The 2010 contesting year once again started off with the annual Brass Band League NI entertainments competition which was held in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown on Saturday 20th February and sponsored by G R White & Son. Each band were able to choose its own selection of music for the performance. Again this year, a full house watched and listened to the band's performance which subsequently resulted in a joint 2nd place with 131 points.

The Music adjudicator was Stan Lippeatt B.A., L.R.S.M.
The Entertainment adjudicator was Ivor Stevenson
The Compere for the day was William Caughey (BBL President)

The music played by the band was:

Valero - J Swearingen arr. S Smith
On The Track - J Simpson arr. A Catherall - Soloist: Matthew Brown (Xylophone)
El Cumbanchero - R Hernandez arr. G Richards - Soloist: Ruth Dodridge
The Lord is Gracious - D Bartlett arr. O Ritman
The Contestor - T J Powell
Gonna Fly Now - B Conti arr. A Fernie

Well done to our soloists, Matthew Brown and Ruth Dodridge.

Congratulations also to the 1st Old Boys Band, Templemore, Wellington Silver and Ballyreagh Silver wins in their respective sections.

The band will be competing again in April.

Full results of the day were as follows:

Fourth Section
1st: Ballyreagh Silver - 124 points
2nd: Dungannon Silver - 122 points

Best March: Ballyreagh Silver - Walkabout
Best Solo: Dungannon Silver - Demelza

Third Section
1st: Wellington Silver - 126 points
=2nd: St Mark's Silver - 125 points
=2nd: CWA - 125 points

Best March: CWA - Shield of Liberty
Best Solo: Wellington Silver - Spanish Eyes

Second Section
1st: Templemore - 133 points
=2nd: Downshire Brass - 131 points
=2nd: Ballyduff Silver - 131 points
=2nd: Third Carrickfergus Band - 131 points
5th: Roughan Silver - 129 points

Best March: Downshire Brass - New Colonial
Best Solo: Templemore - Georgia on my Mind - Soloist: Linley Hamilton

Championship Section
1st: 1st Old Boys Silver - 141 points
=2nd: Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band - 138 points
=2nd: Murley Silver - 138 points
4th: Strabane Concert Brass - 134 points

Best March: 1st Old Boys Silver - Blaze Away
Best Solo: Laganvale (Metal Technology) Band - Blue John - Soloist: Clive McBride

It is with great pleasure that The Third Carrickfergus Band announce the launch of their debut CD recording entitled "On the Castle Green"

The CD features 18 tracks from various genres of music including jazz and blues, religious, swing, classical and the world's first recording of the CDs title track, the new signature march which was commissioned in celebration of it's Golden Jubilee celebrations and was composed by the extremely talented Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

The CD is priced at £10.00 plus £1.50 postage and packing and can be purchased using our secure on-line shop. Payments can be made using most major credit cards, switch cards or your PayPal account. Go to www.thirdcarrickband.co.uk/sales.php

Big congratulations to both junior and senior band on their performances on Saturday 31st October in Armagh.

Thanks also to Desy on his interpretation of Resurgam which resulted in a second place.

Our congratulations also go to Drogheda Brass on their win and thanks also to all the competing bands without whom there would be no competition.