2007 New Zealand Brass Band Championships - Preview: B Grade

Test & Sacred Item, Friday 6 July 9.30am
Own Choice, Saturday 7 July 11.30am
Bruce Mason Centre Auditorium
Adjudicator: Nigel Boddice
Test: Salamander, John McCabe

Addington Brass
Musical Director: Iaan Wilson

It has been a busy few months for Addington Brass. All players are pleased to be working on contest music after a most demanding concert on April 28 which included Moorside Suite,  Judges of the Secret Court, and guest soloist,  Sarah Wilson, playing the famous Arutjunjan Trumpet Concerto.  

The band is very happy and have found the contest preparation somewhat refreshing to have only two pieces on the music stand - but apparently they don't want the MD to know this!

Iaan has  called some extra sectional rehersals and has been working with the cornet and horn teams,  leaving  Davey Boyes (on the solo euph chair) able to look after the more important end of the band!

Rehersals have been well attended, however Iaan's list of bar numbers  to work on does seem to grow rather than diminish.  

Unfortunately, Gary Vercoe (eupho) is unable to attend this years contest. Due to some poor planning, he will become a Dad at about the same time the rest of the band will be playing Salamander.  He assures us however, that he will be thinking of us.  The band is grateful to Steve Griffin for helping us out in Gary's absence.

Soprano: Chris Woolley
Principal Cornet: John Wise
Flugel: Grant Dempsey
Solo Horn:  Mat Johnston
Solo Baritone: Brian Smith
Solo Euphonium: Davey Boyes
Solo Trombone: Barrie Aldridge
Eflat Bass: Tony Biddington
Percussion:  Bernie Lynch

Past Nationals record:
2006 1st
2005 -
2004 4th

Band of the Royal Regiment NZ Artillery
Dennis Schofield - Bandmaster
 
Artillery are well prepared for this year having not competed for a couple of years due to unforseen circumstances.
 
Salamander has been a Test to expand our musical and ensemble abilities - a challenge to say the least for any B Grade band. With a solid team and dedication we will enjoy our presentation.
 
Sop: Bill Rimmer
Principal: Doug Rose
Cornet Team:
Sarah Coatworth
John Knowles
Alan Bloemendal
Dave Lawrence
Judith Little
Peter Crystal
Donna Flack
Sally Nutt
Flugel: Debbie Mckinley
Solo Horn: John Rimmer
Principal Euph: Vic Holmes
Solo Trom: Ken Milner
Eb Bass: Dave Leslie
Bb Bass: Mark Taylor

Past Nationals record:
2006 -
2005 -
2004 10th

Boroondara Brass, Australia
Musical Director: Daniel vanBergen

Led by the dynamic Danny vanBergen, Boroondara are a band to watch with energy and enthusiasm oozing from the seams.

Soprano:Josh Rogan
Principal Cornet: Jared Moore
Repiano: Julie Payne
Flugel: Giselle Stanfield
Solo Horn: Caitlyn Dinsdale
Solo Euphonium: Lachlan Wright
First Trombone: Rachael Barling/Brendan McKee
Bass Trombone: David Wolfe
Principal EEb Bass: Rhys McKee
Pricnipal BBb Bass: Jim Thomas/Dave Watson
Principal Percussion: Angus Wilson
 
Boroondara has under gone a reshuffle of seats for the New Zealand trip due to some people being unavailable. Looking forward to crossing the ditch Boroondara are finding the test a challenge with some very interesting moments. After a very busy schedule of the Australian Championships and the BEndigo Eisteddfod in Both B and A grade Boroondara has had a lot on their plate with New Zealand as the culmination of  very busy 6 months. Everyone is very excited about the trip and is looking forward to their first competition experience overseas.

Past Nationals record:
2007 6th (Oz)
2006 -
2005 4th (Oz)

Castle Trust Hamilton Brass
Musical Director: Gary Bilton
Drum Major: Moses Cherrington

Principal Players:
Principal Cornet: Clive Burnell
Principal Euphonium: Ross McAdam
Soprano: Robin Jobe
Solo Horn: Vicki Henderson
Flugel: Stuart Lindsey
Solo Trombone: Mike Rogers
Tuba: Vinny Jervis
Baritone: Richard Edgecombe

After a successful contest in 2006, coming 2nd Aggregate B Grade, and winning the B Grade Set Test, Sacred Item and Street March, Castle Trust Hamilton Brass have high hopes for the 2007 National Contest. 

Preparations are going well with players enjoying the intricacies of the Set Test (Salamander).  The band has been improving steadily since beginning rehearsals for the contest and are on track to peak at the right time.

Castle Trust Hamilton Brass has set a goal of clean-sweeping the B Grade, including defending their marching title.  At this stage in the preparations they believe this is a very real prospect.

Past Nationals record:
2006 2nd
2005 -
2004 8th

Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass
Musical Director: David Bremner
 
This band is a very young band in the rebuilding stage with the majority of players under 25.

With David Bremner as MD the band is going from strength to strength having had several successful concerts this year.

Soprano: Andrew Weir
Principal Cornet: Danny Kirgan
Flugal: Mark Bremner
Principal Horn: Sharon Adamson
Principal Euphonium: David Chaulk
Principal Trombone: Mark Davey
Principal Bass: Ryan Peni
Principal Percussion: Martyn Smith

Past Nationals record:
2006 -
2005 1st
2004 7th

Port of Napier Brass

Representatives from the band are more than welcome to contact 4BRDU with further information on the bands preparation.

Past Nationals record:
2006 4th
2005 6th
2004 5th

Tauranga City Silver Band
Musical Director: Gary Langdon

Representatives from the band are more than welcome to contact 4BRDU with further information on the bands preparation.

Past Nationals record:
2006 1st (C grade)
2005 6th (C grade)
2004 -

Titan Hutt City Brass

Representatives from the band are more than welcome to contact 4BRDU with further information on the bands preparation.

Past Nationals record:
2006 5th
2005 3rd
2004 6th

Trusts Porirua City Brass
Musical Director Kerry Garrett
Drum Major: John Jones,
Contest Manager: Cheryl Godwin
Chairman: Geoff Warren.

The bands preparations are travelling according to plan and all is happy in the Porirua camp.

Past Nationals record:
2006 3rd
2005 2nd
2004 1st