The NIBA has hosted the major contest in October or November of each year since 1907. Since its formation in 1946 the 1st Old Boys have won the Senior Brass section on eleven occasions.

1967 - Kenilworth by Arthur Bliss.
After finishing second to the Templemore Band in each of the previous three years, the band, again conducted by Mr Burch, added the NIBA prize to the Brass Band League trophy won earlier in the year.

1969 - Belmont Variations by Arthur Bliss.
Another victory for the band and Alfie Burch. Winners medals were presented to the members of the band at the Annual General Meeting held in Isobeal's Café, Wellington Street, Belfast.

1973 - Sovereign Heritage by Jack Beaver.
Adjudicator Ted Buttress awarded the band 93 points out of a 100, 4 points clear of the second-placed band. The victory followed first prizes in the BBL Championships and the Bangor and Carrick entertainment contests.

1974 - Variations on a Ninth by Gilbert Vinter.
In this successive winning performance, the adjudicator was again Ted Buttress and the margin of victory 4 points clear of the second-placed band (and 11 points clear of the third-placed band).

1990 - Freedom by Hubert Bath.
After a gap of 16 years the band regained the top NIBA prize, to add to the Irish Championship won in Dublin earlier in the year. Conductor Wilson Shields also won adjudicator William Relton's prize for best overall performance of the championships.

1994 - Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter.
The band made it a n historic double by adding the NIBA prize to the BBL first prize won earlier in the year. The band was conducted by Graeme O'Connor, and took all the prizes on offer - best band, best overall performance, and best soloist (Roy Shaw, euphonium).

1999 - The Accursed Huntsman by Cesar Franck.
The band ended the decade as it had began, with Wilson Shields conducting the winning performance. Jim Kitchen junior won the best soloist prize (on euphonium).

2002 - Salute To Youth by Gilbert Vinter

The band won the contest under John Berryman. The band cleaned up all the prizes- best band, best overall performance, and best soloist Alan Haworth on Euph.

2003 - Passacaglia on a Theme of Brahms by Arthur Butterworth

The band won for the 2nd this time under their new Conductor Stephen Cairns. The band again gaining all the major prizes with best interpretation and best instrumentalists Bb Basses Ian Shuttleworth and Bradley Milligan

2006 - Le Carnival Romain by Berlios arr. Frank Wright

The band won the NIBA again on their 60th Year with Stephen Cairns at the helm, gaining all major prizes including Best overall performance of the contest and best instrumentalist, Mark Bingham. This as been a good year for the band after winning the Brass Band League and a good performance at the All English International Masters at Cambridge playing Paganini Variations in both cases.