CHAMPIONS AND BAND OF THE YEAR
AT BBL ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL In what has turned out to be a fantastic day, the band not
only won the BBL Annual Spring Festival contest and the prize for the
best conductor, but were also crowned Band of the Year for 2008 and presented
with the Haughton Cup. This has a special significance for the band in
it's 50th anniversary year. The contest was held in Glengormley High School
on Saturday 12th April 2008 and the adjudicator was David Horsfield. Playing "Variations on Laudate Dominum" by
Edward Gregson the band played with control, balance and majesty. The
test piece is a superb piece of music which can be enjoyed by player and
audience alike, the theme is a noble hymn tune by Sir Hubert H Parry,
associated with the words "O worship the King, all-glorious above".
There are five variations, the fifth being a fugato which introduces half
of the tune in long notes. The theme is not fully presented until the
end, when it is heard in its full majesty and the music brought to a tremendous
and climactic conclusion. Once again, thanks to all band members for their dedication
and teamwork in the lead up to the contest. The band will not, however
be sitting back and relaxing as it will be in concert with the Abbey Singers
on Saturday 19th April in the main hall of the University of Ulster at
Jordanstown where a varied and entertaining program is promised. After
that the work will start to prepare a varied and entertaining programme
of music for the summer concerts which will commence soon. Click
here to read the adjudicator's remarks Click here to listen to
the band perform Laudate Dominum The results for the day are as under: Second Section Brass 1st place: Third Carrickfergus Band -
Conductor: D Graham - Variations on Laudate Dominum The other bands which took part in this section were,
The Templemore Band and The Ballyduff Band. Championship Section 1st place - 1st Old Boys - Conductor:
S Cairns - Dances & Arias The other competing bands in this section were Strabane
Concert Brass and Murley Silver.
with 185 points, Best conductor - D Graham and awarded
Band of the Year title
2nd place: Downshire Brass - Conductor: P Hamilton -
Shine as the Light
with 183 points, Best soloist - D Corry, cornet
with 190 points, Best conductor - S Cairns and Best percussion
2nd place - Laganvale Metal Technology Band - Conductor:
E Ruddock - Epic Symphony
with 189 points and Best soloist - D Neill, cornet
