2007 Victorian State Band Championships

Preview

VBL Victorian State Band Championships
11-12 August, 2007
Wendouree Centre of the Performing Arts, Ballarat

There are only 14 Brass Bands competing in this years Victorian State Band Championships which is somewhat of a disappointment. 

Even though the contest might be lacking in numbers it  won't be lacking in enthusiasm and energy from those bands who are making the journey to Ballarat - particularly from the lower grade bands who will be sure to enjoy themselves - they always do!

Bands not attending this year but made a showing last year are Hawthorn, Kew, Box Hill City, Diamond Valley, Marion City, Advent Brass, Greater Bendigo, Moonee Valley, Daylesford & District, Echuca, and Boroondara Youth.

Newcomers this year include Shepparton, Stawell, Warragul, and Wodonga.

The weekend doesn't kick off until late Saturday with the big guns, the A Grade Brass, last to take to the stage on Saturday evening. So lets see what we have...

 SATURDAY 11 August 6pm

D Grade Concert
Lakes & Craters
Conductor: Casey Tucker

C Grade Concert
Bendigo District Concert
Conductor: Jason Hague

B Grade Concert
Southern Area Concert
Condutor: Darren Wright

A GRADE BRASS
Test: Dances and Arias, Gregson
Adjudicator: Graeme Lloyd

Footscray Yarraville
Musical Director: Phillipa Edwards

Due to a number of key players being absent for over a month travelling to Ghana for Ghanaian drumming lessons(as you do!) and the recent ABC Heat and Final concert, Footscray's preparation for the upcoming State Championships has been  reduced to just four rehearsals.

The band feels though that, whilst this is not ideal, the relatively comfortable A grade level of the Test Piece makes it very doable.

With this is mind, it is very disappointing that the other A grade bands have not been able to attend. With the illustrious Joe Cook travelling the Tasman and Ian Cooper dusting off his Soprano cornet, Footscray is once again in fine form and out for a win. 

A band definitely on the up and a performance to look forward to for sure.

Pity there's no one to compete against.

 SUNDAY 12 August 9am

Junior C Brass
Test: The Craftsman, Bouthier
Adjudicator: Mark Ford

Bendigo Youth Brass
Musical Director: Matt Cutler

This band did a fine job last year in Junior C Grade and will be looking forward to having some competition this year.

Hyde Street Youth Band
Musical Director: Mark Fitzpatrick

The Hyde Street Youth Band have been working hard on this years Junior C grade test piece The Craftsman and have found it tobe a challenge all the way throughout the band, especially in the percussion. Quite a few of the players will be competing at their first brass band contest least of all, Musical Director Mark Fitzpatrick, who will be making his debut with a baton in his hand on the contest stage.

The band recently spent an enjoyable and tiring weekend down in Torquay rehearsing in the local Anglican Hall and enjoying the hospitality of the Torr family's holiday house. Mark was ably assisted over the weekend by Assistant M.D, David Redding, former principal trombone, Ben Milne and training band conductor, Lindsay Paterson.

The band has had a busy year so far, marching in the ANZAC parade in Melbourne, the Bayside Festival, Seddon Music in the park and at the Walk for Life at the Newport Athletics Track.

They have also finally found a permanent home after being forced out of the old bandroom at the Hyde Street Primary School a number of years ago, with the Footscray Yarraville Band graciously opening their doors to Hyde Street and continuing a relationship that has lasted for many years.

Junior B Brass
Test: Patterns, Gregson
Adjudicator: Mark Ford

Whitehorse Brass
Musical Director: Alwynne Strentz

Whitehorse Brass, Box Hill City's Junior Band, came second in this competition last year.  With no other bands in this grade to compete against this year, an improvement in result is a fate a compli. 

