24-Dec-2006
4barsrest Downunder - Band of the Year 2006
Who are the players (and conductor) we have chosen as the 4BRDU Band of the Year for 2006? There are some great performers chosen but do you agree with our choices?

19-Nov-2006
Waitakere Tour Diary - September 2006
One time at band camp!

8-Nov-2006
The role, responsibility and accountability of adjudicators - For consideration
The role, responsibility and accountability of adjudicators is an area which has received a lot of attention recently. Many aspects were debated on 4BRDU last month, as opinions were offered in response to the 2006 Victorian Championships retrospective.

4-Nov-2006
South Australian State Band Championships - Contest Preview
This year, the South Australian Band Association State Band Championships are being held Sunday 5 November, in conjunction with the Barossa Contest Committee, at the Brenton Langbein Theatre, Tanunda.

3-Nov-2006
Spotlight Interview No. 1 - Riki McDonnell
Riki McDonnell. Most brass musicians world wide have heard of him and his many successes. But how many of us really know about the man behind the euphonium? Alexandra Kerwin gets up close and personal....

20-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Championships - Retrospective: B Grade
There were only three bands in the B Grade section but by no means was there a shortage of quality.

19-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Championships - Retrospective: C Grade
The C Grade section fielded a strong list of competitors and was closely contested.

19-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Championships - Retrospective: D Grade
The strength and standard of both the C and D Grade bands in Victoria seemed to be generally very high, particularly in comparison to bands in the same grade in other Eastern states.

19-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Championships - Retrospective: Junior Grade
The Junior Bands are always a delight to watch, and this contest was no different.

17-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Championships - Retrospective: Overview and A Grade
The 2006 Victorian Championships were held on the weekend of 14-15 October, in Ballarat, by joint organisers the Victorian Bands League and the Royal South Street Society.

13-Oct-2006
2006 Tasmanian Band Championships - Contest Preview
Sir Stanley Burbury Centre, University of Tasmania in Hobart will be the venue for the 2006 Tasmanian Band Championships being held this weekend 14-15 October. The concert bands will compete on Saturday and the brass on Sunday.

12-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian State Championships - B Grade Preview and Predictions
When: Sunday 15 October 7.30pm Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Adjudicator: Major Eric Anderson Test Piece: Princethorpe Variations by Kenneth Downie

12-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian State Championships - C Grade Preview and Predictions
When: Sunday 15 October 2.30pm Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Adjudicator: Bruce Armstrong Test Piece: Inspiration by Jan de Haan

12-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian Band Championships - D Grade Preview and Predictions
When: Sunday 15 October 10.15am Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Adjudicator: Major Eric Anderson Test Piece: Pacific Dreams by Jacob DeHaan

12-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian State Band Championships - Junior Grades Preview and Predictions
When: Sunday 15 October 8.30am Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Adjudicator: Bruce Armstrong Junior B Grade Test: St Andrew's Variations by Alan Fernie Junior C Grade Test: Castle of Scotland by James Pendleton

12-Oct-2006
2006 Victorian State Championships - A Grade Preview and Predictions
When: Saturday 14 October 7.30pm Where: Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts Adjudicator: Major Eric Anderson Test Piece: The Night to Sing by Bramwell Tovey

9-Oct-2006
2006 Melbourne International Festival of Brass - A Reflection
Over the duration of the several days I spent at the 2006 MIFB I heard the festival referred to several times as "one of the best kept secrets". Never a truer word was said in jest.

4-Sep-2006
2006 Queensland Band Association Northern Zone Band Festival - Retrospective
Cairns Brass Youth Blitz their First Contest!

4-Sep-2006
Steve Miles Kiwi Diaries - Part 2
2006 promised to be very busy year for me here in Dunedin. Now we are over half way through and the time has just flown by...

30-Aug-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - Junior Grades Retrospective
For us, this section was one of the highlights of the weekend. Starting at the early time (early for a Sunday, at least!) of 8.30am, it was pleasing to see a crowd of approximately 200 people in the auditorium to applaud the juniors onto the stage.

10-Sep-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - D Grade Retrospective
This was a long session to cover....but we were kept entertained and amused.

