2007 New South Wales Brass Band Championships - Preview: Junior Grades

Sunday 26 August approx. 9.00am
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre

Only three Junior Grade bands will be competing this year which is a shame.  As the future of our movement, we would want to hope for a better showing.

But, in the absence of quantity there is plenty of quality.

JUNIOR A GRADE
Approx: 9.30am
Test: Symphonic Impressions by Phillip Rutherford

Gunnedah Shire Juniors
Conductor: Bruce Myers

Principal Players
Soprano: Courtney Jamieson
Cornet: Caitlin Morgan
Flugel: Laura Heuston/Emily Turpin
Tenor Horn: Cameron Sommerlad
Baritone: Ashleigh Brady
Trombone: Charlotte Pettet
Euphonium: Rhianna Brady
EEb Bass: Emily Hansen
Percussion: David Macaulay/Michael McEvoy

Gunnedah Shire Band has been working very hard and is steadily improving. The band has enjoyed the Test, which has many interesting challenges.

This will be the second competition for the band under the baton of Bruce Myers. Bruce has developed a great rapport with the band and is doing a fantastic job in developing its talents.

The band has an average age of 12, with most principals new to their position. It has been great to see these young players positive approach to preparations and they all look forward to the competition with great enthusiasm.

A pre-contest concert was held at the Band Hall on Saturday 18 August - an opportunity for the Band to thank its loyal supporters and to iron out any pre-contest jitters.

Gunnedah looks forward to the competition and hopes to play well on the day.

Winner here last year and the year before and the year before...you get the picture.  Also current National Junior A Grade champions - got to be the favourites once again.

Willoughby Band    
Conductor: Brian McGuinness 

A great little band who could well be closing the gap between itself and Gunnedah.

Had to settle for second place at the Nats and here last year.         

JUNIOR C GRADE
Approx. 9.00am
Test: Own Choice

Junior C Bands will perform a sacred item, own choice, and concert item

Warringah Youth     
Conductor: John Saunders     
Sacred Item: Holy Holy Holy, John Bacchus Dykes, arr James Curnow    
Own Choice: Dimensions, Peter Graham    
Concert Item: Jubilation, Fantasy on American spirituals, James Curnow 

As the reigning state and national champions of junior C grade, Warringah Youth Brass is confident in its preparations for the upcoming competition. As this band is an exceptionally young band, the band has been lucky that, on the whole, the players are consistent from the previous years, but now with an added year of instruction and skill under their belts.

Even though the field of competing bands is bare, we can be sure that Warringah Youth will put in a fabulous performance, with hard working MD, John Saunders giving it his all.