This year’s state festival involved 18 community and school bands, along with individuals in the solo and ensembles competition sections, performing and competing over the long weekend of May 29 – June 1.

Support

Hosted by Scotch College in Perth, the four day event involved approximately 800 community musicians, and an estimated audience of around 1500 people.

Country bands from the Goldfields (Kalgoorlie and Esperance), Margaret River, Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton attended the event, along with 13 metropolitan community bands.

Revitalise

The event was an attempt to revitalise the state festival which had languished over the past few years, and it certainly achieved its aims.

All Good

The venue was superb, with excellent stage and back-stage facilities, a very good acoustic, and the event ran smoothly to schedule throughout the long weekend.

School Bands a first

The 2009 Festival included school bands for the first time, and although only two bands (Scotch College and Perth Modern) participated, WABA will encourage other schools to enter next year.

Other bands participating as Festival (non-contesting) bands were: City of Perth Jazz Ensemble, Rockingham City Swing Band, City of Belmont Brass Band and Perth Fortress SA Band (by invitation).

Adjudicators

Adjudicators for the weekend were Dr Geoffrey Lowe (School Bands), Christopher Goff (Brass and Concert Bands) and Josh Davies (Solos and Ensembles).

BRASS BAND RESULTS

Hymn+Test+March=Total; Entertainment
A Grade
1. WA Brass, 48+98+49=195; 96
B Grade
1. Canning City Brass Band, 46+98+47=191; 96
C Grade
1. Town of Victoria Park Brass, 42+88+40=170; 89
2. Busselton Shire Brass Band, 39+86+41=166; 90
D Grade
1. Goldfields Brass Band, 43+90+42=175; 92

Brass Solo Championship
1. Ben Noonan
2. Wiebe Wilbers
3. Matthew Barker