Young as well as slightly older players from the 1st Old Boys Band organisation enjoyed a great day at the recent NI Brass Band League Solo & Ensemble Contest held at Paton Memorial Halls at Malone Presbyterian Church.

Victories

In the Senior Sections Alan Haworth and Nigel Hylands were placed first and third in the Slow Melodies, with victories for the A Quartet and Senior 10 piece ensemble.

Meanwhile, in the Junior Sections, members of the Youth Band won the 12 and under ensemble playing, ‘The Great Escape’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ under the direction of Jacklin Bingham. Jacklin and the 1st Old Boys Youth Band then won the Junior Band Section.

Celebrate

There were also victories to celebrate for 10 year old Andrew Milligan who won the 10 and under Section on Eb bass and 11 year old Louise Bell, won the 12 and under Section on Bb cornet.

There was also encouraging runner-up prizes for Ryan Flavelle (soprano), Nikki Accun (baritone), Mercer MacWilliam Hughes (trombone) & Aaron MacWilliam Hughes (trombone) in their own sections.

This is also a great boost as both the Senior and Youth Bands are working towards the European Championships in Perth later this yearMark Bingham

Benefit

Press Officer Mark Bingham told 4BR: "These young players benefited greatly from being accompanied by Mike Fowles and Foden’s on their visit the week before in the young soloists concert held in the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh.

This is also a great boost as both the Senior and Youth Bands are working towards the European Championships in Perth later this year."