30-Aug-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - C Grade Retrospective
This was an enjoyable section to listen to with one of the greatest classic lower grade test pieces of all.

30-Aug-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - B Grade Retrospective
Another section with, in our opinion (and obviously Mr Jarrett's), a clear winner. Warringah Concert Brass made a clean sweep of all events, but Sutherland Shire Brass were hot on their heels!

30-Aug-2006
2006 NSW State Championships - A Grade Retrospective
Few were surprised to see Waratah Brass make a clean sweep of the A Grade events, once again firmly positioning itself as number 1 in New South Wales, and worthy winners they were.

10-Sep-2006
2006 NSW State Brass Band Championships - 26-27 August, Penrith
This weekend sees 26 brass bands line up for this years state titles. Few would argue with the magnificent choice of venue. The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith should be great in terms of acoustic, comfort and organisational logistics.

15-Aug-2006
New Zealand National Secondary Schools Band - Annual Course, 3-8 August, 2006
Alexandra Kerwin provides a detailed account, complete with photographs, of the 5 days of fun!

21-Jul-2006
2006 New Zealand National Championships - Retrospective
Apologies for it being a bit late this year, but it would have been wrong not to have offered our opinion on what was a quite amazing Nationals in Dunedin.

10-Jul-2006
Downunder Rankings - June/July 2006 Update
Following the results of WA State Championships and NZ Nationals, several bands have shuffled with St Kilda Brass regaining top spot.

26-Jun-2006
Concert at the Bay - Brass with Class
Geoff McGregor reviews the recent concert by CNL Brass at the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre.

22-Jun-2006
NBCA Annual Conference & AGM - Notices of Motions from NSW, Tasmania and Victoria
We have discussed the Notices of Motion from Queensland in our June editorial. Here we present the Notices moved by NSW, Tasmania and Victoria. Feel free to comment.

12-Jun-2006
East Coast of Australia Band Championships - Newcastle City Hall
4BRDU reviews The East Coast of Australia Band Championships and Festival of The Bands.

4-Jun-2006
WA State Band Championships - Retrospective
The 2006 Western Australian State Band Festival was held at Churchlands Senior High School on Saturday June 3.

1-Jun-2006
Downunder Rankings - May 2006 Update
Brisbane Excelsior Band rises to the top of the table on the back of their 10th place at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

1-Jun-2006
2006 All England Masters International - Retrospective
Cambridge is a place well known for those who use their brains. Dave Roberts and Rothwell certainly passed the tough exam paper on Paganini, but plenty of others fell by the wayside...

1-Jun-2006
2006 All England Masters International - Postcard
Cambridge is that kind of town and it certainly gives the Masters an unique atmosphere, even if the local waitress makes you feel a bit of a dumbo.

24-May-2006
2006 All England Masters International - Introduction and Predictions
This weekend sees bands from all over the world converge on a tight corner of Cambridge to see who will become the Masters International Champions.

26-May-2006
2006 All England Masters International - Runners and Riders
4BR looks at the 21 bands who are trying to leave Cambridge on Sunday night crowned as the Masters of all they survey.

24-May-2006
2006 All England Masters International - The Conductors Records
4BR takes a glance at the 21 MDs this year to find out which ones have the form to suggest they could be adding a Masters title to their CV.

25-May-2006
2006 All England Masters International - Test piece review
4BR looks at the Alton Towers of brass band test pieces, and wonders of if it will once again excite those who opt for the thrilling ride.

24-May-2006
2006 All England Masters International - 53 useless facts to bore your friends
Bored? Tired? Haven't got any friends? This may be the reason why...

8-Jun-2006
Chris Bowman in the UK - The second half
After arriving back home in Adelaide, Chris Bowman reflects on his fantastic banding holiday in the UK, where he was a guest of the PolySteel Band.

23-May-2006
Chris Bowman - In the UK
After just over a week in the UK, Chris has experienced the local Guiness, Chippers - oh... and lots of brass banding!

18-May-2006
International Brass Band A'Live Aid' Week - 19-28 May
This week brass bands from all around the world will be contributing to Brass Band Week - another fundraising initiative of Brass Band Aid.

