South Australian State Band Championships

Preview

Eight brass bands will compete this weekend in the South Australian Band Championships, to be held at Chataeu Tanunda in the beautiful Barossa Valley.

Greg Aitken from Queensland will no doubt enjoy a pleasant weekend of adjudication, starting with the Street March at 10am on Saturday 22nd, in the main street of Tanunda. The bands will then head to the lovely setting of the Chateau Tanunda Winery and perform throughout the day, to conclude in the evening.

Brass Bands Competing (not draw order)

A Grade - "Montage" (Peter Graham)

Kensington and Norwood Brass, conducted by Bruce Raymond, loves the challenges associated with music chosen for State and National Championships. This year is no exception with "Montage", a wonderful work which stretches all players. Peter Graham, the composer, has used all of his skills to explore the sounds and colours available to a brass band. All players have enjoyed the opportunity to work on this score, putting in the extra time required to achieve an excellent performance.

After some initial player uncertainty, Tanunda Town Band, conducted by Robert Hower, is now consolidating into a cohesive group and the Test, Hymn and March are now coming together very well. As Always, Alicia Ludi-Schutz is playing with style and flair, and the addition of Trevor Bremner to the cornet ranks has lifted the section. The Horns are playing particularly well, as are the tubas. As always, Tanunda will give a strong performance with some stand-out moments.

B Grade - "Oceans" (Goff Richards)

Salisbury City Band, conducted by Geoffrey Meikle is playing particularly well and has been rehearsing twice a week. The players are enjoying the Test by Goff Richards, and the euphoniums and solo cornets have some great work throughout. The band invited Bob Hower to a rehearsal for a 'dummy' adjudication, which proved to be useful. Geoff has also been recording rehearsals which has been a valuable learning tool for all. Salisbury will perform with no permits. There are two youngters contesting for first time: 15-year-old Tim Goldsmith on Eb bass and Joel Montgomery on percussion.

The Enfield Brass team, under the leadership of Geoff Magin, is once again looking forward to contesting B Grade at the State Championships in Tanunda this year. "Oceans" is great Test, challenging all players, is good to play and not bad to listen to. The hymn is yet another home grown arrangement re-arranged by a band member.  Enfield are looking to having fun on the weekend and bringing home plenty of trophies.

C Grade - "Dimensions" (Peter Graham)

Kensington and Norwood Youth, conducted by Bruce Raymond, will contest in C Grade this year to give them some really tough competition. The players are young, enthusiastic and all have worked very hard to achieve the standard required at this level. The Test has given the young musicians an opportunity to hear and play really good brass music. They have been stretched and challenged during rehearsals and will rise to the challenge.

Hahndorf Town Band, conducted by Kevin Cameron, has had a few player changes due to overseas trips, but are regardless very stable at the moment. The band has had full attendence in rehearsals and is playing very well. With a lot of contest experience this year, the band hopes to do well.

Marion City Band, conducted by Veronica Bowman, is an enthusiastic bunch with quite a few adult learners. The band is motivated and are so keen that they have been organising thier own extra sectionals. The group is still a little unstable; under the new leadership of Veronica for last 12 months there have been many changes to personel, but the band is definately working better as a group since Nationals. This happy big bunch will enjoy themselves regardless!

Mitcham City Band will also be competing, but 4BRDU has been unsuccessful in contacting this band for a comment.

There are no D Grade bands competing this year.

Junior Grade - Own Choice

Warriparinga Brass, the training band for Marion City Band, will compete for their second time. Their debut was at the Nationals earlier this year. This band is a little over 12 months old. Conducted by Veronica Bowman, the band is made up of many beginners and is a very young band - one little girl has only been learning for three months. The members are really enjoying their music and being part of the band, and are certainly looking forward to having some fun, particularly joining in with the Street March.