*
banner

Report & Results: 2025 BBNI Spring Festival

1st Old Boys leads the title winning way in Omagh.

1st Old Boys
  1st Old Boys claimed the title and the Championship Section Band of the Year award for a fourth consecutive year

Brass Bands Northern Ireland (BBNI) recently held their Spring Festival contest, held at the fine setting of the Strule Arts Centre in the heart of Omagh.

13 band's took part, providing plenty of fine music for the supportive audience and adjudicator Dr Robert Childs to compare and enjoy. He was certainly pleased that he had made the trip, congratulating all the bands on their standard of performance, as the 2024/25 contesting year came to a close.

Championship Section:

Six well matched bands competed for the Blue Riband Rothman Trophy, with victory going to 1st Old Boys led by Dr Jonathan Corry, with an excellent performance of Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927'.

Aided by their 'Best Percussion', 'Best Basses' and 'Best Soprano, Harry Lloyd, it saw the band claim the title for the sixth time in the last eight competitive years.

It also enabled them to become 2024 BBNI Championship Section Band of the Year for a fourth consecutive year after winning all four qualifying contests. The MD also took home the Harry Brittain Cup as Winning Conductor.

Downshire Brass ended just a point behind with their rendition of 'A King's Lie' aided by the fine contribution of 'Best Soloist', Hannah Calderwood on principal cornet as well as their 'Best Trombone Section'. Third place was claimed by Laganvale (Metal Technology) playing 'Sinfonietta No. 3'.

Paid off

A delighted 1st Old Boys spokesperson later said: "Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927' was an exceptionally challenging piece, requiring hard work which paid off!

We're grateful for our fantastic team of Dr Jonathan Corry and Phil Ferguson who have expertly led the band to this win. Our soloists, Tori Lloyd, Brian Downey, Alan Hayworth and Iain Culross were outstanding and massively contributed to this performance, as were our tuba and percussion sections and sop star Harry Lloyd."

Second Section:

Four keenly matched bands battled for the Second Section honours which ended with a delighted Comber Silver taking home the Founders Cup — their first competitive victory under MD Paul Hamilton who took over the baton in 2023.

He was also presented with the Burch Trophy as 'Best Conductor' as he led them to success on Oliver Waespi's 'Friendly Takeover' as he led a performance described by Dr Childs as, "a super performance, full of drama and excitement".

It proved to be good enough to pip defending champion Roughan Silver, who played 'Oceans' by a point, with their principal cornet, Andrew Gordon deservedly presented with the Ross Aiken Memorial Trophy as 'Best Soloist'.

Former champion CWA Brass was third as they picked up the 'Best Horn Section' in playing 'Ex-Terra Lucem' by Jonathan Bates. Just behind them came Ballyduff Silver, who played 'Music for a Festival'.

A spokesperson for the winners later said: "After weeks of practice we're so pleased that Dr Childs gave us first place. The band has been driven by Paul to reach new heights, with a little drama and excitement along the way! Paul's dedication, keen ear and attention to detail had us all wanting this result and raising our game to achieve it."

Third Section:

The day started with the Third Section which was won by Lisburn based Dynamic Brass led by Andrew McQuiggan with a super rendition of Christopher Bond's 'Neverland', described by Dr Childs as "a fine musical performance, and full of detail."

The clear two-point margin of victory saw the band claim the title for the second time in three years. Former winner Wellington Memorial Silver was second playing 'Dimensions' by Peter Graham, aided by their 'Best Trombones' who picked up the Clive McBride Memorial Trophy. Defending champion St. Mark's Silver was third with their own-choice of 'Voices of Youth'.

A delighted spokesperson for Dynamic Brass said: "As always, this result would not have been possible without the dedication of MD Andrew McQuiggan. We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated, enthusiastic and talented conductor. The band have recently gone through a lot of changes and are therefore delighted with the comments from Dr Childs."

Bands of the Year

The Spring Festival event marked the end of the 2024/25 contest season, with the 'Band of Year' titles also allocated. In addition to 1st Old Boys victory, there was a tie for the Second Section title between CWA Brass and Roughan Silver Band, whilst St Mark's Silver took the Third Section honours and the overall BBNI Band of the Year title.

Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927' was an exceptionally challenging piece, requiring hard work which paid off!1st Old Boys

Results:


Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs

1. 1st Old Boys (Jonathan Corry): 96
2. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn): 95
3. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Charles Fyffe): 94
4. Strabane Brass (Brendan Coyle): 93
5. Third Carrickfergus (Brian Connolly): 91
6. Murley Silver (Kevin Teers): 90

Best Soloist: Hannah Calderwood (Downshire Brass)
Best Percussion: 1st Old Boys
Best Trombone Section: Downshire Brass
Best Basses: 1st Old Boys
Best Soprano: Harry Lloyd (1st Old Boys)
Winning Conductor: Jonathan Corry (1st Old Boys)

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs

1. Comber Silver (Paul Hamilton): 95
2. Roughan Silver (Stephen Crooks): 94
3. CWA Brass (Keith Anderson): 93
4. Bullyduff Silver (William Hill): 92

Best Soloist: Andrew Gordon (Roughan Silver)
Best Horn Section: CWA Brass
Winning Conductor: Paul Hamilton (Comber Silver)

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs

1. Dynamic Brass (Andrew McQuiggan): 94
2. Wellington Memorial Silver (Stephen Cairns): 92
3. St Mark's Silver (Bob Quick): 90

Best Trombone Section: Wellington Memorial Silver

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    


Besson Horizons

New Horizons Exchange links UK and Swiss youth again

June 6 • The Besson Horizon programme will once again see youngsters from the National Youth Bands of Great Britain and Switzerland enjoy reciprocal musical trips.


British Open

High demand for premium tickets for British Open

June 5 • Premium tickets for the British Open are starting to become increasingly limited — so don't miss out.


Chav Brass

Chav Brass set for serious fun at Whit Friday

June 5 • The scallywags of the Whit Friday circuit will be performing with serious ambition this year as they seek to inspire the next generation with a mix of DJ Sammy and Eric Ball...


Whit Friday

2025 Tameside Whit Friday details confirmed

June 4 • From start times to prize money, contact details and essential information — the details of the Tameside Whit Friday contests have been announced.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


HYDE BAND

June 5 • WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLAYER VACANCIES FOR BB BASS, BARITONE & EUPHONIUM. Join our friendly 1st Section Band in the New forest, working with our Musical Director: Ben Halstead on a varied programme of concerts and contests. Rehearsals Mon & Thurs 8-10


Simon Gresswell


Conductor, adjudicator, tutor, tuba specialist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd