Hahndorf 80th Anniversary Contest

Marching, entertainment and camaraderie

The Hahndorf Town Band's 80th Anniversary Contest was a success and is surely to spawn future events in the historic Adelaide Hills town.

The day's events...signs throughout the town.

Marching Contest

Today's Hahndorf 80th Anniversary contest commenced with the street march in Main Street, Hahndorf.

What a terrific atmosphere! Imagine Autumn leaves swirling around the street, chilly winds and a spot or two of rain - just perfect for a quick march up and down Main Street, Hahndorf - not!

Actually, it was a great atmosphere. Windswept it may have been, but the rain stayed away for the outdoor activities. Despite the chilly conditions, the historic German township was alive with locals, tourists and all of the bandspeople and their families and supporters. Coffee shops were abuzz and tourist shops were conducting a bustling trade.

The Street March commenced at 10.30am with four bands.

K&N Brass kicked off with the stirring Emblem of the Army. Those mouthpieces would have been a bit on the grippy side this morning, however K&N played with enthusiasm and style. The Drum Major for K&N Brass was Phil Kilford.

K&N Brass with Drum Major Phil Kilford in charge.

Next up was Enfield Brass, with Drum Major Bob Smith. Enfield played Eagle Squadron.

Bob Smith leads Enfield Brass against the backdrop of a gloomy sky.

Salisbury City Band and their Drum Major, Adrienne Meikle, hit the bitumen next with a toe-tapping rendition of Cross of Honour (William Rimmer).

Adrienne Meikle and the Salisbury City Band.

To round out the field, hosts Hahndorf Town Band played Wairoa. According to Musical Director, Dr Kevin Cameron, this march was a particular favourite in the past with Hahndorf. Al Kidney was the Drum Major for Hahndorf. Looking resplendent in his Hanhndorf uniform of years gone by, Al was named the Best Drum Major for this contest.

Drum Majors - Phil Kilford, Al Kidney and Adrienne Meikle (where's Bob Smith?)

In a fitting finale to the Street March, the four brass bands - joined by Unley Concert Band - combined in a massed band of nearly 100 musicians playing the classic Invercargill. The locals and toursists considered this a real treat and were enthusiastic in their applause for the band which literally filled the street. I bumped into a lady, however, who was very annoyed at not being able to get her car out of the physiotherapist's carpark, stating quite sternly "I don't even like marching bands"!

Massed bands of K&N, Enfield, Salisbury, Hahndorf and Unley entertaining the locals and visitors to historic Hahndorf.

Lunch

As gracious hosts for today's event, the Hahndorf Town Band put on a BBQ lunch at the bandroom. Many stories shared between bandspeople from throughout Adelaide. It was a welcome break out of the wind with steaks, sausages, onions, salads, bread, coffee - just the lunchtime answer.

Entertainment Contest

Bands and supporters converged on the Hahndorf Institute at 1.00pm for the 80th Anniversary Entertainment contest. This event had been held in the past, but the occasion of the band's anniversary was impetus to rekindle the tradition and celebrate what our bands do best - entertain.

Master of Ceremonies for the day was Dr Kevin Cameron, Musical Director the Hahndorf Town Band and Unley Concert Band, and Director of Music at the prestigious Adelaide school, Pembroke.

In commencing proceedings, Kevin paid tribute to a very special guest - Trevor Kramm. Trevor is the only living Life Member of the Hahndorf Town Band and a long-serving Drum Major.

The contest commenced with the Unley Concert Band, under the direction of Dr Kevin Cameron. This band is the current SA State A Grade Champion Concert Band.

Unley's program including a wide variety of numbers, including Gershwin's Strike Up The Band, A Tribute to Duke Ellington and A Walk in the Black Forest (because of the German heritage and all that). A solo by Emma Stephenson (on alto sax) was a feature of the band's presentation. Unley rounded out their program with EE Bagley's National Emblem and Alexander's Ragtime Band, featuring the trumpet section. Unley was a tight ensemble, with sensitive percussion and generally very good balance. Low brass was ocassionally untuneful and the softer passages could have been a little softer, but overall the band played with style, expressiveness and the program was highly entertaining and well received by the audience.

Unley Concert Band under Musical Director Dr Kevin Cameron.

Next up was Salisbury City Band with conductor Geoff Meikle, fresh from his holiday...er, school band trip...to China. As always, Salisbury presents a program that has variety, energy and enthusiasm. There is always a bit of something for everyone in a Salisbury program, and today was no disappointment. The band was tight and the percussion, in particular, was a highlight with driving rhythm from the kit and colourful use of tuned and auxiliary percussion. Salisbury began with The Armenian Firedance (arr Goff Richards) and then featured flugelhorn soloist Rosalie Keen playing Joe Cook's Body and Soul. Tasty playing and sensitive band accompaniment, although a little heavy in spots. It was fitting that Rosalie was featured today, as she began her banding career with the Hahndorf Town Band. An energetic and entertaining rendition of Gershwin's I Got Rhythm (arr Fernie) was followed by the band's vocalist Nicole Hopkins singing Moondance (Van Morrison, arr Ed Wilson). Josh Verco featured with some tasty trombone solo work. The band really captured the style, and Nicole was again in top form. Nicole then sang River Deep, Mountain High, arranged by Phil Larkin. Despite the throw away line of being A Grade "wannabees", Salisbury grows in musical stature every year, and should be rightly proud of their level of achievement. With a healthy mix of youth and experience, Salisbury has a big future and could soon be asking the MAB that question.

