2008 Australasian Open - Runners and Riders

Seven bands line-up for the inaugural Australasian Open...

Seven bands have decided to take the plunge and attend this first ever Australasian Open.  These bands need to be heartily congratulated for having the determination and commitment, and perhaps bravura to enter into what is largely uncharted waters.

From all indications though, the bands, audience, and those at home watching the live streaming on www.themusicpage.com, should be well rewarded.

With Dalewool's invitation decline, and the withdrawal of St Kilda from this competition, the pool of available players in NZ opened right up.

Player availability and the flexibility in the registration system has allowed bands to fill gaps they might normally have trouble filling. 

Interestingly, very few bands have changed their personnel to any great extent for this particular competition, even though there is opportunity under the FABB registration system to do so. 

4BRDU will be presenting live comments on both days, and will follow-up the event with a photo gallery and retrospective.

Brisbane Brass
Musical Director: Greg Aitken

Brisbane Brass is one of the strongest community brass band organisations in Australasia.  They boast 4 bands and a solid administrative and musical support structure to maintain close to 100 musicians.

In the past 4 years or so, Brisbane Brass has been nudging into the top 'rung' of the A Grade and are very capable of peforming at the highest level here.

Look out for this band on the Sunday for the Entertainment event - the guys and gals of BB will show what community banding spirit is all about.

Brisbane Excelsior
Musical Director: Howard Taylor

Once again, the usual XLCR key players will largely dictate how well the band performs this weekend.

The world class team of Ashley Gittins on Principal Euph and Paula Russell on Principal Cornet will be a highlight, with their styles, skills and ability to play so well together suited to the test piece Music for Battle Creek.

There are a few other personnel changes with Ross Moloney moving up to 1st Baritone in the absence of Brad Hosking; Adrian Head taking on the role of 1st trombone as he did in NZ due to the unavailability of Stuart Bent; and Mason Elliot flying in from NZ to occupy the vacant Flugel chair.  As well, Waratah star soprano Jaime Brown, will pump out the part with solid consistency.

There is no doubt the current Australian and New Zealand Champion Band is playing very well.  Whether or not they can achieve a winning performance on Music for Battle Creek is the question.  This time around there is only one piece to decide the Open Championship.

On the entertainment front - the band has had little recent practice at this form of competition at the highest level. 

Footscray-Yarraville City Band
Musical Director: Phillipa Edwards

Determination this band has plenty of.

MD Phillipa has spent some time working with Professor David King recently and will have done plenty of work with the band trying to implement some of the techniques.

The band will find Music for Battle Creek a challenge, however.

On the Entertainement stage, FYCB have prepared one corker of a program and should not be missed!

St Mary's Band Club Brass Band
Musical Director: Paul Terracini

'Newish' MD, Paul Terracini, is an excellent musician and conductor.  He will be very determined for the band to perform to a level he would expect. 

Whether or not the band has the personnel with the ability to handle the test piece is the question. 

Usual Principal Euphonium, Mark Howcroft, has already headed overseas in preparation for the British Open.  His shoes will be filled by the very capable, Jeff Ma.

The band has a program prepared for Sunday which will surprise many, and introduces some class and culture into the brass band genre.

Warringah Concert Brass
Musical Director: John Saunders

As we've said before, this is a band on the up - and is highly motivated to keep moving in that direction. 

With some serious shuffling of players in the last week or so, the bands personnel is strong and should be able to handle the demands of the test. 

Our ears will be listening to Principal Euphonim, Thom Humphrey, who has improved in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks.

Here is another band who have put an extraordinary amount of work into their concert program - another one not to be missed.

The "Trusts" Waitakere Brass
Musical Director: Steven Booth

Waitakere has been recruiting some quality players and will come to FABB with a very capable team. 

They have also had some very recent match practice having played the test in Christchurch in July, and also last weekend at the Auckland areas.

The bands entertainment program is unique to say the least!  Another one you will just have to see.

Woolston Brass
Musical Director: Graham Hickman

Woolston are hungry for a win and hungry for a good time, and they may very well achieve both.

The personnel within the ranks is excellent.  Listen out for the brilliance of Colin Clarke and Dave Bremner who are both in top class form.  Sadly, the band is missing Phil Johnston on Bb Bass, but the reshuffle within the section is more than adequate.

Currently ranked 2nd in Australasia, Woolston Brass were this year again robbed of its home title by XLCR - this is Woolston's chance for revenge.

In this bands favour is its crown of 2008 NZ Band of the Year, an Entertainment title which it won at this years NZ Championships.  Playing a similar program as it did in July, supplemented with a few extra pieces and a change in singer and compere, Woolston's Sunday show is sure to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

4BRDU PREDICTIONS

The 'Yamaha' Australasian Open Champion:

We think there will really only be two bands who have the technique to fully handle the demands of Music for Battle Creek. 

And ultimately, we expect the final decision to come down to one of the captured style and feel in the final movement.

1. Woolston Brass
2. Brisbane XLCR
3. Warringah Concert Brass
Dark Horse:
The 'Trusts' Waitakere Brass

The 'York' Australasian Entertainment Champion:

Bands preparation and commitment to this event will determine the winner here we think.

1. Woolston Brass
2. Warringah Concert Brass
3. Footscray-Yarraville City Brass
Dark Horse:
The 'Trusts' Waitakere Brass