OPEN D BRASS
Test: Voices of Youth, Gregson
Adjudicator: Mark Ford

City of Bendigo Brass
Musical Director: Andrew Trewartha

Band Personnel:
Soprano:  Jason Hague
Principal Cornet:  Shared by Michael Dobson/Louisa Trewartha
Flugel: Trevor Trewartha
Solo Horn: Daryl Deraugo
Principal Eupho: Shared by Peter Darlow/Katherine Dobson
Solo Bari: Janine Blake
Principal Trom: Brendan Bartlett
Bass Trom: Anthony Johns
Principal Eb Bass: Bryan Brewer
Principal Bb Bass: David Hague
Principal Percussionist: Cally Tromans

City of Bendigo Brass has played at both the Nationals (April) and Bendigo Comps (June), and the preparation for this contest has been a little less intense than earlier in the year.  However, the band is still confident of doing a good job at Ballarat.

Voices of Youth outwardly appears to be a very “traditional” choice for a Test Piece, and still provides significant variation in each movement, challenges for all sections of the band and certainly less emphasis on having a huge percussion section (as opposed to modern day arrangements).

Darebin City - Northern Brass
Musical Director: Andrew Power

 Clear winners in this section last year and 2007 D Grade National Champions, this band should take the honours and convince the MAB a regrade is warranted.

Shepparton Brass Band
Musical Director: Oswald Jellyman

A bit in the dark we are about Shepparton - perhaps someone from Shepparton could get in contact with us downunder@4barsrest.com

Stawell City Brass Band
Musical Director: Siborne Lanagan

In very few words, The Stawell Band hasn't competed for about 30 years, so the competition in Ballarat is a bit exciting for them, and a bit of a challenge.

The band didn't decide to compete until very late and only got the test piece at the end of June.

The Band is a mixture of young and old. There are 22 members aged from 14 to 74 - half are secondary school students. There are 18 members travelling  to Ballarat including one permit soprano cornet player from Warracknabeal. Our other soprano cornet player is a beginning but determined 14 year old.

Siborne Lanagan, the bands MD, turned 21 last week.

The Stawell City Brass Band is a member of the Wimmera Bands Group and many of the younger players have been regulars at the WBG Music School.

Currently the band is on a quest for new uniforms. You will probably notice the old jackets, which are over 30 years old, are a little out of date!

The bands spokesperson told 4BRUD: "We have a great time at rehearsals and what we might lack in finesse, we make up for in enthusiasm."

 OPEN C BRASS
Test: Partita, Gregson
Adjudicator: Mark Ford

Geelong West Brass
Musical Director: Jeff Steele

2007 National C Grade Champions, Geelong West Brass Band is looking forward to performing at the 2007 Victorian State Band Championships.  Since the Australian Nationals, the band has been performing concerts around Geelong and is currently rehearsing for its Annual concert “Songs from Yesteryears” to be held in early September.

The contest has crept up on band and rehearsals on all the pieces are progressing well.  Like most bands, the band has not been able to rehearse with all members present.

Our Life Member Gina Mears passed away recently.  The band performed along side with members of Derabin Brass at Gina’s funeral.  Our thoughts for Gina will be with us on Sunday and we know too well she will be listening intently from up above.

Partita from the onset looks easy to play on paper, but the 2nd & 3rd movements are the most challenging.  The band has enjoyed working on this piece and we are looking forward to perform Partita to the best of its ability.

City of Ballarat Municipal Band
Musical Director: Brian Milkins

City of Ballart Municipal will be keen to continue working its way up the C Grade 'ladder'.  A strong performance will be expected here.

Sunshine Community Brass
Musical Director: Chris Smith

Never one to disappoint, Chris Smith will have Sunshine Community Brass ready.  Winners here last year but down the line somewhat at this years Nationals, the band will defend its title with gusto.

Warragul Municipal
Musical Director: Bruce Armstrong

Warragul achieved an average result in a strong section at this years Nationals, and did not compete here last year.

Other than that, we are a bit in the dark about Warragul - perhaps someone from Warragul could get in contact with us downunder@4barsrest.com

Wondonga Brass
Musical Director: Gregory Lewis

A bit in the dark we are about Wondonga - perhaps someone from Wondonga could get in contact with us downunder@4barsrest.com

OPEN B BRASS
Test: Essay, Gregson
Adjudicator: Mark Ford

Boroondara Brass
Musical Director: Danny VanBergen

Defending its B Grade title, Boroondara Brass assure a good showing this weekend.  Danny VanBergen will be wanting his band to progress even further in terms of its performance standards and will most likely do so...even if there is no one to compete against!