The contesting season in Northern Ireland ended on a high on the weekend when there was plenty of great entertainment on show at Whitla Hall at Queens University in Belfast.
Music adjudicator Leigh Baker and entertainment judges, Paula McHugh and Meagan Lyons were presented with a wide variety of programme sets, with 1st Old Boys under Stephen Cairns leading the way in the Championship Section.
Great weekend
It proved to be a great weekend for the organisation, as earlier in the day 1st Old Boys Youth Band, led by Jacklin Bingham took the Youth Section title.
Their programme included the classic march 'Slaidburn', the horn solo 'An Untold Story' played by Daniel Sharpe and 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' — complete with Phileas and his helpers playing out the story of 'Around the World in 80 Days' to great effect (above).
With excellent performances also on show from section winners Warrenpoint Silver, Wellington Silver and Lourdes Brass the audience were left to enjoy a keen battle between a quartet of well-matched bands in the Championship event to round off a highly enjoyable, well organised event.
Pure imagination
1st Old Boys Band eventually came out on top thanks to a programme that opened with Stephen Pondsford's 'Let There Be Light', the trombone solo 'Pure Imagination' played by Nathan Moore, the march 'The Contestor' and the sensitive 'Guardian of my Soul'.
'Best Soloist' award winner Alan Haworth played his own humour arrangement of 'Delilah' before they closed with the Sammy Nestico arrangement of 'Malguena'.
The twin victories rounded off a remarkable year for the 1st Old Boys organisation with both the senior and youth bands having won every contest in the Northern Ireland contesting season.
It proved to be a great weekend for the organisation, as earlier in the day 1st Old Boys Youth Band, led by Jacklin Bingham took the Youth Section title4BR
Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. 1st Old Boys: 10/10 = 20
2. Laganvale Metal Technology: 9/9 = 18
3. Third Carrickfergus Silver: 8/7 = 15
4. Downshire Brass: 7/8 = 15
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys Silver
Best March: Third Carrickfergus Silver (Cross of Honour)
Best Soloist: Alan Howarth (euphonium) — 1st Old Boys
Second Section:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. Lourdes Brass: 10/10 = 20
2. CWA Brass: 9/9 = 18
3. Comber Silver: 8/8 = 16
Most Entertaining Band: Lourdes Brass
Best March: Lourdes Brass (Voice of the Guns)
Best Soloist: Mark Newman (Lourdes Brass)
Third Section:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. Wellington Silver: 10/10 = 20
2. Dungannon Silver: 9/9 = 18
Most Entertaining Band: Wellington Silver
Best March: Dungannon Silver (Europa Mars)
Best Soloist: Lauren Stewart (Wellington)
Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. Warrenpoint Silver: 10/10 = 20
Most Entertaining Band: Warrenpoint Silver
Best March: Warrenpoint Silver (Aces High)
Best Soloist: Maurice McCabe (Warrenpoint Silver)
Youth Band:
Adjudicator: Leigh Baker
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. 1st Old Boys Youth Band: 10/10 = 20
2. Downshire Youth: 9/9 = 18
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys Youth Band
Best March: 1st Old Boys Youth Band (Slaidburn)
Best Soloist: Daniel Sharpe (1st Old Boys Youth Band)
