2007 Australian National Band Championships

Preview: C Grade

The C Grade is sure to be one of the most closely contested sections of the Championships.

Performing Arts Centre – Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School
Adjudicator: Eric Anderson
Test Music: A Gallimaufry Suite – Philip Harper
Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 7 April 4.00 pm
Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 8 April 1.00 pm

Advent Brass, Vic
Conductor: Reynold Gilson

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete

Geelong West Brass Band, Vic
Conductor: Jeff Steele

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete

The Geelong West Brass Band has been quite busy preparing for the Nationals. Rehearsals have been demanding but have progressed reasonably well. To date the band has not been able to rehearse with all members present.

The band recently attended a weekend camp which was most productive both musically and socially.

The test piece whilst appearing fairly straight forward at first glance has a sinister side in that each time it is played another nuance appears.

The band's three own choice pieces are coming together nicely.

"We are all excited and looking forward to competing against such a great selection of C Grade bands,"  the spokesperson for Geelong West Brass Band told 4BRDU.

Marist Brothers, Vic
Conductor:  Matthew Pankhurst

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - C Grade Brass 4th
2005 - C Grade Brass 4th
2006 - did not compete

Marist Brothers Brass Band has been working very hard on its program for the 2007 ‘nationals'. Since a change in the conducting staff in middle of last year the band has been enjoying great success.

The band was very proud of winning the Royal South Street Trophy in C grade at last year's Victorian state championship. The band and Conductor Matt Pankhurst have been working closely with mentor Ken MacDonald on some much more challenging repertoire this year.

Just as it should be, the players have improved their musical skills individually and as a band. This has also been noticeable in the many concerts and play outs the band has performed at over the last few months.

MD Matthew Pankhurst told 4BRDU: "The band is also looking forward to social side of competing at the nationals including having a beverage with friends that we only see once a year."

City of Ballarat Municipal Brass, Vic
Conductor: Brian Milkins

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete

The City of Ballarat Band is practicing hard for the National Band Championships. Unfortunately work commitments have made attendance at rehearsals somewhat unpredictable, but the band is pushing on regardless.
 
The Ballarat Band will be watching very interestedly to how other 'C' Grade bands cover all the prolonged semi-quaver work up to the required tempo (160) in the final section of the test piece.
 
MD Brian Milkins told 4BRDU: "We are looking forward with an element of trepidation and a great deal of excitement to throwing our hat into the ring against other quality groups."

Greater Bendigo Brass, Vic
Conductor: Colin Wellard

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - C Grade Brass 3rd
2006 - did not compete

Greater Bendigo Concert Brass is looking forward to performing at the Nationals. There are a number of new faces, and of course familiar ones, at the band and all and sundry have been applying themselves toward the Easter weekends performances.
 
With the C Grade field being so even, the band is wanting to continue its musical development and to make a definite impression in the top half of the field.
 
MD Colin Wellard says the Test has really grown on the band. "When we first went through it, we were a little uninspired - but since then we think it has really come to life," Colin said. 

The only down side to the bands preparation apart from getting everyone together at the one time (that will of course happen on the day of the performances), is the injury to President, Drum Major and horn player Jan Davey. "Jan took a fall and damaged her shoulder and is in some real pain - especially when she leads the band at marching practice," Colin said. "It is a testament to her character that she is still pushing herself to be a part of the team."
 
It is hoped that Jan will now leave her football playing to one side and concentrate on her music! (just joking Jan)

Sunshine Community Brass, Vic
Conductor: Chris Smith

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - D Grade Brass 2nd
2005 - C Grade Brass 2nd
2006 - did not compete

SCB has had a relatively consistent preparation campaign for the 2007 nationals. The members of SCB have attended rehearsals well and much productive work has been achieved.

It has been a big effort for the band over the last few weeks with the band performing at several local ‘community festivals' in the morning, followed by afternoon rehearsals.

The band has recruited well over the past several months, filling some key positions such as Soprano cornet, front and back row cornets, trombones and percussion.

The band has enjoyed working on the test piece in terms of the technical challenges that the work provides (except for the 10/8 time signature!), along with the musicality of the work. 

Current Victorian C Grade Champions.

Warragul Municipal, Vic
Conductor: Bruce Armstrong

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete

Royal Hifofua Tongan Brass Band, NSW
Conductor: Frederick Deroy Vi

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - D Grade Brass 1st
2005 - did not compete
2006 - C Grade Brass 2nd

St Marys Band Club Brass Band, NSW
Conductor:  Robert Pearce

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - Junior B Brass 2nd
2005 - D Grade Brass 1st
2006 - C Grade Brass 4th

This will be the fifth consecutive year St Marys 2nd Band, The St Marys Band Club "Keller" Brass, have attended the Nationals.

Rehearsals have also been intense with the Keller Brass and the feeling is that they are going to bring home the "bacon".

Toronto Brass, NSW
Conductor: Tim O'Hearn

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - C Grade Brass 3rd

Current NSW State C Grade Champions

Yagoona District, NSW
Conductor:  Norman Short

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - did not compete
2006 - D Grade Brass 1st

Marion City Band, SA
Conductor:  Veronica Boulton

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - C Grade Brass 11th
2006 - did not compete

Marion City Band's preparations have been underway since the start of this year and the players have been working hard with extra rehearsals and sectionals.

The band has been enjoying the test piece and is being managed well, but a highlight for the players is the Own Choice Major Work - the band thoroughly enjoys it.

Marion City Band is still very 'young': eleven members are adult learners (one lady has only been playing for six months) and seven members are juniors. It is very exciting to see some of these inexperienced players carrying lead parts for the Nationals.

The band has had a couple of hitches in its lead up to the Nationals. One of the second cornet players has injured her shoulder and has been told not to play. She won't rehearse with the band in this final week, but will still perform at the Nationals - how's that for dedication!

The Principal Eupho player recently had braces put on his teeth and unfortunately his whole mouth is ulcerated - he's a toughie though and is playing with lots of Bonjela and Panadeine. The First Trombone player goes in for shoulder surgery straight after the Nationals too. Talk about a band falling apart!

The band also has a quartet, quintet, and junior quartet competing.

MD, Veroncia Boulton told 4BRDU: "We're really looking forward to the trip and the highlight will be just 'doing it'. Preparing for and playing at the Nationals is a huge achievement and I am incredibly proud of all the players."

4BRDU Predictions:

1. Sunshine Community Brass
2. Marist Brothers
3. Toronto Brass