Seventeen Performances in Fivemiletown

Brass Bands Northern Ireland returned to the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown last weekend to present their ever-popular Brass in Concert weekend.

Friday night saw 4 bands take to the stage for an informal concert with Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Brass Band and Churchill Silver Band both under the baton of Stephen Magee, Ballyreagh Silver Band conducted by Noel Trimble and Murley Silver with Stephen Crooks. Bands performed varied programmes to an appreciative audience, a great start to the weekend.

Contest Day

Saturday brought 13 bands to County Tyrone to compete across 3 sections in an entertainment contest. Music adjudicator on the day was renowned musician, composer, arranger and educator Alan Fernie with BBC NI’s Southwest correspondent Julian Fowler in the entertainment hotseat.

Stephen Cairns – Wellington Memorial Silver Band

Footlifting

The day began with the 3^rd Section and Poyntzpass Silver Band. Dungannon Silver’s Amy Wilson secured the Best Soloist Prize for a classy rendition of Louis Armstrong number “What a Wonderful World” with the band also lifting the Best March prize for Henry Fillmore’s “The Footlifter”. However, it was Wellington Memorial Silver Band under the baton of Stephen Cairns who took First Prize and also the title of Most Entertaining Band.

Stephen Crooks – Roughan Silver Band

Circle of Life

The 2^nd Section began with Roughan Silver Band under Stephen Crooks. Their Circle of Life themed programme clearly impressed both adjudicators with the band taking 1^st Place and Most Entertaining Band title. Bert Shaw’s stylish performance of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” saw him claim Best Soloist for CWA Brass with Ballyduff’s solid rendition of “The New Colonial” taking the prize for Best March.

Michael Alcorn – Downshire Brass

Flares!

A tightly fought Championship Section brought the day to a close in front of a capacity audience. Final band of the day Downshire Brass gained the appreciation of adjudicators and audience alike with their Sounds of the 70s themed programme. This saw the entire band take to the stage in retro outfits much to the amusement of all. Their energetic performance saw them take First Prize and secure the award for Most Entertaining Band. A tough decision for Alan Fernie eventually saw Murley’s Soprano star James Cooke claim the title of Best Soloist for his highly polished performance of Christpoher Bond’s “Over the Horizon” while Third Carrickfergus Band took home the Best March prize for William German’s “The President”.

All in all, a fantastic day of music making with entertainment adjudicator Julian Fowler particularly impressed by the creativity of many of the performances presented.

Brass Bands Northern Ireland would like to thank the team at the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown for all of their assistance over the weekend. Huge thanks also to all of the volunteers without whom the event could not have happened.

Performances can be viewed on Brass Band Northern Ireland’s facebook page.

FULL RESULTS

BBNI Brass in Concert 2024

Saturday 2^nd March 2024
Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown
Music Adjudicator: Alan Fernie
Entertainment Adjudicator: Julian Fowler

Points = Music/Entertainment/Total (music points take precedence in the event of a total points tie)

Championship Section (The Vice-President’s Trophy)

1. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) 10/10/20
2. 1^st Old Boys Silver Band (Jonathan Corry) 8/9/17
3. Laganvale Metal Technology Band (Keith Anderson) 9/6/15
   Third Carrickfergus Band (Brian Connolly) 7/7/14
   Murley Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) 6/8/14

Most Entertaining Band: Downshire Brass
Best Soloist: James Cooke (Murley Silver)
Best March: Third Carrickfergus – The President

Second Section (The G.R. White and Son Ltd. Trophy)

1. Roughan Silver Band (Stephen Crooks) 10/10/20
2. CWA Brass (Gary Proctor) 9/8/17
   Comber Silver Band (Paul Hamilton) 8/7/15
   Ballyduff Silver Band (William Hill) 6*/9/15
   *1 point deducted for running over time limit

Most Entertaining Band: Roughan Silver Band
Best Soloist: Bert Shaw (CWA Brass)
Best March: Ballyduff Silver – The New Colonial

Third Section (The President’s Trophy)

1. Wellington Memorial Silver Band (Stephen Cairns) 10/10/20
2. Dungannon Silver Band (Keith Anderson) 9/9/18
   Poyntzpass Silver Band (Stanley Lutton) 8/7/15
   St Mark’s Silver Band (Bob Quick) 7/8/15

Most Entertaining Band: Wellington Memorial Silver Band
Best Soloist: Amy Wilson (Dungannon Silver)
Best March: Dungannon Silver – The Footlifter