BALLYGOWAN FLUTE BAND

The band regularly competes in the Championship sections of the Northern Ireland Bands Association Championships in October (N.I.B.A.), and in the Flute Band Association (F.B.A.) Own Choice Contest in February and their Entertainment Contest in June. In addition there was the Music of the Masters Contest in Portrush (sadly discontinued after 2007) and as you may read elsewhere on this website, the band often has an annual weekend away in the form of the Scottish Flute Band Association (S.A.F.B.A.) Spring Contest. Altogether that can make for a busy year!

Ballygowan Flute Band encourages members - especially young members - to enter the Flute Band Association's Solo & Small Ensemble Contest every year. On the basis of three points for a first, two for a second and one for a third place, the overall prize, the Magill Shield, is awarded to the band with the highest points total. Since 1988 the band has won this trophy outright in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 (subsequent years' results not available yet.)

In 1992 the Flute band League (now the F.B.A.) introduced a trophy for the band of the year - it is based on top three finishes in certain N.I.B.A. & F.B.A. contests. Ballygowan won this trophy in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 (shared), 2007, 2008, 2010 (shared) and 2013.

The Band has also won the percussion prize at the World Championship in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2022
The piccolo prize at the same event was presented to the NIBA in 1994 by Sadie Strain in memory of her husband Jim, who played the instrument with distinction for Ballygowan until his health failed him. It was won that same year by Richard Douglas - who won it again in 1996 and 2004. His nephew Andrew Douglas subsequently won the prize in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
The adjudicator at the NIBA World Flute Band Championship has a special prize - The City of Dublin International Festival Trophy. It is awarded to the best performance of the whole day ; Ballygowan have won this in 1990, 1992, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2022.
Over the years, the following members have received a 50 year medal from the Flute Band League/Association:
Frank Browne*, John Carse, Robert Carse, Harry Carse, William Davidson, John Dawson**, Richard Douglas, George Douglas, Jim Douglas, John Douglas, Robert Douglas, Dougie Gourley, Jim Gourley, Roy Gourley, William McMurray, Martin McMinn, John Presho, William Strain, Robert Mannis, Tom Gourley and Geoffrey Gourley.
* including service with Lord Londonderry’s own C.L.B (Newtownards) ** including service with Castledawson

Home page