County Tyrone's Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown once again hosted a successful 'Brass in Concert' event which saw 21 bands provide a wonderful day of musical entertainment.

As has become a tradition, the Friday night saw five local non-contesting bands, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Roughan Youth, Ballyreagh Silver, Churchill Silver, and Maguiresbridge Silver run mini-concert programmes to an appreciative audience. Murley Silver also gave a sneak peek of their entertainment contest programme to be played the following day.

Championship Section

That saw a keen Championship Section battle, as 1st Old Boys carried on their fine run of recent success under Dr Jonathan Corry by defending their title in style.

It was the band's seventh contest win in a row since lifting the NIBA Championship in October 2024, with hopes that they can now make it eight when they represent Northern Ireland in the Challenge Section of at the European Championships in Linz in April.

The band opened with 'Amazonia' from 'Windows of the World', before principal cornet Louise Bell performed 'Hope' by Dorothy Gates. Their 'Best March' rendition of 'Great Little Army' was contrasted with 'Mid All the Traffic' and the 'ET Symphonic Fanfare', as well as the startling skills of xylophone duettists Connor Brannigan and Aisling Ardiff on 'Liszteria'. They rounded off their programme with Martin Corner's 'Semper Fidelis'.

Photo finish

In what was a three-way photo-finish for the podium prizes, it was Laganvale Metal Technology Band with their 'Prince Marko — A Musical Epic' programme that took the runner-up spot by a 'music points' neck from Strabane Brass ('Live at the Commodore Club') with Downshire just behind.

Murley Silver's euphonium player John Murdock deservedly claimed the 'Best Soloist' award for his rendition of Peter Graham's 'The Wayfarer'.

Second Section:

Earlier, the afternoon session saw victory go to CWA Brass conducted by Stephen Cairns, who opened with the slow swagger of Alan Fernie's New Orleans Street-band arrangement of 'Just a Closer Walk'.

T. J Powell's 'Castell Coch' saw them take the 'Best March' prize, with principal cornet James McCabe also taking the 'Best Soloist' accolade for his outstanding rendition of the Harry James version of 'Carnival of Venice'. Contrast came with John Ireland's 'Love Unknown' and the upbeat rhythms of 'Balkan Dance'.

Runner-up Comber Brass brought a real flavour of the old USA West with a set that started with 'The Magnificent Seven' and closed with Neil Diamond's classic 'America' as they took the entertainment award from judge Hugh Duncan.

Roughan Silver Band's 'Neverland' themed performance was highly appreciated by the audience to end just ahead of Ballyduff, whilst contest debutants Navan Silver received a warm welcome for their 'Night on Broadway' programme with their percussion team receiving a particular mention from adjudicator Andrea Price.

Third Section:

The day had earlier kicked with the Third Section bands providing excellent morning entertainment (with plenty of young players in their ranks), opening with Dungannon's clever Oscar Wilde inspired, 'The Selfish Giant'.

Excellent performances also came from St Mark's Silver (whose principal cornet Rachel Gilpin took the 'Best Soloist' prize) and Wellington Memorial Silver, before Dynamic Brass took the honours led by Andrew McQuiggan, with a set that opened with the 'The Muppets' and ended with a rousing touch of Elvis in 'American Trilogy'.

The programme also included a stunning blindfolded '2 Wacky Woodpeckers' xylophone duet featuring Jan Knowles and Lee Lawson, as well as their 'Best March' of 'Star Lake'.

Thanks

The successful day saw adjudicator Andrea Price thank the bands for their efforts in creating highly entertaining programmes, and added that she was particularly impressed by the standard of solo playing — many without music. She also urged bands to perform new music which perhaps hasn't been heard before and to include specially commissioned brass band music if they could.

The organising BBNI also took the time to thank the bands as well as Greg Williamson and his team at The Valley Hotel for all their support.

Results:
Championship Section:

Music Adjudicator: Andrea Price
Entertainment Adjudicator: Hugo Duncan
Music/Entertainment/Total

1. 1st Old Boys Band (Jonathan Corry) 10/10/20
2. Laganvale Metal Technology Band (Charles Fyffe) 9/7/16*
3. Strabane Brass Band (Brendan Coyle) 8/8/16*
4. Downshire Brass (Richard Ashmore) 7/9/16
5. Third Carrickfergus Band (Keith Anderson) 6=/6/12
6. Murley Silver Band (Kevin Teers) 6=/5/11

Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys Band
Best Soloist: John Murdock (Murley)
Best March: A Great Little Army (1st Old Boys)

* Music points take precedence

Second Section:

1. CWA Brass (Stephen Cairns) 10/9/19
2. Comber Silver Band (Paul Hamilton) 8/10/18
3. Roughan Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) 9/8/17
4. Ballyduff Silver Band (Willie Hill) 7/7/14
5. Navan Silver Band (Kevin Teers) 6/6/12

Most Entertaining Band: Comber Silver Band
Best Soloist: James McCabe (CWA)
Best March: Castell Coch (CWA)

Third Section:

1. Dynamic Brass (Andrew McQuiggan) 10/10/20
2. St Mark's Silver Band (Bob Quick) 9/8/17
3. Dungannon Silver Band (Boris Pinto) 7/9/16
4. Wellington Memorial Silver Band (Ryan Parks) 8/7/15

Most Entertaining Band: Dynamic Brass
Best Soloist: Rachel Gilpin (St Mark's)
Best March: Star Lake (Dynamic Brass)