16-May-2006
The Kavanagh Journey - Banding for an Aussie
A year ago Rob from Adelaide, South Australia, set off to the Great Brass Band Land. Chris Bowman from 4BRDU caught up with him in Blackpool and here's the update on the Journey.

8-May-2006
Hahndorf Town Band 80th Anniversary - Reunion Dinner, The Hahndorf Inn, 5th May 2006
A gathering of over 100 past and present members and supporters of the Hahndorf Town Band celebrated the band's milestone with a sumptuous dinner at The Hahndorf Inn.

8-May-2006
Hahndorf 80th Anniversary Contest - Marching, entertainment and camaraderie
The Hahndorf Town Band's 80th Anniversary Contest was a success and is surely to spawn future events in the historic Adelaide Hills town.

19-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Retrospective Junior Grades
Brisbane, Queensland was the setting for the Australian National Band Championships this year. 4BRDU takes a look at the Junior Grade performances over the Easter weekend.

19-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Retrospective B Grade
Brisbane, Queensland was the setting for the Australian National Band Championships this year. 4BRDU takes a look at the B Grade performances over the Easter weekend.

19-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Retrospective D Grade
Brisbane, Queensland was the setting for the Australian National Band Championships this year. 4BRDU takes a look at the D Grade performances over the Easter weekend.

19-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Retrospective A Grade
Brisbane, Queensland was the setting for the Australian National Band Championships this year. 4BRDU takes a look at the A Grade performances over the Easter weekend.

19-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Retrospective C Grade
Brisbane, Queensland was the setting for the Australian National Band Championships this year. 4BRDU takes a look at the C Grade performances over the Easter weekend.

30-Apr-2006
Downunder Rankings - April 2006 Update No 2
Our second Downunder Rankings update for 2006 following the Australian National Championships in Brisbane. St Kilda Brass from Dunedin takes the lead.

21-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Preview: A and B Grade
We're getting to the business end of preparations now for the 2006 Australian National Band Championships.

10-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - Preview: C, D and Junior Grade
With only a few days to go till the Australian National Band Championships in Brisbane, Queensland, bands are busy and excited with last-minute rehearsals and travel preparations.

10-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - A, B & C Grade Test Pieces
We've put together a synopsis of each of the Tests for A, B & C Grade, together with a profile of the composers.

10-Apr-2006
2006 Australian National Championships - 4BRDU - The friendly faces
We're coming to the Nationals and looking forward to catching up with everyone!

3-Apr-2006
Downunder Rankings - April 2006
Our first Downunder Rankings update for 2006 includes results from Otago Southland Regional contest. Results for 2001 have been removed from the table.

19-Mar-2006
Profile Interview - Peter Sykes
Experience the history, vision and imagination... as Peter Sykes leads Hawthorn Band on a new journey.

7-Mar-2006
Recording Diary - Poles Apart
A reflection by Alex Kerwin on the 'all stars' weekend as the band recorded the soon-to-be-released 'Poles Apart' CD.

6-Mar-2006
The Kiwi Diaries - Steve Miles
Steve Miles reflects on his first six months in Dunedin and looks forward to the further expansion of the Southern Brass Academy.

23-Feb-2006
Profile Interview - Jason Mears
Jason Mears has made his mark in Australian banding and now looks forward to success with Darebin City Brass-Preston Band.

19-Feb-2006
New Zealand National Youth Brass Band - 2006
Aimee Beaumont, percussionist with the New Zealand National Youth Band, tells of her experience on this year's summer course and tour.

5-Feb-2006
Queensland Youth Brass Band - 2006
Sixty-four young musicians attended this year's camp at Nudgee College, Boondall - the largest number of participants to attend a youth brass band camp in Queensland.

18-Jan-2006
Profile Interview - Davey Boyes
Davey Boyes moved from the UK to New Zealand nine years ago and hasn't looked back.

3-Apr-2006
Downunder Rankings - December 2005 / January 2006
For the first time, Australian and New Zealand bands have been ranked on the basis of National, State and District contest results.

16-Jan-2006
Profile Interview - Dr Kevin Cameron
Dr Kevin Cameron is an acclaimed music educator and conductor based in Adelaide, South Australia.