Young Conquerors’ Scottish triumph

Participating for the first time since 1975, the band was delighted to become Scottish Open Champions 2012 by winning both the Open March and Best band categories.

Despite being somewhat depleted in numbers, the band’s performances of the march “Through Bolts and Bars”, “Cavatina” and Verdi’s overture “Sicilian Vespers” received a rapturous reception from the mostly Scottish audience.

There is no doubt that the Conquerors arrived at the contest as “underdogs”, as taking part in the competition were 15 times Scottish Flute Band champions Carluke Orchestral Flutes and current Senior Champions of Ireland Ballygowan Flute Band.

Also participating was Hamilton Flute Band (Londonderry), Glasgow Amateur, Kilwinning, and Dykehead Amateurs.

A major factor in this success has been the ongoing hard work and talented dedication of the band’s conductor Richard Douglas, whose skills were rewarded by receiving the award for best interpretation of the day.

HIGHLY ACCLAIMED

The fourth award given to the band was for best programme of music.

Special mention must be made of the band’s excellent percussion section of Albert McNinch, James Gray and James Ross, who have done so much to bring the band to its current high level of achievement.

Things are certainly looking up for the “Conquerors”, as this excellent result follows a lean period in the band’s history just a few years ago, when the talk was of the band folding.

Since the appointment of Richard Douglas in 2007 the band has won 3 NIBA Grade 2 Flute championships, 3 Flute Band Association Grade 2 titles and has been promoted to NIBA Senior Grade contesting.

The recent highly acclaimed fourth annual concert in the Braid arts Centre has cemented the band firmly in the midst of the Borough’s cultural life.

Looking forward, the band is currently preparing for the recording of a CD next month, which will contain most of the material performed in the recent concert and the Scottish Contest, plus additional items.

Maintaining a band such as the Young Conquerors requires constant hard work, with the major emphasis always being on recruitment.

To this end any budding flute or percussion player will be made welcome at the band’s rehearsal each Thursday night at the Band Hall in Fountain Place, Ballymena (8pm). All levels from beginner to experienced will be welcomed.

Anyone with access to a computer can watch some of the band’s performances on Youtube.

Simply go to the website and type “Ballymena Young Conquerors” into the search box.