Last weekend saw the Brass Band League 'Brass in Concert' festival weekend take place in Fivemiletown in County Tyrone.
Following the success of last year's inaugural event, Friday evening opened with an informal concert to encourage local non-competing bands, featuring performances from Churchill Silver, Lisnaskea Silver, Ballyreagh Silver, Coalisland Silver and Murley Silver.
Impressed
The following day 15 competitors took part in the popular entertainment contest, where adjudicators Anne Crookston and Frank Sweeney were highly impressed by the standard of performances.
Anne later said: "I was particularly struck by the high quality programmes set out by each conductor. An impressive amount of imagination and thought obviously went into each one, and that, coupled with the innovative choreography really brought the contest to life."
Fourth Section:
Letterbreen Silver Band took to the stage to open the day's proceedings in the Fourth Grade, and a fine rendition of 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' saw Michael Crooks take a deserved 'Best Soloist' award.
Returning champion Maguiresbridge Silver picked up the remaining awards with the 'Best March' prize for their rendition of 'Menzberg' and the 'Most Entertaining Band' accolade.
Third Section:
Meanwhile, a closely fought battle in the Third Section saw Dungannon Silver Band narrowly pipped at the post by Comber Silver.
A clearly delighted MD Wesley Thompson accepted the award — which marked their first win at the Fivemiletown event in recent times, aided by principal cornet Kelly Kaya taking the 'Best Soloist' prize for her fine performance of 'Apex'.
St Marks' Silver took the 'Best March' prize for 'Death or Glory', with Dungannon Silver picking up the award for 'Most Entertaining Band'.
Second Section:
Despite only two bands taking part in the Second Section, both CWA Brass and Roughan Silver offered sparkling programmes.
In the end, victory went to Roughan who also claimed the 'Most Entertaining Band' prize and 'Best Soloist' award for principal cornet Andrew Gordon's lyrical performance of, 'My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose'.
Championship battle:
The day was rounded off by a keenly contested Championship Section battle, with Anne Crookston later commenting that she had enjoyed 'some thrilling performances, making the life of the adjudicator a particularly difficult one!'
Downshire Brass's multi-talented Tom Alcorn had the audience in awe as he opened their performance in control of two trombones and two cornets in the Mnozil inspired 'Lonely Boy'.
Meanwhile, 1st Old Boys' principal trombone Nathan Moore also dazzled with his classy rendition of 'Blessed Assurance' to take 'Best Soloist' prize, while the band's innovative programme including 'iBand DSV5000' with 'Sebastian the Cyber Conductor' seeing them also collect the 'Most Entertaining Band' prize and 'Best March award.
The day was rounded off by a keenly contested Championship Section battle, with Anne Crookston commenting that she had enjoyed 'some thrilling performances, making the life of the adjudicator a particularly difficult one!'4BR
Results:
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston (Music); Frank Sweeney (Entertainment)
Music /Entertainment =Total
*In the event of a tie on points, music adjudication mark takes precedence
Championship Section:
1. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn): 10/9=19*
2. 1st Old Boys Silver (Stephen Cairns): 9/10=19
3. Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band (Stephen Crooks): 8/7=15*
4. Murley Silver Band (William Hill): 7/8=15
5. Third Carrickfergus (Desmond Graham): 6/6=12
Most Entertaining Band: 1st Old Boys Silver
Best March: 1st Old Boys Silver (Quality Plus)
Best Soloist: Nathan Moore (1st Old Boys Silver)
Second Section:
1. Roughan Silver Band (Keith Anderson): 10/10=20
2. CWA Brass (Ernie Ruddock): 9/9=18
Most Entertaining Band: Roughan Silver Band
Best March: CWA Brass (Cross of Honour)
Best Soloist: Andrew Gordon (Roughan Silver Band)
Third Section:
1. Comber Silver Band (Wesley Thompson): 10/9=19*
2. Dungannon Silver Band (Boris Pinto): 9/10=19
3. St Mark's Silver Band (James Parks): 8/8=16
4. Wellington Memorial Silver Band (Brian Connolly): 7/7=14
Most Entertaining Band: Dungannon Silver Band
Best March: St Mark's Silver Band (Death or Glory)
Best Soloist: Kelly Kaya (Comber Silver Band)
Fourth Section:
1. Maguiresbridge Silver Band (Adeline Magill) 10/10=20
2. Letterbreen Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) 9/9=18
3. Warrenpoint Silver Band (Stephen Murray) 8/7=15*
4. Dynamic Brass (Harold Whan) 7/8=15
Most Entertaining Band: Maguiresbridge Silver Band
Best March: Maguiresbridge Silver Band (Menzberg)
Best Soloist: Michael Crooks (Letterbreen Silver Band)
