saw them head to the UK to compete at the North West Area contest in Blackpool) by coming runner-up with their rendition of 'Ex Terra Lucem' to help them claim the overall BBNI Second Section 'Band of the Year' title.

Third place went to Ballyduff Silver with Comber Silver in fourth, as they delivered neatly directed accounts of 'The Mermaid of Zennor' and 'Sanit-Saens Variations'.

Third Section:

There was a closely fought triptych battle in the Third Section where Dynamic Brass once again lived up to their name to claim the 46th Old Boys Cup.

All three MDs drew praise from Andrew Duncan for their informed approaches to their own-choice selections, with Dynamic Brass celebrating their 10th anniversary by taking the honours and the BBNI Third Section 'Band of the Year' title thanks to an excellent performance of 'Neverland' led by MD Andrew McQuiggan.

Writing on their Facebook page they stated: "What a day!!!"as they thanked their MD as well as their principal cornet player Davie Jonson for all their hard work.

The 'Best Trombone Section' of St Mark's Silver helped them into a close second place with a vibrant rendition of 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg', with Wellington Memorial Silver in third with a well delivered 'St Andrew's Variations'.

Fabulous

Although there were no Fourth or Youth Section entrants, reflecting on another excellent day of competition on the BBNI Facebook page, the contest organisers stated: "Congratulations to all the bands who played today. You were all absolutely fabulous!

Thank you very much to our adjudicator Andrew Duncan for his hard work and productive remarks, and thanks to the percussion team providers of Andy McQuiggan and Tim Glover and Bob Quick, Gerada McCann and the entire team at the Strule Arts Centre."

Led by Dr Jonathan Corry, their rendition of Edward Gregson's 'Of Distant Memories' was described by adjudicator Andrew Duncan as "a good performance of a very difficult piece"4BR

Results:
Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. 1st Old Boys Association Silver (Jonathan Corry): 195
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Keith Anderson): 194
3. Strabane Brass (Charles Fyffe): 193
4. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn): 192

Best Soloist: Andrew Milligan (1st Old Boys Association Silver)
Best Percussion: Strabane Brass
Best Trombone Section: 1st Old Boys Association Silver
Best Bass Section: 1st Old Boys Association Silver

Best Soprano of the Day: Mark Ruddock of Laganvale (Metal Technology)

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. Roughan Silver (Stephen Crooks): 188
2. CWA Brass (Gary Proctor): 187
3. Ballyduff Silver Band (William Hill): 186
4. Comber Silver Band (Wesley Thompson): 185

Best Soloist: Jackie Moore (CWA Brass)
Best Horn Section: Roughan Silver

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Andrew Duncan

1. Dynamic Brass (Andrew McQuiggan): 183
2. St Mark's Silver (Bob Quick): 182
3. Wellington Memorial Silver David Hawthorne): 181

Best Trombone Section: St Mark's Silver