2007 New South Wales Brass Band Championships

Retrospective: D Grade

26 August
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
Adjudicator: Doug Trottman OAM
Test: Procession, Hymn and Circus Theme, Graham Howard

D grade attracted the most entries from any section in the NSW Brass Band Championships, and this year showcased some fine playing from bands diverse in age and experience. Although weary from the previous night's celebrations, 4BRDU looked forward to spending the better part of Sunday taking in what promised to be a great day's competition. 

Representatives from each of the D Grade bands
 
Bankstown City Brass under Rae Forrester opened proceedings with the deceivingly difficult In Perfect Peace by Ken Downie. We were a touch dissapointed with their performance, but they nonetheless showed a maturity which we felt might be hard to beat for the other bands.

Bankstown City Brass

Their test was a cracker off the number 1 draw, so much so that we tipped them as winners there and then. Right we were then, although we thought they could have done a little better with their efforts in the Own Choice section. Their rendition of Sparke's  Triptych did leave the door open, but at the end of the day they were still strong enough to come away with the title.

Its all about presentation....band colours and all!
 
Armidale followed with a solid, well rehearsed performance. There's was a real no nonsense show, with some fine work from the principal cornet player.

Armidale City Band

Their stylish, intelligent playing was enough to get them into third - a well deserved result we thought. Currently in a rebuilding phase the band had 12 of its members making their debut at this contest with several learners recently promoted to the 'senior' band.  Several youngsters also filled new positions such as flugel and soprano.

Experience and youth combine
 
With Jude Myers, Kristy Rowe and Holly Winsor all on loan from Gunnedah, we were expecting a decent showing from Tamworth RSL, and they came through with the goods as well.

Tamworth RSL Brass Band

Their hymn showed off some mature sounds, and the Test and Own Choice were presented with confidence and an unshakeable musical intent. They could perhaps count themselves a little unlucky with sixth overall, but it was still great to see this country band get up and give it a good run.
 
Holroyd made a fine showing under MD Shaun Yow, and despite the irritating door-slams mid performance, they really focussed in to deliver a superb account of the Hymn and Test selections.

City of Holroyd

Their Own Choice for us was a highlight of the weekend, with their pint-sized flugel horn soloist delivering some of the most astounding playing we've heard for a long long time. Young Dominic Longhurst's, playing in Goff Richard's Hollywood proved to be one of the weekend's highlights, and had us still shaking our heads in amazement on the flight home that evening. 

It wasn't me!
 
Nowra struggled in their performances of the Hymn and Test, but still gave us some great moments in their own choice, Frank Wright's Sailor's Songs.

The very colourful Nowra Town Band

We were dissapointed not to hear more dynamic contrast from the band as a whole, but have to commend their bass section for showing some real grunt when required.
 
Newcastle PCYC took to the stage under Teena Wallace to deliver some finely balanced playing in their sacred item Crimond. They fielded a very large band on the day, but this never proved to be a problem, as this bunch seemed to focus on their conductor more intently than any band we saw over the weekend.

Newcastle PCYC Brass

The band got right into the swing of things with Oregon in the Own Choice section, showing spirit and enthusiasm by the bucketload. They can be justly proud of their performances, and even though they didn't quite make the top end of the pile this time, we had a great time listening to what they had to offer. 

The future of brass bands on display
 
Jonathon Gatt was a busy man indeed over the weekend, conducting 2 bands and playing in at least one that we saw. His Brisbane Water Brass played delightfully on Fernie's arrangement of Lloyd and made an equally impressive job out of the test, with a few intonation and balance issues being the only real distractions from an otherwise enjoyable showing.

Brisbane Water Brass

We have to admit being a little dissapointed with their execution of Oregon, some scrappy ensemble skills detracting from what could have sealed a very competitive array of performances.

Ron Boaden shows he isn't just a pretty face - MD for CNL Brass and Bass Trom for Brisbane Water Brass
 
Come results time and there were no real surprises. Holroyd could certainly count themselves unlucky not to come away with a win in the own choice, but there can be no taking away from the admirable efforts of the Bankstown band, who showed they were consistently a class (and easily a grade) above the rest.  
 
Ben Crocker
Photos: Amanda Casagrande