City of Salisbury featuring vocal soloist Nicole Hopkins.

Bruce Raymond and K&N Brass then took the stage for their set, and presented a varied program that really highlighted the band's strengths. Principal Cornet, Kevin Joughin, had the audience spellbound with his posthorn playing of The Chase. This really flew, and the band was on the edge of their seats throughout!  Next up was Penny Lane, which included some terrific solo work from Peter Doherty on trombone and that diabolical piccolo trumpet solo played by Danny Dielkens on soprano (I thought he was going to pop a cork on the last note!). A surprise package, Lesley Deanshaw - known widely for her tenor horn playing - took to the microphone, and gave a highly entertaining vocal rendition of Better With a Band (complete with lyrics specifically tailored to the K&N band).

What can I say about the class of Bob Johnson on bass trombone? Bob is known and respected by many in the band movement. He oozes style, class and professionalism. I'll never listen to Minnie the Moocher in the same way. Peter Graham's Cossack Wedding Dance was next on K&N's program, and this was energetic and very, very quick! Paul Beames treated us to the Roy Newsome favourite Bass in the Ballroom, complete with obligatory show-off pedals and multiphonics! K&N finished their set with the Maynard Ferguson arrangment of Gonna Fly Now (transcribed by Colin Lord). A terrific conclusion to an entertaining and enjoyable program.

Bob Johnson doing Minnie the Moocher on bass trombone - all class!

Enfield Brass was conducted today by Alison Smith, a young and talented musician who has learned a great deal from her opportunties in front of the band. well-honed stick technique and good control were in evidence throughout Enfied's concert program. The band commenced with Shout. This had heaps of energy and excellent dynamic contrast. Kate Denman (flugel) then featured with I Don't Know How to Love Him, from Jesus Christ Superstar, then the band presented a rousing rendition of the concert March, Mississauga Spirit (Ty Watson). Enfield featured Matthew Magin on baritone, with the lovely arrangement of I Can't Take My Eyes Off You. To round out their concert today, Enfield had toes tapping with Swingin' Kilts - a swing version of Scotland the Brave.

Host band, Handorf, then took to the stage as the final band for the day. Under Musical Director Dr Kevin Cameron, Hahndorf presented a program that was a virtual tribute to the highlights of the band over a long period. Commencing with an abbreviated version of The True Hussar, this was a stirring opening to their set. Following up with Seventy-Six Trombones, the band then featured Emma Stephenson (who performed on alto sax earlier) as vocal soloist. The adagio from Spartacus was next and then Andrew Edgeworth (flugel) presented a de ja vous performance of I Don't Know How to Love Him. In traditional style, Hahndorf concluded their program with Can Can from Orpheus in The Underworld.

Flugel soloist, Andrew Edgeworth, with Hahndorf Town Band.

Adjudicator, Bill Broughton, in his comments said that he had fun today. Adjudication was different, in that a handicap system was used. Bill thought this was a good method. He was particularly wanting to experience some real emotion from the performances. He wanted to giggle, laugh, cry and generally feel the power of the music in the gut and soul. One band made him giggle a couple of times. Bill also said that he took into account the audience appreciation and enjoyment.

Results

The results of the contest are as follows:

Music (80), Entertainment (20), Handicap (0, 10 or 20) = Total

1st K&N Brass 79, 20, 0 = 99
2nd Unley Concert Band 70, 18, 10 = 98
3rd Hahndorf Town Band 60, 17, 20 = 97
4th Salisbury City Band 66, 16, 10 = 92
4th Enfield Brass 56, 15, 20 = 91

The Best Band award - $500 voucher from Silver Keys & Strings Music Centre - was won by K&N Brass
The Best Band in Street March award - $100 cheque from 4BR Downunder - was also won by K&N Brass
The Best Drum Major award - commemorative plate donated by R& M Williams - was won by Al Kidney of Hahndorf Town Band

Congratulations to the Hahndorf Town Band and, in particular, Dr Kevin Cameron, for the outstanding day of music, entertainment and camaraderie. So often we become engrossed in our own bands without celebrating our movement. The Hahndorf 80th Anniversary contest brought together over 100 musicians from throughout Adelaide and surrounds to enjoy our passion and our hobby.

Chris Bowman
Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills, SA)