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History-making NI band wins international title

Amy Murray
BBC News NI
Brass Pass A young girl is pictured from the waist up. She is wearing a white shirt and green blazer with gold threaded embellishments. She has long brunette hair and is holding a silver cornet to her mouth. She is standing in front of a brass band - a large tuba and a few other band members can be seen behind her. Brass Pass
Louise Bell, the principal cornet of the band, said the atmosphere at the contest was unforgettable

A Belfast-based brass band has struck the right chords to become the first from the island of Ireland to win an international contest title.

First Old Boys Brass Band claimed the prize at the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships in the Netherlands.

Louise Bell, its principal cornet, said the band was hungry for gold after a few near misses at the European Championships.

"We don't go competing unless we're going to try and aim for the top prize," she said.

The moment the win was announced was not clear-cut.

"A lot of the talking was in Dutch, so we didn't really know what was going on," said Ms Bell.

"We had to wait for the band's name to come up on the screen.

"It was just incredible, like nothing we'd ever experienced before and probably something I'll always remember the rest of my life."

1OB Brass Band The band is sitting and standing on the steps of a marbled hall in Stormont. There is a mixture of ages among the members - men and women between the age of 15 and 72. They are all wearing white shirts, a black bow-tie and black trousers. Most of the members are wearing a green jacket that has gold embroidered embellishments. 1OB Brass Band
The award-winning First Old Boys Brass Band is made up of musicians aged 15-72

The band travelled to the Netherlands as guest artists of the Groningen Brass Experience before taking part in the contest.

Daniel Sharpe, the band's principal tenor horn, said the Dutch Open contest had become "a heartland" for the art in continental Europe.

He said the band wanted to cut its teeth against the top tier of competition.

One of the standout moments for Ms Bell was the applause after the band finished its award-winning performance.

"There were so many people," she said.

"Back home, you'd maybe get 50 people watching, and, of course, they're your competitors that you have year in, year out.

"They were just really, really happy that we did well, and that came across and made us feel really happy to come off stage and feel like we did our country proud."

Jonathan Corry is a bald man wearing a pink polo shirt. He is sitting on a sofa. In the background is a plain white wall on the right, and on the left is a poster featuring a picture of boats on a marina. The poster says "Come to Ulster".
Jonathan Corry, the conductor of First Old Boys, hopes their win will raise the profile of Northern Irish brass bands

The band's conductor, Jonathan Corry, said the atmosphere felt "very collegiate and supportive".

"We don't often get that in the UK; it's a bit more cutthroat," he said.

"I felt that there was a real warmth in their applause and their cheers."

He said he hoped the win would do more to raise the profile of the many brass bands based in Northern Ireland.

"The little stretch of water between here and Great Britain is very, very difficult," he said.

"We almost feel cut off here musically, but we're trying to make that slightly different now and show that people from Northern Ireland can actually perform at the same level as our counterparts in the UK and in Europe."

Brass Pass A young man is pictured from the waist up. He is wearing a white shirt and green blazer with gold threaded embellishments. He is holding a silver tenor horn to his mouth. Brass Pass
Daniel Sharpe won the Best Soloist prize against a competitive field featuring European Champions

It was an extra special weekend for Mr Sharpe, who hit the high notes to score the Best Soloist win for the band.

He memorised the Piper O'Dundee by Kenneth Downie, performing it without sheet music in front of him.

He was the only musician to do so that day.

The moment his win was announced came as a pleasant surprise.

"I was waiting for the correction to come out, first of all," he said, laughing.

But Mr Sharpe was most excited for the band's win.

"We're a team, and this is a team sport. The most important thing is that feeling of togetherness in that celebration," he said.

'They're my second family'

The band is made up of musicians aged 15-72 and takes part in about four local contests a year.

"People come from different walks of life, different families, different backgrounds, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, - and they leave all that stuff at the band room door," said Mr Corry.

Ms Bell said the band was like her "second family".

"You leave all your problems and everything that you have at the door," she said.

"You go in, rehearse for two hours, and you feel so much better about yourself after, and the band are just there to support you through your problems."

1OB Brass Band A large group of people are standing on a wooden floor, with a small group sitting in front of them. Most have their hands in the air and a cheering.1OB Brass Band
The band are hoping to recreate their success at the European Championships next year

Mr Sharpe said he hopes the win encouraged more people to get involved in local music groups.

"Music organisers are crying out for people to help out and just be there," he said.

"Be the answer. Turn up. Do your bit – and you may even get a trophy at the end of it."