The Spring Festival is an own choice test piece contest (voted on every year at the BBL Annual General Meeting). There are seven different sections bands can compete in:
Championship Section
2nd Section
3rd Section
4th Section
5th / Unaffiliated Section
Youth Band Section
School Band Section
The contest has taken place in many different locations throughout Northern Ireland but is next due to be held in the Strule Arts Theatre, Omagh on 24th April 2021.
For past results, please visit our results page.
History of the Spring Festival
Information to follow soon!
Perpetual Trophies
There are numerous perpetual trophies given out as awards in each section. Please see below for further information about each of them.
Rothman Trophy
Awarded to the winners of the Championship Section.
Further information to follow soon.
Harry Gault Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Soloist in the Championship Section
Further information to follow soon.
Percussion Shield
Awarded to the Best Percussion Section in the Championship Section
Further information to follow soon.
Denis Gillesipie Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Trombone Section in the Championship Section
Further information to follow soon.
Harry Brittain Memorial Cup
Awarded to the conductor of the winning Championship Section Band
Further information to follow soon.
Founders Cup
Awarded to the winners of the 2nd Section
Further information to follow soon.
Ross Aiken Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Soloist in the 2nd Section
Further information to follow soon.
Jonathan Carroll Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Horn Section in the 2nd Section
This trophy was donated by CWA Brass and was first presented by Jonny’s mum, Anne, in the Alley Theatre, Strabane, on Saturday 21st April 2018. Jonny was an extremely talented horn player who played with bands up and down the country but finally settled with CWA Brass. He attended Salford University for a time and was thrilled to be taught by the great tenor horn player, Sheona White. He sadly passed away suddenly in August 2017 at the age of 33. This award was chosen to be given to the Best Horn Section as although Jonny was an excellent soloist he always loved playing as a team and was always the first to volunteer for any sectional rehearsals!
Burch Trophy
Awarded to the conductor of the winning 2nd Section Band
Further information to follow soon.
46th Old Boys Cup
Awarded to the winners of the 3rd Section
Further information to follow soon.
Clive McBride Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Trombone Section in the 3rd Section
Further information to follow soon.
Take Five Trophy
Awarded to the winners of the 4th Section
Further information to follow soon.
Tom Mercer Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the winners of the Youth Band Section
Further information to follow soon.
School Shield
Awarded to the winners of the School Band Section
Further information to follow soon
Stuart Haigh Memorial Cup
Awarded to the Best Trombone Section in the School Band Section
Further information to follow soon.
Peter Arthurs Memorial Trophy
Awarded to the Best Soprano Player On The Day
This trophy was donated by Peter’s family and was first presented by his sister, Cathryn, in the Alley Theatre, Strabane on Saturday 21st April 2018. Peter was a fantastic soprano player who spent the majority of his playing career in Third Carrickfergus Silver Band. Not only was he their resident sop player, he also conducted their junior band and taught many young how to play their first note. Peter sadly passed away in June 2017 at the age of 36. This award is for the Best Soprano Player On The Day as Peter believed it didn’t matter what section you played in – you could still be the best sop On The Day.