2005 Australian National Championships

D and Junior Grade retrospectives

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

The standard for D and Junior Grades this year was quite impressive. Particularly pleasing was the fact that there were eight junior bands entered (one entering D Grade) and five of those bands traveled from interstate to attend – a huge feat indeed with young players.

The adjudicator for D Grade was Ken McDonald, who was complimentary and encouraged by the high standard of the bands. As with his comments on B Grade, he thought that the bands let themselves down with their own-choice selections by not choosing suitable works to showcase the band's abilities.

The D Grade winning band was St Mary's Band Club Band (NSW), conducted by Robert Pearce. They attained a total of 431 – 24 points ahead of the band placed at the bottom of the field. They played the Test, ‘Scenes from a Comedy' (Hopkinson) with a lovely style and musicality. The hymn tune, ‘Jesu Meine Freude' (Cruger/Ball) revealed sound tone and good intonation.  Graham's ‘Dimensions' was St Mary's own-choice work and their performance of this was indeed pleasing to listen to.

Hobart City Band (TAS), conducted by Simon Cawthorn was placed second with 422 points overall. Their performance was sound and at times they produced some nice touches and musical interpretations worthy of note: particularly pleasing was their efforts with ‘Triptych' (Sparke). They also achieved success in the Street March by attaining a third placing.

Kensington and Norwood Youth Brass (SA), conducted by Bruce Raymond, gained the third place with a total of 411 points. This is a band of young players and they produced a terrific sound. Particularly pleasing was their tone quality and ensemble work.

Echuca Federal Band (VIC), led by Doug Morison was placed next with 410 points. Their hymn, ‘Prelude on Deep Harmony' (Parker) was the highlight of their performance, with lovely sound quality and good intonation. They were successful in the Street March, gaining a second placing.

Mildura District Band (VIC), conducted by Leigh Penna, was placed at the bottom of this section with 407 points overall. Some slips, untidiness and intonation problems would have led to the lower placing. But their highlight no doubt for the competition was their first placing in the Street March.

The adjudicator for the junior grades was Bill Broughton, and as usual, he was extremely encouraging in his comments of these young bands. His favourite quote ‘dynamics make the music dynamic' was of course mentioned, but mostly he was just keen to ensure that the young players were enjoying themselves.

The Tests: Junior A Grade, ‘Dreams and Aspirations' (Tony Cliff); Junior B Grade, ‘Fantasia on 17th Century English Songs' (Kenyon); and Junior C Grade, ‘The Territorians' (Bill McAllister).

There were two bands in Junior A Grade and Gunnedah Shire Band (NSW), under the baton of Jason Katsikaris, shone through again with a first placing on 473 points. Willoughby City (NSW), conducted by Matthew Walmsley, offered some competition, and was placed second with 454 points. Jason Katsikaris in his speech was complimentary of Willoughby Band and paid his respects to the Walmsley family who for so many years have dominated and led the band scene in NSW.

Booroondara Youth Brass (VIC): Youth winners

In Junior B Grade there were again only two bands. Booroondara Youth Brass (VIC), conducted by a very young Daniel van Bergen, was the first place winner with 443 points. In second place, Whitehorse Brass (VIC), led by Alwaynne Strentz, gained 426.5 points.  Daniel van Bergen was keen to thank Whitehorse for their participation in the competition, and to comment on the terrific representation of youth by the two Victorian bands.

Junior C Grade was indeed pleasing, with three bands contending. Booroondara Youth Brass (VIC), conducted again by Daniel ban Bergen, had a terrific weekend, winning this section with 434 points. Warringah Youth Brass (NSW), conducted by John Saunders was placed second with 421 points, and the third and final competitor in this section was , conducted by Veronica Bowman; by far the youngest band at the competition.

Warriparinga Brass (SA): Youth Players

The weekend was busy and exciting for these competitors – with many junior players and conductors moving between the junior and senior sections to compete more than once with a band. The standard was without a doubt a challenge for D Grade and the junior bands. It's pleasing to see the lower grade bands striving to improve themselves, and who can deny the infectiousness of the enthusiasm of youth!