2008 Australian Band Championships

Preview: B Grade

Brisbane City Hall
Adjudicator: Peter Adams
Test Music: Main Street, Eric Ball
Hymn and Test Selection Saturday 22 March 2.00pm
Own Choice Selection and Stage March Sunday 23 March 2.00pm

Originally a field of seventeen bands, Addington from New Zealand and Toowoomba Municipal have withdrawn, leaving a slightly more manageable number of fifteen bands - will still be a long session though for New Zealand adjudicator, Peter Adams.

Six Australian States/Territories plus New Zealand are represented which makes for a very interesting contest.

The competition will be tough and the standard will be high - particularly from the current New Zealand B Grade Champions, Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass Band (David Bremner), defending Australian Champions, Hobart City (Simon Cawthorn), and current NSW Champions, Sutherland Shire Brass (Warwick Tyrrell).

Each band in this grade is playing a different Own Choice selection. Chosen pieces include Ballet for Band (Horovitz), Chivalry (Ellerby), Rhapsody in Brass (Goffin), Music for the Common Man (Downie), Diversions on a Bass Theme (Lloyd), Shine as the Light (Graham), Firestorm (Bulla), Trittico (Curnow), The Land of the Long White Cloud (Sparke), Diversions on a Bass Theme (Lloyd), Rhapsody in Brass (Goffin), The Devil's Bridge (Moren), Partita for Band (Wilby), Evocations (Ellerby), A London Overture (Sparke)

Boroondara Brass, VIC
Conductor: Daniel Van Bergen

Much has been expected from Boroondara in the past and this contest is no different. The band has the players and the musical director to be an extremely competitive unit. If preparation has been adequate and things come together, this could be Booroondara's year.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - B Grade 4th
2006 - did not compete
2007 - B Grade 6th

Brisbane Brass 2, QLD
Conductor: John Christodoulides

A very solid B Grade band this, and should perform well. Expecting perhaps a middle of the pack outcome.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - C Grade 1st
2007 - did not compete

Bundaberg Municipal Band No 1, QLD
Conductor: Robert Rotar

Has been a successful band in its home State, and did well here in 2006, but could find the competition from other states and abroad just a little too stiff.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - B Grade 3rd
2007 - did not compete

Canning City Brass Band, WA
Conductor: Andrew Sutherland

Fantastic to see the Canning City Brass Band make the journey across the continent.

Have hovered between A and B Grade and their home State and will be able to hold their own in this field.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete
2007 - did not compete

City of Greater Dandenong, VIC
Conductor: Colin Lord

Has been competing in this grade for many years but the trophy has been out of reach in recent times. Will be consistent performers.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete
2007 - B Grade 7th

Geelong West Brass Band, VIC
Conductor: Jeff Steele

Recently promoted to B Grade, this ambitious band has plenty of momentum and will be looking to create a real impression at this contest.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete
2007 - C Grade 1st

Hall Village Brass Band, ACT/NSW
Conductor: Aaron Madden

With a disappointing result at last years State titles, Hall Village will be keen to improve upon its performance.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - B Grade 7th
2006 - did not compete
2007 - B Grade 3rd

Hobart City Brass Band, TAS
Condutor: Simon Cawthorn

A very capable band who have had a rapid rise up the ranks. Will be looking for the double here and will need to work hard to achieve it.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - D Grade 2nd
2006 - did not compete
2007 - B Grade 1st

Parramatta City, NSW
Conductor: Johnathan Gatt

Will make a big sound, with plenty of confidence but may be outclassed in this field.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete
2007 - did not compete

Pelorus Trust Wellington Brass Band, NZ
Conductor: David Bremner

Current New Zealand B Grade champions, Pelorus is a very classy outfit with one of the best brass musicians in the business as its conductors. Certainly a band on the up and will be one not to miss - also a couple of special guest players within the ranks worth listening to.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - did not compete
2007 - did not compete

Sunnybank Brass No 1, QLD
Conductor: Mark Biggs

Have been middle of the pack in home state QLD and may struggle against the big guns here.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - B Grade 7th
2007 - did not compete

Sutherland Shire Brass, NSW
Conductor: Warwick Tyrrell

A top class band with a top class MD. Have been nudging A Grade and will be right up there.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - B Grade 5th
2006 - did not compete
2007 - B Grade 2nd

Toronto Brass, NSW
Conductor: Tim O'Hearn

Recently upgrade, Toronto will be well prepared and keen to show they deserve to be in this grade.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - C Grade 7th
2006 - C Grade 3rd
2007 - C Grade 4th

Townsville Brass, QLD
Conductor: Kim Lofthouse

Kim Lofthouse will provide an enormous injection of energy and quality into this already decent ensemble.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - B Grade 4th
2007 - did not compete

Windsor Brass, QLD
Conductor: Ken Bradley

Great to see Ken Bradley back in front of a band - this time to help out Windsor Brass whose regular conductor, Michael Purtle, will be busy playing in Brisbane Excelsior during the contest.

Past 3 Year National Track Record:

2005 - did not compete
2006 - B Grade 5th
2007 - did not compete