1st Old Boys lead the way in Ballygowan as they take top honours in the Spring Festival contest.

The annual N. Ireland Brass Band League Spring Festival Contest was held on Saturday 8th April 2006 at Ballygowan. The adjudicator for the Own Choice contest, drawing 19  brass bands from all over Ireland, was Malcolm Brownbill.

In the Championship Section the honours went to 1st Old Boys Silver Band playing Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby with their Principal Euphonium Player Alan Haworth lifting the soloist award and their MD Stephen Cairns lifting the conductors award.

Laganvale Silver were second playing Essence of Time by Peter Graham and Strabane Concert were third with Journey to the Centre of the Earth, again by Peter Graham. The overall standard was high with some very challenging pieces on show but 1st Old Boys were rewarded for their very musical performance and greater adherence to the quieter dynamics.

In the 2nd Section Ballyduff Silver made a welcome return to winning form lifting top prize in this section followed by Downshire Brass in Second and Third Carrickfergus back in third place.

Championship Section