2006 NSW State Championships - D Grade Retrospective

30-Aug-2006

This was a long session to cover....but we were kept entertained and amused.

Test: Indian Summer (Eric Ball)

Waratah Brass No 2 - winners of the D Grade Championship

This was perhaps the longest session of the competition and possibly the most demanding for the adjudicator. Kevin Jarrett had been concentrating on D Grade bands solidly for over 4 hours before having a lunch break in between the finish of the test and sacred items and the start of the own choice. To make matters more of a challenge, apart from the ultimate winner of this section, the standard from band to band was, on the whole, very close.

The adjudicator, Kevin Jarrett, again reiterated what he said at the completion of earlier sessions. In hymn tunes, "Intonation is vital. There are no shortcuts to achieving good intonation. Players need long note practice and need to listen to each other." He also stressed the importance of breathing together in order to play together. Conductors were advised to keep tempos flowing so as to help soloists to gain confidence. Also, he would rather see the dynamic raised if this would instill confidence in players.

Apart from one band, the eventual winners, the playing in the Own Choice selection was disappointing compared to the playing earlier in the day in the Test. Waratah Brass No. 2, conducted by Conrad Curry, won this section by 5 points. This band played tunefully, together, with great spirit and style and, in our opinion, are clearly in the wrong grade.

It was fantastic to see such a strongly supported section. Two of the bands were competing for the first time. What some bands lacked in player numbers they certainly didn't lack in enthusiasm. Another aspect many of us take for granted is the quality of instrument available to us. Some of the bands who played today obviously have restricted resources, both in terms of equipment and of the human kind, and have to make do with what they've got. Watching some of these bands get themselves to this contest and onto the stage was a real buzz.

Some highlights:
City of Holroyd The flugel player. His instrument was nearly as big as he was � a player with a big future we think.
Waratah Brass No. 2 What a great spectacle � kids galore � even on crutches.
Waratah Brass No. 2 Bass trombone player � a little inexperienced but he'll come good!
Waratah Brass No. 2 The first 2nd trombone � David Kimpton. David appeared on stage over the weekend 10 times � primarily as a percussionist.
Nowra Town Band 7 trombones!!
Nowra Town Band The soprano cornet's ability to play the Nokia tune from somewhere in his left top pocket. His timing was impeccable, the interlude was perfectly placed between movements in Indian Summer.
Orange PCYC The bands music � highlighter pen all over it. Well done and obviously well prepared!
Orange PCYC Why was the poor flugel banished to the back row between the cornet and Bb Bass?
Nambucca District The tiniest and possibly youngest cornet player we've ever seen!
All bands Such a huge range of ages. Great to see this grade support players from those who are so young they are still learning how to hold an instrument to those who are��more experienced.
Indian Summer 'That' tune seems to stay in your head forever!

Own choice music for each of the bands was:

City of Holroyd (Mark Strykowski)
Sacred: Holy, Holy, Holy (Nicaea) (John Bacchus Dykes Arr. James Curnow)
Own choice: Voices of Youth (Edward Gregson)

City of Holroyd

Waratah Brass No. 2 (Conrad Curry)
Sacred: Reflections in Nature (Robert Redhead)
Own choice: Pennine Moors (Darrol Barry)

Waratah Brass No 2
The experienced and the not so experienced

Liverpool City (Mr Trenton Wright)
Sacred: All in the April Evening (Hugh S Robertson arr. Eric Ball)
Own choice: Voices of Youth (Edward Gregson)

Liverpool City