2005 Australian National Championships - A Grade retrospective

4BR Downunder takes a look back at the 2005 A Grade Australian National Band Championships held at the Adelaide University in South Australia at the end of last month.

Contest vebue: Adelaide University -  Elder Hall

The Nationals have once again come and gone, and typically in their wake are elated champions and disappointed hopefuls. But, year after year we front up for the onslaught – and really, who would want to miss it?

And as usual, there is both praise and criticism of the organizers, but some pleasant variety for this year seems to be the lack of any criticism for the adjudication!

Thanks to the many brass band enthusiasts who gave comments and feedback to assist in compiling this account of the A Grade.

Brisbane Excelsior (QLD) were the absolute stars for the Australian Nationals this year. With near perfect scores in every event they blitzed the field with a total of 495 points: eight points ahead of the next placing and 53 points above the lowest band. Howard Taylor directed the band to produce performances that many audience members described as ‘spine-tingling', and the best live performance of any Australian band ever!

Whilst the adjudicators, Kevin Jarrett and Barrie Gott, certainly gave comments in regard to the whole section, their remarks were focused on XLCR and they both independently thanked the band for providing performances that they rated as some of the finest musical experiences they had heard. Kevin Jarrett considered the band's performance of the Test ‘Tristan Encounters' by Martin Ellerby to be "…better than the top three performances from the 2004 NZ Championships and equal to any band in the world."

Philip Wilby's ‘Paganini Variations', the band's own choice selection, had the audience on their feet clapping and cheering by its completion. The horn, soprano and euphonium playing was just beautiful in the slow movement, but the flugel player, Amanda Casagrande, was a sheer delight to listen to, and a real highlight.

The band's performance of the hymn tune ‘His Provision' by Courtney Bosanko was of course played with great sensitivity, and the march, ‘The Champions' by the great Black Dyke conductor George Willcocks was equally as stunning as the rest of XLCR's performances.

Indeed it was a successful competition for XLCR; not only did they shine on the stage, but they were the winning A Grade band for the street march. In the solo sections Dale Hoskings won the Open Soprano, Bernard Denlay the Open Bass Trombone, Rick Casagrande the Open B Flat Bass, Imelda Moore the Junior Tenor Horn, and Ashley Gittens the Open Euphonium and the Champion of Champions! Dale Hoskings was also awarded the Best Player for the competition as a whole.

Waratah Brass (NSW), conducted by Ron Prussing, was placed second overall, with a total of 487 points. The Test was handled well by the band and the soloists certainly held their own with the cadenzas. The overall production of sound and ensemble playing was certainly enjoyable for listeners and this was particularly evident in their hymn tune, ‘I Walked Today' (O'Hara/Richards).

Sparke's ‘Music of the Spheres' definitely held the audience's intrigue as their own choice work. This relatively new piece, written for the then Yorkshire Building Society (UK) was played extremely well and was quite effectual. Waratah's effort in the competition made an obvious impression and they are sure to continue to do so in the future.

Kensington and Norwood Brass (SA) was placed third in this year's Nationals with a total of 484 points, and comments have indeed been complimentary of this band. Conducted by Bruce Raymond, and joined by the euphonium player, Steven Miles (UK) K & N were quite outstanding in the Test with brilliant soloists in the cadenzas.  Their hymn tune, ‘I know Thou Art Mine' (Ballantine) was played with musicality and an impressive sound quality.

‘On Alderly Edge' (Graham), was K & N's own choice selection, winning them many admirers with their stunning attention to dynamics and the outstanding soloists, Kevin Joughin (cornet) and Steven Miles.  Their success for the weekend also extended to a third placing in the Street March.

St Mary's Band Club Brass (NSW), conducted by Ken Bradley, gained a total of 474 points, positioning them fourth in A Grade. Their performance in the Test was sound and at times they produced some nice touches indeed. Whilst their hymn tune, ‘His Provision', (Bosanko) portrayed excellent quality of sound, their own choice work, ‘Variations on an Enigma' (Sparke) was considered by some to be a little too fast and loud. St Mary's certainly secured their position in A Grade at this competition, and of course bolstered this with their second placing in the Street March.

Hawthorn Band (VIC), under their new conductor Howard Ward gained a total of 469 points, positioning them fifth overall. Their performance in the Test, and own choice, ‘Paginini Variations' (Wilby) was solid and certainly an enjoyable performance, but perhaps lacked the quality typical of this band. Hawthorn certainly produced a good A-Grade performance, and their new conductor's achievement is to be commended.

Willoughby City (NSW) completed their last National Championship under the baton of Peter Walmsley – a legendary effort and a man admired by all! They attained 468 points overall and were placed middle of the field at number six. They still hold their own as a solid A Grade band, a commendable feat given the many young players. Thus ends an era that has helped to shape banding in Australia and produced many fine players. 

Footscray-Yaraville (VIC) was conducted by Phillipa Edwards with her arm in a sling – an impressive effort! The band was placed seventh in the field, and received 465 points overall. Some occasional slips, general untidiness and intonation problems most likely led to the lower placing. Footscray-Yaraville is working hard in A Grade and is to be commended for their perseverance and determination.

Glenorchy City Concert Brass (TAS), conducted by Dean Hunt, was placed eighth with a total of 463 points. The quality of sound was a problem, and general untidiness and untunefulness resulted in a lower position for this band. Some general feedback suggested that the band's performance was reflective of a conductor who didn't get his head out of the score!

Darebin City Brass (VIC) was placed ninth in the field, with a total of 462 points overall - conducted by Jason Meers. The Test seemed to be technically beyond them although the soloists coped well with the cadenzas. Quality of sound, dynamics and musicality was often lacking, and intonation was often a problem. In general, Darebin was just not up to the standard of the top bands.

Tanunda Town Band (SA), under the leadership of Bob Hower was placed tenth in the field with a total of 459 points. There was obvious ensemble and balance problems for this band, and at times untunefulness detracted from the performance. The soloists coped well with the cadenzas, but certainly the slips, occasional untidiness and lack of detail in some areas led to the lower placing.

Kew Band (VIC), directed by Mark Ford was a surprise for this competition. Usually a firm favourite and hot contender, this year Kew was placed eleventh with 457 points overall – 38 points below the winner. Whilst it's obvious that the band is technically very good and has competent players, the general opinion is that the band's volume was excessive – everything was too loud.

City of Holroyd Brass (NSW) found themselves at the lower end of the field in twelfth position on 444 points. Conducted by Mark Strykowski, they were hampered by numerous slips, general untidiness and intonation problems. Things just didn't come together for Holroyd this year.

Moreland Brass (VIC), conducted by Wally Pope, was placed at the end of the field with 442 points. This band seemed to be struggling in A Grade this year, with numerous slips, intonation problems, minimal dynamic contrast, and general untidiness overall.

The A Grade competition for 2005 clearly identified our top Australian bands and the test, ‘Tristan Encounters' was an excellent choice of work for classification and division amongst the entered bands. It's apparent that Australian bands are at last able to be aligned with international standards.

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