*
banner

Repot & Result: 2020 IABCB On-line Solo Contest

Over 130 players entered the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Band's on-line solo competition recently — with some fantastic brass and percussion playing on show.

logo
  The on-line competition attracted 134 entrants

Following the recent cancellation of the Irish National Band Championships, the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Band organisers decided to run an online solo competition, which has proved to be a great success.

Open contest

The competition was open to all brass, woodwind (who had their own section of results) and percussion players across Ireland, who were required to submit a video of an unaccompanied solo up to 4 minutes in duration.

The entries were divided into age categories of 10 & Under; 11-15; 16-20 and 21 & Over.

134 performers took the opportunity to showcase their playing to give the adjudication panel of Kevin Teers, Stephen Murray, Linda Patton and John Harford a difficult task of picking out the winners.

All of the entries were posted onto our Facebook page of the IABCB

10 & Under (Brass):


1. Rebekah Sharpe (horn) — 1st Old Boys Youth Band
2. Christy Brennan (cornet) — Ballyclare High School Junior Band
3. Archie Dempsey (trumpet), Royal Irish Academy of Music Junior Band

Highly commended: Hugh Davis, Max O'Sullivan, Oliver Green

11-15 years (Brass):


1. Adam Mernin (flugel) — City of Waterford Brass
2. Juliette Harford (trumpet) — Co. Dublin
3. Shane Clinton (trumpet) — Ardee Concert Band

Highly commended: Ronan Tallon, Patrick Dowling, Catherine Finlay, Ciara McKeown, Philip Kelly

Percussion:


1. Duncan Newell (Ballyclare High School Band)
2. Fionn McGrane (Clondalkin Youth Band)
3. Jennifer Rafferty (Knocklyon Concert Band Society)

16-20 years (Brass):


1. Daniel Sharpe (horn) — 1st Old Boys Silver Band
2. Oscar Leamy O'Donovan (euphonium) — Clonakilty Brass Band
3. Andrew Milligan (Eb tuba) — 1st Old Boys Silver Band

Percussion:


1. Niall Black (Eaner Concert Band)
2. Catherine Lynch (Co. Down)
3. Emma Montgomery (Ballyclare High School Wind Band)

21 & Over (Brass):


1. Emma-Lee Meegan (trumpet) — Ardee Concert Band
2. Francis Duffy (cornet) — Navan Silver Band
3. Nigel Hylands (cornet) — 1st Old Boys Silver Band

Best Overall Brass: Daniel Sharpe (Horn) — 1st Old Boys Silver Band

Enjoy the performance

You can enjoy Daniel's performance at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FbJD4KlOv4eNWFslY0pPcJyDbhwanbVR

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    


Making Music

New CEO at Making Music

September 3 • Making Music appoints Ben Saffell as its new Chief Executive Officer.


Sparke

British Open Countdown: T minus 9

September 3 • The countdown is underway for this year's British Open with 'Music of the Spheres' ready for lift off. But which European own-choice topping piece comes close to it in contest popularity since it was used in 2004?


Friary

New signing at Friary

September 3 • Cornish cornet player Jacob Griffiths returns to the banding fold with Friary.


BrookWright

2026 BrookWright Solo winners announced

September 3 • Mark Vause and Elijah Baker claim the main category awards with 11-year-old cornetist Bradley Mahungu capturing the Public Commendation Prize.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Yorkshire Imperial

September 3 • Yorkshire Imperial band have SECOND HORN and BBb BASS vacancies available. . At Imps we have a proud tradition, clear ambitions and a sensible, well-planned schedule. We're looking for musicians who want to make outstanding music & will enjoy the journey.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

September 1 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd