Ramsey Town band had another highly successful year in the Manx Music Festivsal in April 2008. The weekend began with a damp and foggy Saturday that saw two first places for Ramsey musicians in all but two classes

Ellen playing tenor horm won the under 12 solo brass class playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Florence and Charlotte were also placed very highly playing Tudexo Junction and Sicilienne respectively on cornet and trombone. Lucy and Leila also scored excellently on trombone and tenor horm respectively.

In the 12 and under 16 brass solo class Illiam aged 13 played first with 93 marks playing Kim on cornet even though he was docked a mark for running voer time. His sister Meghan playing Silver Threads Among The Gold was second drawing on points. Daisy on tenor horm was fouth behind a fantastic and flawless performance by Bobby from Rushen Band on his tenor horn. A well warmed up Alfie on cornet and Theo on tuba were also placed in the top seven of a class of 30.

In the under 15 ensemble class the Neptune Street Nippers were placed first ahead of two creditable Onchan ensembles and in the Under 16 quartets Ramsey Town Band were first with a sizzling performance of Bugler Holiday followed closely by the Tiddy Tooters playing A Grand Day Out (chosen by Judith Key of Manx Radio as her theme tune for the week) and the cautically turned out Ramsey Brass Bangers playing Yellow Submarine

The day was rounded with a second place in the Open Brass Solo class for Robert Quane on soprano playing Drak Rimmer's Starlight

On Sunday the open ensembles class saw an excellent performance by the Ramsey Grammar School Brass Group playing Strike up the Band in the Royal Hall of the Villa Marina. In the Brass Band Classes, Ramsey were second the in the test piece class scoring an amazing 90 marks for their rendition of Leyton Lucas' Symphonic Suite for Brass. A fantastic achievement in the space of a few weeks rehersals. Ramsey were placed fourth in the 30 minute programme class even though their special performance has been to the highest standards and raising more laughs than any other band! A special mention should be given to soloist Meghan Quane playing Buster Strikes Back in a hats off dedication to the teaching personnel surrounding the band.

Over all the weekend's results were a credit to all at Ramsey Town Band and thanks go especially to the hard work amongst the juniors of Ray Gillis, John Garfield and Jenny Cook.