2008 Australian National Band Championships - Preview: Junior Grades

A disappointing number of bands in the Junior sections this year, with only five bands in total making up the three grades - three bands from New South Wales, one from Victoria, and one from Queensland.

Own Choice selections include Dakota (de Haan), Kaleidoscope (Sparke), The Dark Side of the Moon (Lovatt-Cooper), Music from Kantara (Downie), and Shakespearean Rhapsody (Heath).

JUNIOR A

Brisbane City Hall
Adjudicator: John Thomas
Test Music:  Lydian Pictures, Simon Dobson
Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 11.20am
Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 10.30am

Gunnedah Shire Junior Band, NSW
Conductor: Bruce Myers

The Gunnedah juniors are attempting to win their 7th successive Junior A Grade National title, and must be considered favourites in this section.

Bruce Myers and Lawrence Rowe, continue to do great things for the youth in Gunnedah.

Past 4 Year National Track Record:

2004 - Junior A Brass 1st
2005 - Junior A Brass 1st
2006 - Junior A Brass 1st
2007 - Junior A Brass 1st

Willoughby Band Junior Brass, NSW
Conductor: Brian McGuinness

A strong youth band this who, under MD Brian McGuinness, always strive for the best musical outcome possible.

Past 4 Year National Track Record:

2004 - Junior A Brass 2nd
2005 - Junior A Brass 2nd
2006 - Junior A Brass 3rd
2007 - Junior A Brass 2nd

JUNIOR B

Brisbane City Hall
Adjudicator: John Thomas
Test Music: St Andrews Variations, Alan Fernie
Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 10.25am
Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 9.30am

Boroondara Youth Brass, Vic
Conductor: Daniel van Bergen

Sure to be strongly competitive in this grade, Boroondara Youth will be looking to claim a National title - something the band hasn't achieved since 2005.

Past 4 Year National Track Record:

2004 - did not compete
2005 - Junior B Brass 1st; Junior C Brass 1st
2006 - did not compete
2007 - Junior B Brass 2nd

Warringah Youth, NSW
Conductor: John Saunders

This is the first year for this band in Junior B Grade having dominated the Junior C Grade section for the last 2 years.  

Clearly steadily improving over time, John Saunders will have his kids playing to the best of their ability and will be having a great time doing it.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - Junior C Brass 2nd
2006 - Junior C Brass 1st
2007 - Junior C Brass 1st

JUNIOR C

Brisbane City Hall
Adjudicator: John Thomas
Test Music: Glasgow Overture, Alan Fernie
Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 10.00am
Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 9.00am

Brisbane Brass Juniors, QLD
Conductor: Bill Barker

The fourth band for the Brisbane Brass organisation and one with plenty of enthusiasm and energy.  

Nothing stopping the band this year from winning its first National title.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:
2005 - did not compete
2006 - Junior C Brass 2nd
2007 - did not compete