2006 Victorian State Championships - B Grade Preview and Predictions

When: Sunday 15 October 7.30pm
Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts
Adjudicator: Major Eric Anderson
Test Piece: Princethorpe Variations by Kenneth Downie

Should be a very entertaining section this, with plenty of personalities on stage to watch out for.

Last band takes to the stage at 8.50pm to conclude a very long contesting day.  Here's hoping the adjudicator is feeling alert!

The Bands:

Boroondara Brass
Conductor: Daniel van Bergen
  
Soprano: Geoffrey Payne
Principal Cornet: Jamie Barling
Flugel: Jennifer Magoulas
Solo Horn: Caitlyn Dinsdale
Principal Eupho: Lachlan Wright
Solo Bari: Stuart McKee
Principal Trom: Brendan McKee
Bass Trom: David Wolfe
Principal Eb Bass: Jenica Smeal
Principal Bb Bass: Rhys McKee
Principal Percussionist: Angus Wilson
 
Boroondara reported to 4BRDU:
Boroondara has been very short on preparation time for this contest after attending the La Trobe Valley Eisteddfod 4 weeks ago and contesting Open A and Open B grade. The band is rising to the challenge of learning 3 new pieces in this time admirably. 
 
Princethorpe Variations differs in style from the majority of the pieces the band has performed over the last 12 months and the challenge of something different is being well recieved. In particular the 5/4 section has proven a great learning curve for a lot of members especially as pulse changes regularly and with no obvious pattern. This predominantly young band has adapted well to something which alot of them have not experienced before.
 
As for the last contest the band has a number of personnel who are unable to attend due to other commitments and a reshuffle of chairs has taken place. Principal Euphonium David Watson is filling in on BBb Bass while 2 of the Tuba section are away as well as having a Solo Cornet Player on Percussion and Solo Horn player on Baritone. It will be interesting to hear the changes this new line up brings to the band.

Box Hill City Band
Conductor: David Farrell

Soprano:    Chris Eury
Principal Cornet: Andrew Batterham
Flugel: Ian Richardson
Solo Horn: Simon Green
Principal Eupho: Doug Lewis
Solo Bari: Chris Mitchell
Principal Trom: Stephen Szetey
Bass Trom: Mat Amy
Principal Eb Bass: Laszlo Szetey (Permit from Footscray Yarraville)
Principal Bb Bass: Colin Harrison (Permit from Footscray Yarraville)
Principal Percussionist: Matthew Parker

The band reported to 4BRDU:
The band's preparation in the lead up to this contest has been steady, and players are enjoying the test piece.

The band has not competed since Ballarat 2004 but are now approaching full strength again and intend to compete at the Nationals in 2007.  This is great news.

Diamond Valley Brass
Conductor: Dean Hughes

Conductor: Dean Hughes
Soprano: John Grey
Principal Cornet: Greg Davis
Flugel: Matthew Calf
Solo Horn: Alexandra Cameron
Principal Eupho: Kate Wiltshire
Solo Bari: Emily Reed
Principal Trom: Trevor Marsh
Bass Trom: Gordon Ferguson
Principal Eb Bass: Leigh Rich
Principal Bb Bass: Bob Hankinson
Principal Percussionist: Matt Reynolds

 
Diamond Valley reported to 4BRDU:
The preparation has been a little rushed due to a number of reasons.  However, in the lead up to the competition the band appointed an outstanding new musical director, Dean Hughes, and have welcomed the return of a number of excellent past players to the band, along with a couple of very good new players  The band has been having full band rehearsals on most Thursday nights and sectionals on some Sunday nights. The band has been working hard at developing a team approach to our playing, learning to balance within the section and as a band.

The test piece has provided a number of challenges for the band, both technically and musically. The band has enjoyed rehearsing Princethorpe and is looking forward to the performance.
 
With a full complement of quality players and an outstanding musical director on board the band is looking forward to competing in Ballarat.  It hopes that the preparation and development of the band so far will be a springboard to a quality performance at the Nationals next year.  A big thankyou needs to be extended to the principal percussionist Matt Reynolds for helping the band out without a lot of notice, and also to Wally Pope (percussion) and Kate Wiltshire (Euphonium) for playing on permit with us. A huge thank you also to all members of the band for their commitment during this busy period.

4BRDU Predictions:

1.  Boroondara Brass
2.  Box Hill City
3.  Diamond Valley Brass